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Home · Patient Transfer Service Driver

Patient Transfer Service Driver

Whanganui, New Zealand
Full-time and casual positions available
24/7 rostered & rotating shift work

Help provide CARE on the ground and be part of a team that makes a difference

Air Whanganui is a long-established New Zealand aviation and patient transport operator, providing aeromedical and patient transfer services throughout New Zealand.

Our Patient Transfer Service provides safe and reliable ground transport for patients travelling to and from hospitals, medical facilities, rest homes, airports and other locations. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, alongside our aeromedical operation and supports patients who require professional and dependable transport.

We are looking for Patient Transfer Drivers to join our team in Whanganui, with both full-time and casual positions available.

This is a 24/7 operation and the role involves rotating rostered shift work. Our drivers work across a rotating roster covering days, evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays. This is not a Monday-to-Friday position, and applicants must be comfortable working different shifts as part of a rotating roster.

This is a people-focused role where your professionalism, reliability and approach to patient care are just as important as your driving ability.

About the role

As a Patient Transfer Driver, you will be responsible for providing safe, comfortable and professional transport for patients.

You will work as part of a 24/7 rostered operation, providing patient transport at all hours of the day and night. Your duties will include:

  • Transporting patients between hospitals, medical facilities, rest homes, airports and other locations

  • Assisting patients with entering and exiting the vehicle where required

  • Providing a safe, comfortable and respectful transport experience

  • Assisting with the movement and handling of patients in accordance with their needs and your training

  • Working closely with patients, family members, hospital and rest home staff, medical crews and Air Whanganui operational staff

  • Completing vehicle and operational checks at the start and end of shifts

  • Maintaining a high standard of vehicle cleanliness and presentation

  • Completing required documentation and trip records

  • Managing changes to planned movements and responding appropriately to operational requirements

  • Maintaining patient confidentiality and professional standards at all times

The role involves transporting a wide range of patients. Some may be mobile and independent, while others may require additional assistance due to age, injury, illness or mobility limitations.

You will need to be comfortable working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances and understand that every patient is different.

What we are looking for

We are looking for people who are reliable, professional and genuinely care about providing a good service to patients.

The successful applicant will demonstrate:

  • A safe and responsible approach to driving

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

  • A professional and respectful manner

  • The ability to interact confidently with patients, family members and healthcare professionals

  • Good judgement and common sense

  • The ability to remain calm and patient when circumstances change

  • The ability to work independently while also being part of a wider operational team

  • A strong commitment to safety

  • Good attention to detail

  • A clean and tidy personal presentation

  • A genuine interest in helping people

  • The ability to maintain patient confidentiality

  • The ability and willingness to work a rotating 24/7 roster

  • Availability to work day, evening and night shifts

  • Availability to work weekends and public holidays

  • Reliability and punctuality

  • The flexibility to work different shifts as required by the roster

Previous experience in patient transport, healthcare, aged care, disability services, professional driving, rest homes or a similar environment would be advantageous, but is not essential for the right person.

Minimum requirements

Applicants must have:

  • A current full New Zealand Class 1 driver's licence

  • A good driving record

  • The legal right to live and work in New Zealand

  • The ability to pass pre-employment checks

  • The ability to meet the physical requirements of the role

  • The ability to work a rotating 24/7 roster

  • The ability to work day, evening and night shifts

  • Availability to work weekends and public holidays

  • The ability to reside in or reasonably commute to Whanganui

A First Aid qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

Patient handling, moving and assisting training will be provided where required.

Patient care

Patient transport is about more than simply driving from one location to another.

Our drivers are often the person patients spend the most time with during their journey. You will be expected to treat every patient with dignity, patience and respect while ensuring they are transported safely and comfortably.

You may be transporting patients who are elderly, mobility impaired, recovering from surgery, receiving ongoing treatment or travelling between facilities for specialist care.

A calm manner, good communication and a genuine willingness to help are essential.

Because our service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you will also need to be comfortable providing the same standard of patient care whether you are working an early morning, afternoon, evening or overnight shift.

Working with Air Whanganui

Our Patient Transfer Service operates alongside our aeromedical and charter operation.

This means you will work as part of a wider operational team and may interact regularly with pilots, medical crews, hospital and rest home staff, patients, families and other service providers.

Our wider operation runs around the clock, and the Patient Transfer Service forms an important part of that 24/7 operation.

We expect our people to maintain the same standards of safety, professionalism and care across every part of the operation, regardless of the time of day or night.

Our values are centred around:

  • Safety

  • Our people

  • Our community

  • Integrity

  • High standards

What we offer

Air Whanganui offers the opportunity to work in a varied and meaningful role supporting patients and healthcare providers throughout the region.

You will have the opportunity to:

  • Make a genuine difference to patients and their families

  • Work alongside experienced aviation, medical and operational professionals

  • Drive purpose-equipped patient transport vehicles

  • Develop skills in patient transport and handling

  • Be part of an established New Zealand aviation and patient transport operation

  • Work in a role where no two days are necessarily the same

  • Work as part of an experienced team operating a 24/7 patient transport service

Location and roster

The positions are based in Whanganui.

Our Patient Transfer Service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This means the role is rostered and rotating shift work, rather than standard business-hours employment.

The roster covers:

  • Day shifts

  • Evening shifts

  • Night shifts

  • Weekends

  • Public holidays

  • Early starts

  • Late finishes

  • Overnight duties

We are looking for both full-time and casual team members.

Full-time employees will work an agreed rotating roster across the required shift patterns.

Casual employees will be offered shifts based on operational requirements and their availability. Casual staff may be required to provide cover across different shifts, including nights, weekends and public holidays.

Applicants should carefully consider the requirements of a 24/7 rotating roster before applying. Flexibility, reliability and the ability to work across different shift types are essential to the role.

Pre-employment requirements

All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of the company's pre-employment requirements, which may include:

  • Driver licence and driving history checks

  • Police vetting

  • Reference checks

  • Medical or physical assessment where required

  • Verification of qualifications and right to work in New Zealand

How to apply

If you are a safe and reliable driver who enjoys working with people and would like to be part of a team that provides an important service to patients and the wider healthcare system, we would like to hear from you.

We welcome applications from people looking for either full-time or casual work.

When applying, please clearly indicate whether you are seeking:

  • Full-time employment

  • Casual employment

  • Both full-time and casual employment

Please note that this is a 24/7 rotating rostered shift-work position with an on-call component. Applicants must be prepared to work across days, evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays, and must be able to be onsite in Whanganui within 30 minutes when rostered on call.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date.