Occupation · SOC 53-3011
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
Drive ambulance or assist ambulance driver in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons. Assist in lifting patients.
Median wage
$34,330
$25,460–$46,630
Projected growth
-1.6%
Declining
Annual openings
-20
per year
Employed (US)
12,080
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
23 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingService OrientationActive ListeningActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionSpeakingMonitoring
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementLaw and Government
Technology & tools
Helpdesk or call center softwareMap creation softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Remove and replace soiled linens or equipment to maintain sanitary conditions.Drive ambulances or assist ambulance drivers in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons.Report facts concerning accidents or emergencies to hospital personnel or law enforcement officials.Place patients on stretchers, and load stretchers into ambulances, usually with assistance from other attendants.Accompany and assist emergency medical technicians on calls.Replace supplies and disposable items on ambulances.Perform minor maintenance on emergency medical services vehicles, such as ambulances.Clean and wash rigs, ambulances, or equipment.Earn and maintain appropriate certifications.Administer first aid, such as bandaging, splinting, or administering oxygen.Restrain or shackle violent patients.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Ambulance sanitation procedures — remove and replace soiled linens and equipment under direct supervisor guidance following shift completion.Patient transport assistance — support ambulance drivers during non-emergency transfers of sick or convalescent persons along assigned routes.Incident reporting basics — relay factual observations about accidents or emergencies to hospital intake personnel using standard communication protocols.Stretcher loading procedures — assist in placing patients onto stretchers and loading them into ambulances with guidance from senior attendants.EMT support role — accompany and assist certified emergency medical technicians on routine calls under close supervision.Supply restocking — replace disposable items and medical supplies on ambulances using a provided checklist after each transport.Vehicle cleaning tasks — wash and clean ambulance interiors and exteriors following departmental sanitation standards at the end of each shift.Basic vehicle checks — perform minor vehicle maintenance tasks such as fluid level inspection on emergency medical services vehicles with supervisory oversight.Radio and dispatch communication — receive and acknowledge dispatch instructions using call center or helpdesk software under trainer direction.Route awareness — read basic maps or map creation software to identify transport routes between care facilities under dispatcher guidance.
developing
Sanitation compliance — independently remove, replace, and log soiled linens and contaminated equipment between patient transports in accordance with infection-control standards.Routine patient transport — drive ambulances or assist drivers on scheduled non-emergency transfers, adapting to traffic and road conditions with minimal oversight.Accident and emergency reporting — compile and submit accurate verbal and written reports to hospital staff and law enforcement following incidents during transport.Patient loading and positioning — coordinate stretcher placement and ambulance loading with a partner, adjusting techniques for patients with varying mobility needs.EMT call support — anticipate and fulfill equipment and assistance needs of EMTs during field calls across a range of familiar emergency scenarios.Inventory management — track, reorder, and restock ambulance medical supplies using spreadsheet software to maintain readiness between shifts.Vehicle maintenance follow-through — perform and document minor maintenance tasks on ambulances and report deficiencies to fleet supervisors in a timely manner.Rig cleaning and readiness — execute thorough cleaning and inspection of ambulances and equipment using departmental checklists without supervisory prompting.Stress response adaptation — maintain composure and task accuracy when responding to emotionally demanding or time-sensitive transport situations.Interdepartmental communication — use office suite and email software to coordinate transport schedules and communicate logistical updates to dispatch and receiving facilities.
proficient
Full-scope sanitation management — establish and independently maintain sanitation protocols for linens and equipment across multiple ambulance units throughout an entire shift.Complex patient transport — operate ambulances safely in challenging conditions, including night driving and high-traffic urban routes, while ensuring patient comfort and safety.Comprehensive incident documentation — produce complete and accurate incident reports for law enforcement and hospital personnel, capturing critical medical and situational details.Advanced patient handling — direct and execute safe stretcher loading and unloading for patients with complex conditions, adjusting technique to bariatric, pediatric, or trauma scenarios.EMT operational integration — function as a reliable, proactive partner to EMTs on emergency calls, anticipating clinical needs and managing logistics without prompting.Supply chain oversight — monitor ambulance supply levels across a fleet, identify usage trends, and proactively manage restocking to prevent shortfalls during peak demand.Preventive vehicle maintenance — identify and address emerging mechanical issues on ambulances before they cause service disruptions, coordinating with fleet management as needed.Service quality monitoring — observe and evaluate own and peers' performance during transports and post-call procedures, applying critical thinking to identify improvement areas.Public safety communication — provide clear, accurate information to patients, families, and law enforcement at incident scenes, maintaining professionalism under pressure.Technology proficiency — leverage map creation, word processing, and dispatch software to optimize route planning and documentation efficiency across daily operations.
advanced
Sanitation protocol development — design and implement fleet-wide sanitation standards for linens, equipment, and vehicles, ensuring compliance with regulatory and health authority requirements.Transport operations leadership — oversee scheduling, routing, and staffing for ambulance transport teams across a region, ensuring service reliability and patient safety outcomes.Reporting system improvement — lead the development and refinement of incident reporting procedures, ensuring alignment with hospital, legal, and public safety agency requirements.Patient handling training — design and deliver hands-on training programs for new attendants in safe patient loading, stretcher operation, and positioning techniques.EMT-attendant coordination strategy — establish operational protocols governing how attendants support EMTs during calls, improving team efficiency and patient care outcomes.Fleet supply program management — build and manage supply procurement and inventory systems for an entire ambulance fleet, balancing cost control and operational readiness.Vehicle maintenance program oversight — lead preventive maintenance scheduling and compliance monitoring for a fleet of emergency medical services vehicles, minimizing downtime.Organizational culture and integrity — model and reinforce standards of dependability, self-control, and ethical conduct across transport teams through mentoring and accountability practices.Workforce development and instructing — mentor developing attendants by providing structured feedback, on-the-job coaching, and formal instruction aligned with Job Zone 2 competency expectations.Cross-agency partnership — represent the transport unit in coordination with hospitals, law enforcement, and public safety agencies, influencing policy and improving community emergency response.
Also known as
68 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Medical Transportation DriverAerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031F)CPR Ambulance Driver (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Ambulance Driver)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N051G)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N071B)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031C)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011B)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N011H)EMS Medic (Emergency Medical Services Medic)Medical Transport DriverAmbulance DriverAerospace Medical Service Helper, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011F)Certified Emergency Vehicle Technician (CEV Technician)Hospitalman (Navy 003358)Medic TechnicianFirst ResponderEmergency Vehicle TechnicianAerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N071F)Non-Emergency Medical Transportation DriverHospitalman (Navy HN)Aerospace Medical Service Helper (Air Force 4N011)Emergency Vehicle OperatorChair Car DriverAerospace Medical Service Craftsman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N071H)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051B)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011C)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N031G)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N071G)Medical Van Driver (Medi-Van Driver)EMS First Responder (Emergency Medical Services First Responder)Wheelchair Van Operator First ResponderVehicle Operator TechnicianHealth Care Specialist (Army 68W)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051C)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force 4N031D)Hospital Corpsman (Navy HM)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force 4N011D)Emergency Vehicle Operations InstructorSearch and Rescue Medical Technician (Navy 003501)Aerospace Medical Service Superintendent (Air Force 4N091)