The Gurney & Lift Exam

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The complete lift test consists of all of the elements listed below. The stretcher and shall be loaded with a 200-pound weight. In every case, a competent staff member will assist the candidate at the opposite end of the stretcher in a way that would be appropriate in an actual patient situation. The candidate may be coached on proper lifting technique (knee bent, back straight) and should carry out all maneuvers using such technique.

 

The candidate must:

1. Raise an ambulance stretcher from the lowest to the highest level and from the highest level to the lowest level. The lift is from the lowest stretcher position to the highest stretcher position needed for locking the legs and/or loading onto the ambulance.

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2. Load and unload the ambulance stretcher into/out of the back of an ambulance. When lifting the front end of the stretcher, the end must be high enough to lock the legs in place to wheel the stretcher and then lift the legs to place the stretcher on the ambulance.

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3. Maneuver the weighted gurney through 3 cones in a serpentine manner, forward and backwards, while maintaining two-hands on the gurney at all times. Failure to maintain two hands on the gurney will constitute a fail.

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4. Maneuver the gurney up a simulated “curb”. Failure to maintain two hands on the gurney will constitute a fail.

 

During the lift, the candidate is evaluated on correct lifting techniques, achieving the height required, manipulation of the leg release, and keeping the stretcher level in all directions (front to back, side to side) and communication.

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