NHS Patient Transport Assistant CV Template Example

The role of a NHS Patient Transport Assistant (PTA) is both vital and rewarding. PTAs play a crucial part in ensuring patients reach their appointments safely and comfortably, often supporting those with mobility challenges or medical conditions. The job is hands-on and demands empathy, excellent communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. In the UK, the typical salary for a Patient Transport Assistant ranges between £20,000 and £24,000 per year, with opportunities for progression and specialist training within the NHS. The role typically involves patient handling, assisting in transferring patients to vehicles, providing reassurance during transport, completing essential documentation, and maintaining strict adherence to health and safety protocols.

Crafting a CV that highlights your suitability for this role can make all the difference in landing an interview. Below, I’ll guide you through creating an interview-winning NHS Patient Transport Assistant CV, complete with structure, key content, and actionable tips.

Understanding the NHS Patient Transport Assistant Role

Before you start writing your CV, it’s important to understand exactly what employers are looking for. A Patient Transport Assistant provides essential support for patients who require assistance travelling to and from healthcare appointments. Employers look for candidates who are:

Compassionate and patient-focused
Reliable and punctual
Physically fit and capable of safe patient handling
Able to work under pressure and maintain professionalism
Competent in basic administrative tasks and record-keeping

Highlighting these qualities in your CV, with clear examples, will immediately catch the eye of recruiters.

Structuring Your NHS Patient Transport Assistant CV

A well-structured CV not only reads easily but also makes it simple for hiring managers to see why you’re a strong candidate. Here’s a recommended structure:

1. Personal Details
Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and location (city/town is sufficient). Avoid including unnecessary personal details such as date of birth or marital status, as these are not required in the UK.

2. Professional Summary
This is a short, punchy paragraph summarising your experience, skills, and career goals. Tailor this to the Patient Transport Assistant role. Example:

“Compassionate and dependable NHS Patient Transport Assistant with over 3 years of experience ensuring safe and comfortable patient transport. Skilled in patient handling, record-keeping, and providing exceptional care with a patient-focused approach.”

3. Key Skills
Use bullet points to make this section easily scannable. Focus on keywords relevant to NHS recruitment, which will also help your CV rank higher in online searches. Examples include:

Patient handling and mobility assistance
Health and safety compliance
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Time management and reliability
Medical documentation and record-keeping
Team collaboration and adaptability

4. Work Experience
List your experience in reverse chronological order. Focus on achievements and responsibilities rather than just duties. Include examples of how you made a difference:

NHS Trust – Patient Transport Assistant
Jan 2022 – Present

Safely transported patients with diverse medical needs to and from appointments
Assisted patients with mobility challenges, ensuring comfort and dignity
Maintained accurate transport records in compliance with NHS policies
Supported colleagues in high-pressure situations, demonstrating teamwork

When describing past roles, quantify achievements where possible. For example: “Assisted over 50 patients daily while maintaining a 100% safety record.”

5. Education and Qualifications
Include any relevant qualifications, such as:

NVQ in Health and Social Care
First Aid Certification
Manual Handling Training
Driver’s license (if required)

Even if you’re a recent graduate, highlight any transferable skills from education or volunteer work.

6. Additional Information
This section can include language skills, professional memberships, or voluntary experience, which can help your application stand out.

Tailoring Your CV for Maximum Impact

The NHS receives hundreds of applications for every vacancy. Tailoring your CV to match the job description is essential:

Use keywords from the job advert (e.g., patient care, safety compliance, time management)
Focus on your achievements rather than responsibilities
Keep sentences concise and action-oriented
Avoid unnecessary jargon, but include NHS-specific terms

Optimising for online searches is also important if submitting via NHS jobs portals or LinkedIn. Include phrases like: “NHS Patient Transport Assistant,” “patient handling,” “safe transport,” “healthcare support.”

Advice for Graduates and Entry-Level Applicants

Even without direct experience, you can craft a compelling NHS Patient Transport Assistant CV:

Highlight volunteer work, internships, or placements in healthcare settings
Emphasise transferable skills like teamwork, communication, and reliability
Include any relevant certifications (e.g., First Aid, manual handling)
Use a professional summary to explain your motivation for joining the NHS

Example summary for a graduate:

“Recent Health and Social Care graduate with hands-on volunteering experience in patient support. Dedicated to providing safe and compassionate transport assistance and keen to contribute to the NHS.”

Advice for Middle and Senior-Level Applicants

If you already have several years of experience, your CV should emphasise responsibility, leadership, and results:

Highlight supervisory or training roles
Quantify your impact (e.g., number of staff trained, patient satisfaction improvements)
Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving
Include relevant professional development courses or management qualifications

Example summary:

“Experienced NHS Patient Transport Assistant with over 10 years supporting patient mobility and safety. Skilled in team supervision, staff training, and process improvement, committed to enhancing patient care delivery.”

General CV Tips

Keep your CV no longer than two A4 pages
Use clear headings and bullet points for readability
Avoid long paragraphs or excessive detail
Use UK English spelling
Ensure formatting is consistent and professional
Include keywords to pass automated screening systems

The Do’s and Don’ts of a Patient Transport Assistant CV

Do:

Tailor your CV to each application
Include achievements with measurable impact
Proofread for grammar and spelling errors
Use action verbs: assisted, coordinated, facilitated
Keep a professional tone

Don’t:

Include irrelevant work experience
Exaggerate skills or responsibilities
Use informal language or abbreviations
Leave gaps in employment unexplained
Forget to include certifications and training

Persuasive Call-to-Action

Creating a standout NHS Patient Transport Assistant CV takes more than listing your duties. It requires strategy, careful wording, and a focus on achievements. As a career coach with over 25 years of experience, I’ve helped countless NHS applicants land interviews by optimising CVs and LinkedIn profiles to showcase their strengths.

Don’t leave your career to chance. Book a professional CV and LinkedIn improvement session today, and take the next step towards your dream NHS role: https://www.cvlondon.net/book-an-appointment/

Your interview-winning NHS Patient Transport Assistant CV is just one appointment away. Let’s make sure it stands out from the competition and highlights the skills and compassion that make you perfect for the role.

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