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At Am-Tran, training isn't a box to check on an onboarding list. It's the foundation of our entire operation and a reflection of our core philosophy: we invest in people. Our comprehensive program transforms new hires into skilled professionals who understand they aren't just moving boxes. They're protecting patient health, representing our company, and building capabilities that will serve them throughout their careers, whether that's with us or wherever they go next.
Here's what makes our approach different. We don't just train people to do a job. We help them develop skills they can take anywhere. Problem-solving, communication, customer service, professional judgment. These are the kinds of capabilities that make someone a great employee at Am-Tran, but they're also what make our drivers desirable hires in healthcare, real estate, administrative work, and beyond. We're genuinely proud when people move on to pursue their passions in other fields with the skills they gained here. It means we've done our job well, and it's part of what makes Am-Tran a place people want to work.
We sat down with Alex Sanchez, operations supervisor, and Jim Hobbs, president, to talk about how our training program works and why it matters. Alex brings the day-to-day details of training execution. In his 14 years at Am-Tran, he's worked as a driver, dispatcher, and now trains and oversees new drivers. Jim provides the high-level vision behind our approach. As president for over 20 years, he's shaped the training program to align with Am-Tran's philosophy and remains deeply passionate about its impact.
Our Training Program
We've designed our training program to develop well-rounded professionals, not just competent couriers. That means teaching both the technical requirements of medical logistics and the soft skills that matter in any workplace: clear communication, strong customer service, and sound judgment. Our approach to teaching new drivers involves a mix of classroom and hands-on training.
How We Train
Every new driver at Am-Tran completes a structure training program that progresses through three distinct phases.
- In-House Training. We start with videos and in-person instruction on the technical knowledge drivers need. We test new hires on these materials before they can move on to hands-on training.
- Hands-On Training. Next, new drivers spend two weeks in the field where they learn through observation and guided practice. For the first few days, they shadow a trainer to see how seasoned couriers handle real deliveries. Gradually, they take on more responsibility until they’re confident in managing deliveries from pickup to dropoff.
- Supported Independence. At this point, new drivers graduate to working independently, but they’re never on their own. Dispatch and management remain actively involved, tracking how they do and providing guidance whenever needed.
What We Cover
Our training program addresses the technical and professional skills needed to be in this line of work to ensure our drivers don’t just do the job right, but do it well and to build capabilities that will serve them throughout their careers.
The Technical Foundation
It can’t be understated how important the technical training is to our program. Medical transports have unique requirements, and the stakes are high because patient health is on the line. That's why our technical training is thorough, tested, and renewed annually to ensure every delivery meets the high standards that healthcare logistics demands.
Bloodborne pathogen awareness, HIPAA compliance and patient privacy requirements, and safe handling of hazardous materials are just a few of the technical skills drivers are trained on. For a full breakdown of what we teach, check out our blogs on the fundamental and advanced certifications our drivers undergo.
Along with the medical courier skills, new drivers learn fundamentals that apply to any logistics job. Chain of custody documentation, temperature-controlled transport protocols, how to find delivery information and special instructions, and proper package handling procedures, for example.
Developing Well-Rounded Professionals
In addition to the technical training, and just as important, our training focuses on building a professional mindset. That starts with making a good first impression. “These are the people that customers see day-in and day-out,” says Jim. “The impression they leave is more important than anything that we as managers can do behind the scenes.” Wearing your uniform properly, having your ID badge visible, making eye contact, how you greet someone. These small details establish trust and signal professionalism.
It includes learning to communicate clearly. We teach them that good communication is more about attitude than perfect language. It's knowing when to ask questions, how to keep dispatch informed, and how to interact with customers in a way that shows competence and respect. The training builds confidence in our new drivers that carries through in every delivery.
We also focus on problem-solving and professional judgment. This work requires people who can think on their feet, who know when to handle something themselves and when to call for backup. Through hands-on training and ongoing feedback, drivers develop this judgment.
Why do we do all this? For starters, it’s this professional mindset that turns a trained worker into a reliable professional. But more importantly, it’s because our drivers aren’t just dropping off packages. They’re part of someone’s care and how they handle that moment matters. “Here’s an example,” says Jim. “Delivering prescription medications is pretty straightforward. But when you deliver to a hospice patient's house and a caregiver or family member answers the door, it really strikes home to you the importance of what you're doing.” You can only really learn that through experience, but we give them the foundation to approach it with empathy and professionalism during the hands-on training.
Continuous Improvement and Accountability
Training doesn’t end after the first few weeks. Our drivers renew their training annually, ensuring that everyone stays current on best practices and any updates to protocols or regulations.
We’ve also built daily accountability into our operations. Management and dispatch work together to ensure each job is properly closed out. This process serves as a feedback loop, helping us identify when drivers might need additional support or reinforcement in specific areas.
The goal is simple. Every driver should feel confident and fully supported in their role. When that happens, exceptional service follows naturally.
Building Careers, Not Just Filling Positions
Our training philosophy reflects a broader commitment to our employees. We’re not just teaching people how to deliver medical specimens. We’re helping them develop transferable skills that will serve them throughout their careers, whether that’s at Am-Tran or elsewhere. “You can carry on the skills that are taught here to do anything,” says Alex. “These are not just skills for work, they’re skills for life.”
"You can carry on the skills that are taught here to do anything. These are not just skills for work, they're skills for life."
Many of our employees are immigrants who may feel nervous about speaking English or navigating American workplace culture. “We want to help them feel confident,” says Jim. “We want to show them that customer service is an attitude as much as anything, and that with a smile and the knowledge that dispatch is there to help them they will be seen as professionals.” That confidence opens doors.
“We are really, really proud of the drivers that ultimately move on to greater things for themselves,” says Jim. We’ve had team members become bookkeepers, factory workers, real estate agents, and healthcare workers at the very hospitals we serve. We like to say they’ve graduated from Am-Tran, and we consider that a success. Some eventually return to us because they value the environment and culture we’ve built.
We’ve also had employees who have been with us for many years, like Alex. Their longevity speaks to something important: Am-Tran is a place where people can build careers, develop skills, and feel valued for their contributions. Alex adds: "We have drivers that have been with us for a long time. There are others who 'graduated,' are doing awesome, and who we still run into. We also have plenty of drivers who have moved on and come back. Why? Because Am-Tran is a great place to be. It's a great place to learn."
What This Means for Our Customers
When you work with Am-Tran, you're not just hiring a courier service. You're partnering with a company that treats its employees with respect, invests in their professional development, and ensures they have the skills to represent your organization professionally.
When we invest in training and create a culture where employees feel proud of their work, that translates directly into better service for you. "We make sure that our drivers have the skills to do their jobs professionally and that they're proud of the work they're doing," says Jim. "When we do this right, our employees feel good about their time at Am-Tran and that carries over to the way they interact with customers."
"We make sure that our drivers have the skills to do their job professionally and that they're proud of the work they're doing. When we do this right, our employees feel good about their time at Am-Tran and that carries over to the way they interact with customers."
You get peace of mind knowing that the people handling your specimens and pharmacy products are well-trained, confident, and proud of the company they represent. They understand the stakes. They know what they're doing. And they genuinely care about getting it right.
There's another benefit worth mentioning. Many of our employees are genuinely interested in the healthcare space, and Am-Tran gives them a window into that world. We're teaching them to act professionally, communicate effectively, and understand healthcare operations. That means if they eventually transition to working directly for one of our healthcare partners, they're ready from day one. We've seen it happen many times. Our drivers have moved into roles at the hospitals and clinics we serve, bringing the professionalism and work ethic they developed with us. It's a pipeline that benefits everyone.
That's not just good business practice. It's the Am-Tran difference.
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