This position is an integral part of the hospital service and the incumbent receives assignments from the appropriate employee in charge of patient and messenger escort in accordance with the operational procedures determined by the Executive Director or his or her designee. The incumbent will transport patients to and from the Nursing Service and all other patient areas for specialized treatment and examinations as a primary function, but will also perform such other duties as required.

Examples of Typical Tasks:

• Obtains patient escort assignments and schedules from a designated Dispatcher/Supervisor, Service Department and reports to Nurse-in-Charge.
• Introduces self to patient, explains the nature of the trip, and escorts the patient to and from the Nursing Service to a designated area until someone else assumes responsibility for the patient or given another assignment by the Nursing Supervisor and reports back to the Dispatcher/Supervisor, Service Department.
• Transports patients by wheelchair, stretcher, bed or stretcher-bed, and escorts ambulatory patients, including those with intravenous apparatus to and from various nursing units, x-ray, scheduled therapies, various clinics, other diagnostic and therapeutic units, transfers, discharges, religious and recreation centers within the hospital, accompany children to school within.
• Maintains control of patients’ charts and releases same only to authorized hospital personnel.
• Maintains records of patient transport activities including the time a patient is picked up, time of patient’s arrival at a specified area and time of patient’s return to the Nursing Service.
• Places patients in and out of wheelchair, stretcher, bed, stretcher-bed and morgue tray and obtains assistance if necessary. Positions patents on tables in such areas as x-ray, P.T., etc. and uses Hoyer lifters and other patient lifting devices.
• Escorts newly admitted patients to designated areas in the hospital complex and assists them in storing their luggage, packages, clothing and other items.
• Transports bodies and/or assists Mortuary Caretaker in transporting same to the mortuary and places in refrigerator when necessary, searches D.O.A.’s, completes the required D.O.A.’s reports, transports fetus, amputated parts or other specimen to morgue, delivers specimens, charts, x-rays, etc. to and from specified area (such as O.R., wards, laboratories, etc.).
• Responsible for the ready availability, upkeep and cleanliness of wheelchairs, stretchers, stretcher beds and morgue trays, sterilization of incoming patients’ clothing and other items when required.
• Performs such other duties as are necessary, when assigned; e.g.: collect and deliver regular and emergency requisitions for x-ray, electrocardiograph, basal metabolism, physiotherapy and other diagnostic tests and treatments, assists with transporting various equipment and supplies and other messenger assignment.
• Other related duties, as required.