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Patient transport service controller

Alternative titles for this job include Patient transport service call handler

Patient transport service controllers arrange transport to take frail or vulnerable people to and from medical appointments.

Average salary (a year)

£18,005 Starter

to

£24,157 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a patient transport service controller

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

Good computer skills and a typing qualification could be useful to get into this job, for example:

  • Level 2 Award in Touch Typing
  • Level 2 ECDL Award in IT User Skills

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job by doing an intermediate apprenticeship in customer service.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

Paid or unpaid experience of working in healthcare would be useful. You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator or manager at your local NHS trust for advice about opportunities.

Direct Application

You could apply directly to work as a patient transport service controller.

Each employer sets their own entry requirements, though it may help your application if you have:

  • GCSEs grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English, maths and science
  • experience in a customer care role, like a call centre operator
  • a good knowledge of local geography
  • good keyboard and computer skills

More Information

Career tips

Some understanding of medical terms and the ability to speak a community language could be useful.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a patient transport service controller from Health Careers and your local ambulance trust.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • customer service skills
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As part of your day-to-day duties, you could:

  • deal with requests for transport from patients, relatives and healthcare professionals
  • take patients’ details and making sure they’re recorded accurately
  • make decisions on the best use of vehicles and drivers
  • book transport slots

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to emergency medical dispatcher or become a control room supervisor, leading a team of controllers or running a fleet of vehicles.

You could also move into training. 

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Operations and Customer Service Advisor Apprentice

  • Wage: Competitive salary Unspecified
  • Location: Halesowen

Customer Service Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Not known
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Certificate in Business Administration

  • Provider: NCG
  • Start date: 31 January 2022
  • Location: London

Business and Administration Certificate

  • Provider: ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2022
  • Location: Newport
Find courses near you

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