5 Pros and Cons of Hospital Patient Transporter

What are the Pros and Cons of Hospital Patient Transporter? Quick job overview, as a hospital patient transporter, you transport patients from point A to point B inside the hospital using a gurney or wheelchair or sometimes bed with a nurse. With this job, you are transporting patients everywhere in the hospital, from point A to point B. In this video, I will go over the pro and con of the job so you can decide whether or not you want to become a Hospital Patient Transporter.
Pros
1. Access to most departments inside the hospital
2. Working with various medical professionals
3. Interacting with different types of patients
4. Projected job growth, easier to switch to a better job when you are inside the hospital
5. Variety in your day, new situation every everyday
Cons
1. Expect to deal with some cranky and mean or even aggressive patients
2. Emotionally draining to get attached to patients and then see them deteriorate. You have to deal with a large amount of suffering, and a lot of the time there is nothing you can do to alleviate it
3. Low Pay rate for entry-level hospital job
4. On your feet most of the time
5. Heavy lifting and moving
This is a good entry-level job for you if you are interested in learning more about how the hospital work, I do recommend this job because you get to interact with all the nurses and medical professionals from ER, ICU, to the main hospital floors, and if you become a team leader or even a dispatcher like me, you will have more interaction and experience working with each department charge nurses and the house supervisor.
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[@richardmendoza738]

I have been a transporter for about a month or so now. Honestly, i absolutely love it. It can be mentally and physically exhausting. But its well worth it.

[@nell5024]

This will be my first time working as a patient transporter ima pretty laid back but this job will have me talking more lol. I'm worrying about the time issue I heard they time you

[@richardmendoza738]

@@nell5024 heres my two cents thus far....i just passed my 90 days and had my review. Be quick, but be gentle. You'll be timed yes but judged by proficiency. Yes, I can run a patient 300 yards in 2 minutes, but i don't and heres why, I have already had patients tell me other transporters and litterally run them to their destination at mach speeds, whip around corners and all of that kinda of shit. YOU are responsible for that patient until you are not. Most older folk dont want to be jerked around and when you hit bumps in a stretcher you can seriously fuck someone up. Be safe, be smart, use common sense, and be tactful. Plan your routes ahead of time. If you whip around a corner and hit some one you WILL get a near miss and that patient WILL tell their nurse. I would rather be told that im a sweetheart to patients, than "yeah he's nice but he drives like a dick" Your going to get good with people, and you'll find you have more in common with a lot of patients than you think. Sometimes its urgent and you need to get the patient there stat. But be smart about it, practice situational awareness. Which you should do everyday. Stay calm,ask questions. My first day alone on trips was a total panic attack, however once your good at it, it will be like you were born to do it.

[@richardmendoza738]

You'll also find a lot of hospital staff talk to patients like they are children. Dont do that, be real with them and supportive and talk to them like an adult. I understand why they do, i guess...lol...but remember that every single patient that comes into your hospital is having a shittier day than you are. Be a human being to them and when you clock out and head home, feel a sense of pride for who and what you are, even if your just a transporter. Remember, the doctors and nurses and techs NEED you.

[@MrDsk777]

Any tips for an interview? Thanks :)

[@nell5024]

@@richardmendoza738 will do far so good with me I'm doing very well it will be a month at the job in two weeks in your right be quick but gentle every patient is different every job is different I learn to be easy on the bumps my trainer told me this

[@susansabino8206]

I am a retired Transport Manager for aTrauma1 hospital. You described your job to a tee. Building relationships is the key to success. My Transport team will be forever in my heart.

[@TheMommaDiary]

I’m In college for nursing and I just got a job as patient transporter, I’m super excited

[@JohnPhamHealth]

Congrats 👍

[@rebeccadebassige6804]

I'm a Patient Porter, and to be honest its a good job. I've been a porter for almost a year, i feel like this job really toughened me up a bit. 😂

[@GustavoGonzalez-us3pz]

man I was super chatty when I had surgery and just started having convos w/ the transporters and they said that for what I'm studying this would be a good start for me

[@JohnPhamHealth]

hope ur surgery went well

[@qohi]

this is very good and thorough pros and cons list. im currently waiting for the pt director to get back to me after he has reviewed my background check. these videos are really helping me out.

[@adibee88]

I am about to embark on this journey. I start this Thursday, and I appreciate your information and level of knowledge! Thank you!

[@BritneyT.]

This was really helpful! Thank you!

[@iambonedaddy2003]

This would be a great recruiting video. I’ll share this when I’m doing interviews.

[@jteague7859]

Thank you for this!

[@TITOBAP]

I am watching your video now about transforter

[@JohnPhamHealth]

What are your thoughts on the pro & con of this job?

[@MrMrmusashi]

I will have my interview next week and am fully aware what to expect. I used to be a dialysis tech for 10 years and may not be as bad as patient transporter but it is also stressful, it will burn you out. We all aspire to have more money or pay raise. Life is hard , try to change your mindset about life, work, and money . On the positive side you mentioned is that everyday is different and an adventure . I'd rather be surrounded by professional hardworking people everyday than some lazy ass just in it for the dough. Currently I worked for Amazon and pay is $15 but people don't last been there for almost a year and the door is always revolving you will see fresh faces every month or so then gone by the next month or less. If you always look for more dough and complain then you will never feel the fulfillment with your job and life.

[@JohnPhamHealth]

As I mentioned in a few of my patient transporter vids, it's a good entry-level job in the hospital. After a year, you will get a good grasp of the hospital environment and know some good hospital staff. From there, you can try to get promoted to a hospital dispatcher or transfer to another department assuming u build a good relationship w/ dept through patient transport. My old transporter co-worker transferred over to become a CT Tech aid afterward. My other transporter became a nurse and was hired after he got his license from the same hospital. There are lots of opportunities. Good luck!

[@desto2586]

What did they ask you in the interview I have mine in a couple of days

[@JohnPhamHealth]

@@desto2586 talk about your resume past work experiences, any experiences relate to hospital, direct patient care, strengths and weaknesses, lifting and moving patient, patient privacy and talking to patient, and ended with any question for the interviewer (I asked about what is the protocol for busiest time & diversion status in ER)

[@desto2586]

@@JohnPhamHealth it’s my first job

[@bradleydurbin6784]

I worked as a transporter for 10 years at Tucson medical center. And it sucked. Worst people to work for. Staff was very rude and constantly trying to get us in trouble. Management was horrible.

[@JohnPhamHealth]

Sorry to hear that. I got lucky that my team was very good and got each other back. Management can be difficult to deal w/ sometimes.

[@bradleydurbin6784]

It was a decent gig until they fired me.

[@elijahhicks5000]

I have an interview on a hospital patient transporter, is there any tips for what questions they might ask me?

[@rashaadpatmon4007]

Im finna be a patient transporter I start on Monday can someone give some advice to be a the best patient transporter

[@JohnPhamHealth]

Be yourself and show you that you care about patient, able to multi-task, good w/ time management, and able to communicate with staff/patients. also, show that you can be depended on to be alone w/ patient and not drop patient during transport.

[@rashaadpatmon4007]

@@JohnPhamHealth I gotta another job so I'm good

[@chiefkeef8902]

What are the schedules like?

[@JohnPhamHealth]

There are 3 shifts at my old hospital, morning 7-3:30pm, evening 3-11:30pm, night/graveyard 11-7:30am. I worked evening shift & sometimes do Overtime w/ night shift together

[@ashleyabel7070]

I am working 12 hour days on the weekends while in college. The schedule is very flexible! The full time schedule is 4 10 hour days.

[@victoriathomas9386]

@@ashleyabel7070 Hi wonder if the on-call transportation get any hours at all?

[@crystalcalhoun3182]

The hospital I’m at start me off at $15

[@crystalcalhoun3182]

I’m in Ohio so maybe each state is different

[@uncleruckus8424]

@@crystalcalhoun3182 now that Biden is president u might get more now

[@EastEZ82]

@@uncleruckus8424 yup they just raised pay here because of this. It’s now 16 minimum wage.

[@valeriecorin8766]

I only get paid $12.35 and it gets me mad every time, not only do I do really hard labor but I expose myself to all kinds go fucking diseases it’s so bad

[@ericamunoz5741]

@@valeriecorin8766 what city/state do you work at?

[@michelle7890]

What about when you transport the dead . Have you ever seen a ghost around the morgue

[@JohnPhamHealth]

Nah. It can be cold in the basement and maybe you will look over your shoulder once or twice if the light flicker lol

[@reneeemmerson4184]

I’m 5’1...

[@JohnPhamHealth]

Sorry... I honestly don't recommend this job for u bcuz u do have to move patients around (ex. bed, gurney, wheelchair, etc.). But, there are still some other good entry-level healthcare jobs that u can look for that might be a better fit for u

[@reneeemmerson4184]

@@JohnPhamHealth I’m strong though I use to be a lifeguard I would practice swimming while carrying at least 45 lbs

[@JohnPhamHealth]

@@reneeemmerson4184 it’s just going to be difficult for u especially during a code/busy hour & u have move patient by yourself w/o help. CNA, scribe, sitter, admin clerk, telemetry, ect. Might be better for u if u just looking to get a foot in the door and switch to another position after a year inside the hospital

[@zacharybloom1462]

@@reneeemmerson4184 Do whatcha want man. If you get hired, the hospital at least thinks you can do it.

[@taniawatkins195]

I think you should go for it

[@alfredocanto9901]

Curious if your a patient transporter do you also transport dead bodies ?

[@JohnPhamHealth]

yes. For my hospital, we do morgue transport if a patient passed away.

[@derekg3259]

Awesome

[@emireymesiha3227]

Can women be patient transporter?

[@JohnPhamHealth]

Yes. As long as you are comfortable with moving a patient from a bed to a gurney.

[@mauriceporter5492]

Another con is rude nurse and ego from them and other healthcare provider

[@JohnPhamHealth]

Sigh sad but true. Most nurses are great, but there are some smh…

[@dr.jones.3832]

How old is too old for this type of occupation?

[@JohnPhamHealth]

Honestly, it depends on your strength and ability to lift and move patients. I did have few coworkers in 40s and 50s. However, I would recommend to do it for a year or two before transitioning into more stable/less demanding physical job. It is a good entry job in the hospital, but you should look into lateral/internal transfer after a year or so.

[@adibee88]

Thank you!

[@italiad1013]

@@JohnPhamHealth what would be types of lateral move be after transporter??? I have interview but would like to know the NEXT step after getting in say working transporter for year or two…..thank you👍

[@galaxyamber8001]

Nah sounds like too much work

[@JohnPhamHealth]

Lol it is a lot of work, but u do get ur foot in the door. Plus, you can go everywhere in the hospital and learn about different departments. A good entry job if u are looking to pursue a healthcare career

[@r.d.9399]

Low pay. Overworked. Long days. Rude staff. Having others work pushed off onto you. If they offer less than $25 an hour don't do it!

[@bradleydurbin6784]

Are you still working as a patient transporter?