A person who drives an emergency vehicle is responsible for transporting patients who usually need immediate treatment along with medical professionals. An ambulance driver must be well trained in a driving school so he will be aware of the safety procedures and traffic laws when working at an extremely fast pace. An individual who wishes to become an ambulance driver must complete an emergency vehicle operation course and must learn to apply basic first aid to patients though some of these requirements may differ by state.
Ambulance drivers are mostly employed by hospitals, fire departments or private emergency vehicle for companies. If the employer will call the driver, he must automatically respond to any medical situations and shuttles with him emergency medical technicians and other necessary personnel needed in the emergency. If the EMT will find out that the patient needs more medical attention, the ambulance driver will be the one to transport the individual and the rest of the crews to the appropriate facilities needed by the patient.
It is also required that an ambulance driver must have attended a more advance driving education training in a driving school to learn more knowledge on safety driving and better understanding of the geography of his work. This is very important because the lives of the patients who are taken for emergency are in a critical condition and is often dependent on the medical attention given during the operation. The driver must be able to move quickly and knows the best route to go whenever a train or a construction project will block his way. He might be working in a real pressure but he must make sure that the safety of the passengers, him and the other drivers on the road will be taken care of. He must also learn how to drive swiftly through heavy traffic
The driver’s additional duties and responsibilities may vary according to the trainings given and required by the employer. Most employers choose drivers who are well trained in a driving school and some are given medical training for there are times that they are required to administer a first aid like CPR. Drivers are also taught how to move a patient in and out of the ambulance. They are also required to restock the emergency vehicles with new medical supplies after returning from any emergency site.
The requirements for ambulance drivers vary in every state but they must generally posses a good driving record and a high school diploma. There are other states that need drivers who obtain a commercial driver license and must complete an emergency vehicle operation class. It is also very helpful if a driver has more knowledge on the medical conditions of patients and how to deal with a particular situation during the operation. If all the requirements are achieved by an individual, he will be qualified for a good driver of an emergency vehicle and will have the ability to remain calm and perform efficiently the operation under high-pressured situations.