Main Function:

Responsible for the safe, timely and accurate transport of patients, medical equipment and patient-related items to their destinations enabling physicians, nurses, technicians, and therapists to perform their duties in an effective manner. Ensures positive patient, customer and satisfaction, proper utilization of body mechanics, adherence to policies, procedures and standards established by Crothall, Hospital, Departmental and regulatory agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Transport Skills

• Ensures the safe, timely and accurate transport of patients to their destination to include bringing the proper requested equipment.
• Notifies nursing personnel, clinician, technician or reception upon arrival for patient.
• Verifies correct patient identification by comparing information from pager to patient wristband and the hospital's designated 2nd form of identification on the chart.
• Obtains correct chart; verifies proper mode of transportation and confirms standard precautions.
• Adheres to all established policies and procedures including patient safety and care.
• Exhibits excellent verbal and listening skills.
• Drives quality and continuously improves departmental performance through timely response to pages from Team Transport and management staff.
• Responds to all transport requests with a sense of urgency.
• Demonstrates competency in transporting all specific age-groups.
• Follows all isolation and radiation precaution signs.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics when lifting and transferring patients to and from wheelchairs, stretchers or beds.
• Properly and safely transports patients, secures IVs, drainage tubes, etc. and secures Patient.
• Transporter must follow all isolation and radiation precaution signs
• Ensures the comfort of the patient by being attentive; offers blankets, checks modesty, and only engages in appropriate conversation involving the patient.
• Never transports patient in severe pain.
• Assists nursing (or directly) in bedding patient or moving patient from bed into wheelchair or onto stretcher. Consults with nursing personnel before lifting and transferring patient and obtains assistance when necessary.
• Alerts nursing staff immediately to any signs of patient distress or equipment malfunction.
• In accordance with the transportation of patients, utilizes wheelchairs and other approved rolling stock to carry out the essential duties of the position.
• Completes transport quickly and efficiently; immediately notifies dispatcher when assignments are initiated, delayed, canceled and completed. Interacts with dispatch and dispatch system appropriately.
• Maintains an up to date CPR qualification
• Collects and returns wheelchairs and stretchers to the proper holding areas.
• Disinfects transport equipment before and after use. Removes linen and disinfects stretchers upon completion. Maintains equipment and reports equipment needing repairs.
• Responds to emergency activities, such as code calls, disasters, etc, if under departmental scope of service.
• Uses equipment and supplies appropriately; does not cause department unnecessary expense.
• Performs other duties as assigned and when required.

Technical Skills

• Understands and applies knowledge of basic patient transport concepts, infection control practices, and
• proper body mechanics
• Demonstrates proper phone and pager handling; ensures proper functioning of pager at all times.
• Understands and utilizes self-dispatching system when required.
• Client and Customer Satisfaction/Relations
• Keeps dispatcher and manager informed of activities, needs and/or concerns.
• Develops and promotes positive effective customer service relations with patients, patient family members, visitors and staff. Ensures accurate and timely transport of patients and patient-related items.
• Takes initiative when observing patients waiting in corridors to go back to their rooms by notifying dispatch and transporting patient.
• Assists in problem solving to facilitate patient/user satisfaction; communicates patients related issues to appropriate nursing personnel; recommends and participates in the solution of on-going problems or trends.

Program Quality Standards

• Meets all performance related standards including response, active and completion times.
• Ensures timely response to all patient and patient-related transportation requests and logs intoTeamTransport(tm) dispatching system immediately in accordance with established guidelines.
• Adheres to all policies, procedures and standards established by all regulatory agencies including but not limited to Federal, State, Joint Commission, OSHA, and CDC.
• Maintains a patient/customer focus fostering a teamwork environment.
• Human Resource
• Actively participates in all orientation, training and appropriate development programs.
• Strives for professional and personal growth.
• Adheres to all Human Resource policies and procedures established by the Hospital and Department.
• Performs other duties as assigned and when required.