a patient support apparatus includes a patient support having a first patient support deck , a removable section having a second patient support deck , the removable section being configured for movement to a first position wherein the removable section is coupled to the patient support , a second position wherein the removable section is adjacent to but spaced from the first position and a third position spaced apart from the patient support . a handle support mechanism is mounted on one of the patient support and the removable section . a handle is movably mounted on the handle support mechanism and is supported thereby for movement between a first handle position and a second handle position . the handle support mechanism is configured to facilitate movement of the handle from the first handle position toward the second handle position only when the removable section is oriented at and between the first and second positions .