Patient Transporter

Responsibilities

• Transporters are responsible for providing and maintaining a safe environment for themselves, the patient, and their co-workers by following established policies and procedures.
• Receive and confirm Ticket to Ride documents prior to transport.
• Attend department, hospital, and Advocate education and meetings.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the cognitive and sensory needs and abilities of pediatric and geriatric patients and apply this knowledge when giving instructions and explanations, as revealed by competency assessments and patient feedback.
• Contact telemetry at move time and at completion.
• Be able to perform CPR if needed.
• Follow Bloodborne Pathogens, Infection Control, and Universal Precautions policies; wash hands and wear PPE appropriately; follow dress code.
• Use correct body mechanics and lifting techniques when transferring patients; use gait belt as required; obtain transfer assistance as needed.
• Clean soiled equipment after use and perform more thorough cleaning as needed; identify and remove broken equipment from circulation.
• Use proper patient identifiers for safety; report safety hazards to management.
• Complete patient transports properly; prepare patients for transport while waiting for nursing assistance; report delays or canceled tests to dispatcher and relevant hospital staff.
• Complete work assignments within established time guidelines and maintain independent operation using appropriate resources; maintain communication with dispatcher via alpha-numeric pagers and respond to special instructions.
• Assist co-workers with lifting patients and provide other help to ensure safety and efficiency; follow oxygen usage guidelines as set by the hospital.
• Communicate changes in patient schedules to the dispatcher and ancillary departments to avoid multiple trips; communicate problems related to patient conditions to the nurse.
• Assist patients/guests with service issues by providing excellent customer service; greet patients/guests appropriately and knock before entering; introduce yourself and explain intended destination; inquire about additional assistance and comfort measures; offer extra blankets or pillows as needed.
• Provide directions to patients/guests and, if necessary, accompany them to their destination; refer to appropriate personnel for further assistance; be familiar with all locations of the hospital and campus; maintain a friendly atmosphere to support patient morale; accompany the patient at all times.
• Hand off the patient appropriately; operate department equipment safely and efficiently; identify and label broken equipment for repair; clean soiled equipment with approved solutions for reuse with other patients; keep equipment in proper operating order; notify management of safety issues related to equipment; demonstrate wheelchair, bed, and cart operation per policy; use communication tools to update status with dispatchers and healthcare providers.
• Document work assignments with necessary information for departmental reference and process improvement; sign patients in and out of the unit; use tent cards when available; complete blood moves per guidelines; document ED-Radiology transports when unable to call into dispatch; turn in completed documents to dispatch at mid-shift and end of shift; adhere to schedules, breaks, and lunches; file incident reports for any patient or personal injury.
• Maintain patient information confidentiality and respect patient privacy; follow hospital confidentiality policies; do not disclose confidential information to co-workers, friends, or family; restrict patient access to their chart unless a medical professional is present; verify DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) restrictions.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills This position requires knowledge of age-appropriate needs across pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations. Prior experience with various age groups is preferred.

Education:

High School education or equivalent experience. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Good communication skills; ability to anticipate needs and refer appropriately; customer service skills; ability to read, write, and speak English; basic math; flexibility, versatility, reliability, and teamwork; good judgment. CPR certification should be obtained within the first 90 days after hire orientation.

• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and various shifts to accommodate staffing needs.
• Ability to perform lifting/transfer activities related to patients with safe body mechanics; up to 35 pounds without assistance; patient handling equipment and a second associate for heavier loads).
• Ability to maneuver and operate department equipment; routine exposure to potentially infectious specimens and patients; ability to assist in evacuation during emergencies; work environment may include hazardous conditions.
• Continuous walking; pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, twisting; unique lifting situations assessed case-by-case.
• If position has direct patient care,…