Can You Be A Part-Time Ambulance Driver?

The demanding task of being an ambulance driver can be quite daunting. Many ambulance drivers often find themselves working irregular hours, or even 12-hour shifts depending on their location. However, something that many people have considered is whether or not it is possible to be an ambulance driver part-time.

The truth is that you can be a part-time ambulance driver, and it is quite common to work as a part-time ambulance. If you live in a larger city the possibility of working as a part-time ambulance is much higher due to higher demand.

So, if you are looking into a career as an ambulance driver but are not sure if it is something you want to fully commit to, then there’s no need to worry. This article will not only help you become a part-time ambulance driver, but you also get some insight as to where you can find a job as a part-time driver. So, keep on reading!

What Is A Part-time Ambulance Driver?

Before you decide to go down this route first off it is important to know what exactly it is that a part-time ambulance driver does.

A part-time ambulance driver is tasked with transporting an injured patient from the scene to the hospital. Depending on the severity of the situation the driver will need to exceed local speed limits to get the patient to the hospital as soon as possible. As you’ll learn later on in the article, special licensing will be required to operate an ambulance truck.

Although you will be with an EMT during your shift you may also be tasked with controlling the patient’s injuries while at the scene at least enough to get them to the hospital. There’s no need to worry though, you won’t be doing anything too evasive on someone during your shift!

Now that you have an idea of what it is that an ambulance driver does, you can decide on whether or not you want to pursue this full time.

Working Part-Time

If you are considering working part-time as an ambulance driver then there is not much of a difference when compared to a full-time driver. While the differences may be minimal, they will contribute to your decision making quite drastically. Here are the most notable differences between working as a part-time ambulance and working full-time.

• You’ll work shorter hours. Luckily for you, you won’t be tasked with having to work long hours, and not having enough personal time. If you do decide to go part-time you will only have to work between 20-25 hours a week, which leaves with ample time to tend to your personal life. However, in some cases ambulance drivers will work longer shifts so that they do not have to work so many days, this is a great tactic used by students who also go to school part-time.
• Your pay will not be the same as a full-time worker. In most cases, a part-time driver will get paid hourly which means they will not have a fixed salary. In this case, a part-time worker might earn an annual income of $22,000-$52,000 per year, however depends significantly on which state and county you are working in. If money is a concern for you then you may want to consider going full-time especially since there is an increased possibility of overtime pay.
• You will not receive full benefits. Unfortunately, as a part-time employee, you will not be able to receive full benefits, such as health insurance, paid vacations, paid sick leave, and other great benefits that full-time employees would receive. However, this may vary by state and company, as some companies do use their discretion and give benefits to part-time workers.

With these things in mind, you can easily decide on whether or not you choose to work as a part-time ambulance worker. It truly depends on what your situation is and how you want to move forward in your career. Either way, there are some benefits to working as a part time ambulance worker.

Becoming a Part-Time Ambulance Driver

When it comes to the hiring process, the process for becoming a part-time drive and a full-time driver is relatively the same. However, it is still important to know what will be needed of you before you become an ambulance driver. Here are the basic requirements for becoming a part-time ambulance driver.

• Get a driver’s license. If you want to become an ambulance driver then you will need to have your driver’s license. Therefore, make sure your license is up to date when you decide to go through the hiring process.
• Obtain a CPR certification. This may be provided to you when you go through your training, however, if the company you are applying to does not offer CPR certification, then you should make sure that you obtain that certification before you apply.
• Go through emergency medical training. During the hiring process, you will need to get through and pass the emergency medical training program. The training will provide you with basic medical training that is sufficient enough for you to transport a patient from the scene to the hospital safely. Remember you are not a doctor, and you are not treating the patient; you are merely controlling the patient’s injuries until you get to a doctor.
• Become a certified emergency vehicle driver. In many states, you will need a specific license to be an ambulance driver. Since you will be operating an emergency vehicle you will need to obtain a license that authorizes you to operate that specific vehicle.

As you can see there is not much of a difference between applying to be a part-time driver and becoming a full-time driver. So, if you think becoming a part-time driver will be easier than sorry to disappoint, you’ll be going through the same process as everyone else!

How do ambulance drivers know where to go? Find out HERE!

Reasons to Go Part-time

Going part-time can come with great benefits and believe it or not many people do it, especially in the medical field. While you won’t have the greatest salary in the world, it does allow for you to have one foot in the door when it comes to the medical field, which can be difficult to do for some. Here are just a few benefits of working part-time as an ambulance driver.

• You’ll get a glimpse of the medical world. As we know the medical field is quite vast, and it’s difficult to fully comprehend at times. As an ambulance, you are first on the scene during a medical emergency, and you will be thrown into multiple medical situations. This can easily give you an idea of what the medical field has to offer.
• You can figure out if this is what you want. Working part-time will allow you to figure out if this is truly the profession that you see yourself working in for the rest of your life. Being able to work fewer hours a week will give you ample time to decide on what to do next.
• You have time for school. Consider this a way to make some side money while you are in school. Most part-time ambulance drivers are students that are actually in school either working towards a nursing degree or medical degree. This will give that person more training while also obtaining their degree.

The reasons provided above are perfectly good reasons for someone to go part-time to become an ambulance driver. These reasons allow you to take your time and not rush yourself into going into a job that you may not want down the line.

Take Your Time

You should never feel that you have to rush into a career, without knowing if you’ll like it a few years from now. Working as a part-time ambulance will give you so much time and opportunity to figure what it is that you want in life. So, before you jump into a career, just remember that slow and steady wins the race!

Q&A Section

Where can I apply to become a part-time driver?

There are many opportunities available on sites like Indeed or ZipRecruiter, the job descriptions will explain what the qualifications are so that you can confirm whether or not you’ll qualify before you apply.

Do you need a degree to be an ambulance driver?

Not! All you need is medical training which you can obtain at a local trade school. An ambulance position is considered entry-level, however since previous medical experience is not a requirement, medical certifications are still a must.

Can I go from part-time to full-time?

Of course! This is very much possible in almost all departments, however it is important to note that these departments tend to have strict budgets, so if there is not enough money to be full-time now, you can be shortlisted when funds are available.

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Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.