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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)

£24,000 Starter

to

£26,000 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 Patient transport service controller

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

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

  • Level 2 Award in Touch Typing Skills
  • Level 2 or 3 ECDL Award in IT User Skills
  • Level 2 or 3 in Business Administration

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

You'll find it helpful to get some work experience in healthcare before you apply for jobs or training.

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.

When applying for jobs, you'll be expected to have an understanding of how NHS values apply in your work.

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:

  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • leadership skills
  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • administration skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • 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:

  • make and receive calls for transport from patients, families and healthcare professionals
  • take patient details and record them accurately on computer
  • make decisions on the best use of vehicles and drivers
  • book transport slots
  • give information, advice and signpost to other services when needed
  • update manual and computerised, confidential record systems

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

Apprentice Customer Service Advisor

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: Sittingbourne

Property Management and Customer Service Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £9,984 a year Annually
  • Location: ELD LANE, COLCHESTER
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a Patient transport service controller?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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