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Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians

O*NET files this work under Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians: people who drive ambulance or assist ambulance driver in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons. With a code of RSC, this is mostly a job for people drawn to hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Social interests also help, rated 4.7 out of 7. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to critical thinking, active listening, and speaking as the ones to build. A regular part of the work is to place patients on stretchers, and load stretchers into ambulances, usually with assistance from other attendants. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Drive ambulance or assist ambulance driver in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons. Assist in lifting patients.

Main tasks

  • Place patients on stretchers, and load stretchers into ambulances, usually with assistance from other attendants.
  • Replace supplies and disposable items on ambulances.
  • Accompany and assist emergency medical technicians on calls.
  • Earn and maintain appropriate certifications.
  • Drive ambulances or assist ambulance drivers in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons.
  • Administer first aid, such as bandaging, splinting, or administering oxygen.

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Social Perceptiveness

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You get energy from helping other people move forward.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on critical thinking and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RSC takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • Ambulance Driver
  • Chair Car Driver
  • CPR Ambulance Driver (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Ambulance Driver)
  • Driver
  • Driver Medic

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.