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
Service OrientationCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionActive LearningOperation and ControlMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingWritingTime ManagementCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingPersuasionOperations MonitoringNegotiationTroubleshootingLearning StrategiesManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceRepairingManagement of Material ResourcesSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsEquipment SelectionSystems EvaluationOperations AnalysisScienceTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementLaw and GovernmentTransportationEducation and TrainingMedicine and DentistryTelecommunicationsAdministrativeCommunications and MediaPsychologyComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsMechanicalGeographyForeign LanguagePersonnel and Human ResourcesTherapy and CounselingBiologyChemistryEconomics and AccountingEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingSales and MarketingPhysicsPhilosophy and TheologySociology and AnthropologyFood ProductionHistory and ArcheologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Computer aided dispatch softwareMapping softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Assisting and Caring for OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentGetting InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsProcessing InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesThinking CreativelyEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkTraining and Teaching OthersWorking with ComputersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesAnalyzing Data or InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
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
30 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Ambulance AttendantAmbulance DriverCare AttendantCertified Emergency Vehicle Technician (CEV Technician)Chair Car DriverClass B DriverCPR Ambulance Driver (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Ambulance Driver)DriverDriver MedicEmergency Care Attendant (ECA)Emergency Medical Vehicle OperatorEmergency Vehicle Operations InstructorEmergency Vehicle OperatorEmergency Vehicle TechnicianEMS Driver (Emergency Medical Services Driver)EMS First Responder (Emergency Medical Services First Responder)EMS Medic (Emergency Medical Services Medic)First ResponderHospital CarrierMedic TechnicianMedical Transport DriverMedical Transportation DriverMedical Van Driver (Medi-Van Driver)Mobile Health Vehicle OperatorMobile Medical Van Advanced PractitionerNon-Emergency Medical Transportation DriverPatient CarrierTransport MedicVehicle Operator TechnicianWheelchair Van Operator First Responder