Patient Transport Driver - Full-Time

Remuneration: £28,000 – £30,000 depending on experience

Making every journey part of recovery

We are seeking a professional, compassionate and reliable Patient Transport Driver to join Castle Craig Hospital’s Facilities Team and help deliver a safe, respectful and recovery-focused transport service for our patients.

This is a newly created role and an exciting opportunity to become part of a dedicated healthcare team, supporting patients throughout their treatment journey. As one of the first and last people our patients may encounter during admission and discharge, you will play an important role in representing the hospital’s values, standards and commitment to exceptional care. While patient transport will be the primary focus of the role, the successful candidate will also provide support with facilities and operational activities during quieter periods when transport services are not required. This additional support will help ensure the smooth day-to-day running of hospital services while maintaining a strong focus on the patient experience.

The role will play a vital part in supporting the patient journey by providing safe and professional transport for admissions, discharges, airport transfers, medical appointments, recovery meetings and therapeutic activities.

The successful candidate will ensure patients are treated with dignity, respect and compassion at all times whilst maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism and safeguarding.

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Purpose of the role

The Patient Transport Driver is primarily responsible for the safe, timely and professional transportation of patients. During periods when transport services are not required, the post-holder will provide support with hospital-related deliveries and wider facilities activities to support the smooth operation of the hospital.

Working closely with colleagues across the hospital, approved external transport providers and the Hospital Porter, the post-holder will help coordinate transport arrangements whilst ensuring a positive and recovery-focused experience for patients.

This role forms part of the wider Facilities Team and, when transport duties allow, will provide support with general operational, delivery and facilities-related tasks to support the smooth day-to-day running of the hospital.

As this is a newly established service, flexibility and adaptability will be essential as the transport model develops and evolves.

While patient transport will be the primary focus of the role, the post-holder will support the wider facilities team with operational and facilities-related duties during periods when transport services are not required.

Duties and responsibilities

Patient transport

Transport patients safely to and from airports, admissions and discharges
Provide transport for medical, dental, optical and other healthcare appointments
Support attendance at recovery meetings, therapeutic activities and community outings
Assist with transportation of patient luggage and personal belongings
Ensure a professional, respectful and supportive experience for all passengers
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times
Uphold strict confidentiality regarding patient information and treatment
Act as a positive ambassador for Castle Craig, delivering a welcoming and reassuring experience during patient journeys
Act as chaperone for patients during outside visits

Vehicle and transport administration

Conduct routine vehicle safety inspections and daily vehicle checks
Maintain vehicle cleanliness and presentation to a high standard
Report maintenance concerns, defects or incidents promptly
Complete transport records, mileage logs and associated administration accurately
Assist with journey planning and scheduling as required
Ensure compliance with road traffic legislation, organisational policies and health and safety requirements

Facilities and operational support

Work collaboratively with the Recovery Workers, Hospital Porter and wider Facilities Team
Support hospital collections, deliveries and general errands
Assist with operational and facilities-related tasks during quieter periods
Liaise professionally with approved external taxi providers where transport support is required
Provide flexible support across the organisation as reasonably requested
Support the smooth day-to-day operation of hospital services as required

Please note: As the hospital’s in-house transport service continues to develop, the responsibilities associated with this role may evolve. Flexibility and adaptability are essential.

Person specification

Essential

Full UK Driving Licence with a clean or satisfactory driving record
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to remain calm, patient and professional when supporting individuals who may be experiencing emotional distress, anxiety or other health-related challenges.
Ability to build positive relationships whilst maintaining professional boundaries
Understanding of confidentiality, GDPR and safeguarding responsibilities
Ability to work independently and use initiative
Good organisational skills and attention to detail
Flexible approach to working hours and service demands
Willingness to undertake mandatory training
Ability to satisfy Enhanced PVG disclosure requirements

Desirable

Experience transporting vulnerable adults
Experience within healthcare, mental health, social care or recovery services
Personal or professional experience of addiction treatment and recovery environments
Patient transport or professional driving experience
First Aid qualification
Knowledge of safeguarding, professional boundaries and confidentiality requirements
Experience of driving multi-passenger vehicles
Mental health or addiction awareness training

Working hours

40 hours per week, worked as rostered across 7 days
Working hours will be rostered according to operational requirements and patient transport needs. As patient admissions, discharges and airport transfers may take place during early mornings, evenings and weekends, flexibility in working patterns will be required. The exact shift pattern for this newly created role is currently being developed and may evolve as the service becomes established.
Flexibility will be required to meet the operational needs of the service.
Weekend working will form part of the role and will be scheduled on a rota basis to meet operational requirements. The frequency of weekend shifts is anticipated to be occasional, although flexibility will be required to support patient transport needs.
The service will operate in conjunction with approved external taxi providers and existing facilities staff to ensure continuity of transport provision
Shift patterns will continue to develop as the service becomes established

What we offer

Competitive salary
Company pension contribution
29 days leave per annum inclusive of statutory bank holidays
Full induction and training programme
Ongoing training in safeguarding, confidentiality, professional boundaries, mental health awareness and addiction awareness
Supportive and friendly working environment
Opportunity to contribute directly to patient care and experience
Lunch and refreshments
Free on-site parking
Sick pay scheme
Use of hospital gym
Discounts in the hospital shop
Employee wellbeing support
Ongoing in-service training and development opportunities

About us

Delivering compassionate care and achieving the best outcomes for people suffering from addiction and related mental health conditions is at the heart of everything we do. All of us at Castle Craig are committed to this purpose.

Castle Craig Hospital is a centre of excellence in addiction treatment, operating an abstinence-based, 12-Step-informed programme since 1988. We are located in the Scottish Borders, approximately 45 minutes from Edinburgh and 50 minutes from Glasgow.

Our patients travel from across the UK and internationally to access treatment. The Patient Transport Driver will play an important role in ensuring that every stage of the patient journey reflects the professionalism, compassion and standards for which Castle Craig is recognised.

Our commitment

We are committed to providing a safe, professional and recovery-focused environment for all patients. Successful candidates will be expected to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, compassion and professionalism.

Safer recruitment

Castle Craig is committed to safer recruitment practices. Appointment to this role will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including references, driving licence verification and an Enhanced PVG check where applicable.

How to apply

Pre-screening questions

Are you authorised to work in the United Kingdom and will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status? Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Castle Craig is located in a rural setting near West Linton with limited public transport links. Do you have access to your own vehicle or reliable private transport to commute to work?