Patient Transport Services (PTS) Driver

As a Patient Transport Services (PTS) Driver, you will help people get to and from healthcare appointments safely and comfortably.

You'll provide support to patients who may need extra assistance, make sure journeys run smoothly and on time, and help people feel relaxed and cared for during their travel. Every day, you'll play an important role in helping patients access the care and treatment they need.

Role Characteristics

Drive patients to and from health and care appointments
Help passengers get in and out of vehicles safely
Provide reassurance and support during journeys
Follow planned routes and schedules efficiently
Check vehicles are clean, safe, and ready for use
Communicate clearly with patients, carers, and healthcare staff

Skills

Communication
Customer service
Following instructions
Operating equipment
Reliability

Day in the life

Watch the video to learn more about the Patient Transport Service.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

Volunteering or work experience

BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels

Apply directly

GCSEs

How to become

There are several ways to start a career in Patient Transport Services (PTS), whether you're leaving education, looking for your first job or changing careers.

Here are some ideas, and you can explore current opportunities in the section below.

Study a course or qualification - useful qualifications include GCSEs in English and Maths, health and social care-related courses, travel and transport qualifications, T Levels and BTECs. These can all help you to develop knowledge, skills and prepare for work.
Build workplace experience - this could be paid work, volunteering, or work experience online or in-person in healthcare organisations, care homes, community organisations, transport services or customer service settings, helping you to develop skills in communication, teamwork, reliability, empathy and customer care.
Complete a pre-employment programme - a short course which supports you to gain confidence, skills and experience helping you prepare for work. These programmes may include customer service, employability skills, health and care awareness, and interview preparation.
Apprenticeships - you can gain experience in the workplace whilst also studying a qualification in Passenger Transport Driving, Customer Service, Healthcare Support or related apprenticeship programmes.
Applying directly - employers will want you to have good English, maths and IT skills. This doesn’t always mean you need a qualification, but you may need to do an assessment or skills test. You'll usually need a full driving licence and a good driving record.
Moving from another role - think about how you'll be able to transfer your skills in driving, customer service, care, hospitality, logistics, retail or community support into a PTS Driver role. Communication, patience, reliability and the ability to support people with different needs are particularly valuable skills to build and demonstrate.

Drivers have to have the correct driving licence for the vehicle they drive. Most employers expect you have a driving licence when you apply. NHS and ambulance service trusts use vehicles of different sizes, so check carefully which classifications you need on your licence.

Where can this role lead

As a Patient Transport Services (PTS) Driver, there are lots of opportunities to build on your skills and explore different careers in health and care. You could specialise in roles such as Porter or Ward Housekeeper, move sideways into roles like Healthcare Support Worker, Clinical Support Worker, Care Assistant or Care Navigator, or progress into leadership positions such as Team Leader, Supervisor or Driving Instructor. If you'd like a more hands-on caring role, the communication, empathy and patient-support skills you develop as a PTS Driver can provide a strong foundation for moving into direct care roles such as Healthcare Support Worker, Clinical Support Worker or Care Assistant.