The Average Salary of a Hospital Transporter in Birmingham, Alabama
Hospital transporters are more commonly called patient transporters or patient transport attendants, although they also transport equipment, specimens and medical records. Some hospital transporters also provide directions to patients and visitors entering the hospital. The average salary of a hospital transporter in Birmingham, Alabama, is similar to the national average for this occupation.
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Job Features
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An individual in this occupation transports patients to and from areas around a hospital or medical center with a wheelchair, or a vehicle if transferring them to a building some distance away. The transporter helps patients move into and out of vehicles, and into and out of beds and wheelchairs. He also assists with moving patients by stretcher and helping to move patients into and out of ambulances. He must transport any equipment the patient needs as well, such as oxygen tanks and intravenous pumps. Hospital transporters also pick up specimens, medical records and other items at assigned locations and deliver them to the requested destinations.
Salary Range
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The median salary of a hospital transporter in Birmingham was about $22,720 per year as of February 2011, as noted by Salary.com. The middle 50 percent of those on the earnings scale were making $20,450 to $25,830 per year. The bottom 10 percent had yearly salaries below $18,390, and the top 10 percent were making more than $28,650. The nationwide median salary for hospital transporters was similar, at about $23,730 per year.
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Comparisons
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Median hospital transporter salaries in cities relatively close to Birmingham were lower. Hospital transporters in Anniston, for instance, were making about $20,840 per year as a median salary in February 2011. Those in Montgomery had a median annual salary of $20,930, in Gadsden $21,450, in Decatur $21,500 and in Tuscaloosa $21,780.
Requirements
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The occupation of hospital transporter does not require formal training; some employers do not even require a high school diploma, as indicated by job listings at Indeed.com. The work calls for an ability to deal with unpleasant situations, such as working with accident victims and patients who have serious illnesses. Some hospital transporters assist with transporting deceased bodies to the morgue. The job also requires physical strength and stamina. Transporters must be able to lift and position patients, move heavy patients in wheelchairs and carry equipment. The work involves extensive standing and walking. Some people find the physical nature of this job to be an advantage. An article by Elizabeth A. Pooley, published in KnoxNews.com on December 3, 2008, reports on an overweight man who lost 150 pounds during five years at this job.
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References
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- Photo Credit Hospital image by Raulmahón from Fotolia.com
