Wheelchair Van Driver

JOB TITLE: Wheelchair Van Driver

DEPARTMENT: Operations

REPORTS TO: Assistant Operations Manager

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

EFFECTIVE DATE: 2/2012

REVISION DATE: 2/2012

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Drives a wheelchair accessible vehicle transporting clients who utilize a wheelchair. Ensures the safe and timely transport

of these clients while providing a comfortable service from the origin of the trip until reaching the final destination. Acts

as a representative of the company while on duty.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Will transport various clients throughout Northeast Ohio. Will need ability to run route as scheduled without variation using a GPS navigation device.
• Greet our clients in a friendly and professional manner; creates a pleasant environment for the clients during their ride.
• May work with clients who are Developmentally Disabled and will obtain certification of training issued by Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
• Transports clients in wheelchair up or down ramps; ensures client’s wheelchair has been safely tied down and secured.
• When working with clients will need to provide “Door to Door” service bringing clients to their residence (home or nursing facility) and to the exact location of the medical appointment.
• When working with clients, the driver must always assist clients by carrying their personal belongings and providing arm assistance without hesitation.
• When working with nursing home or hospital staff, the driver will accept responsibility for clients’ medical papers and ensure delivery of these papers to the destination along with the client.
• Will provide a high level of professionalism in working with staff of medical facilities
• Will need to be able to secure a diverse range of wheelchairs including large, electric and scooter style mobility devises.
• Will have the ability to multi-load and secure multiple wheelchair clients in a vehicle.
• Ensure all mileage is entered into Nextel. Close out Nextel at the end of each shift
• Collects COD’s as directed.
• Keeps dispatch updated on status throughout the day while transporting clients and/or while waiting for next assignment.
• Conducts a vehicle pre-trip inspection prior to leaving base to ensure vehicle is road ready and all necessary equipment to perform job is accounted for.
• Conducts a vehicle post-trip inspection immediately upon return to base to ensure there are no clients remaining on vehicle and to document condition of vehicle.
• Maintains cleanliness of company vehicles throughout the day.
• Becomes familiar with and follows the Drivers’ Policies and Procedures Handbook.
• Complies with State of Ohio traffic laws.
• Must maintain professional appearance though compliance with uniform policy and personal hygiene habits
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or GED is required. Prefer over five years of experience driving a private or commercial vehicle is preferred.
• Skills:
• Certifications - Valid State of Ohio driver’s license
• Mathematical - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers.
• Language - Ability to read work-related documents and write trip information. Ability to effectively respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to communicate in an understandable and professional manner.
• Reasoning - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Equipment - Ability to use a Nextel, GPS unit, telephone, and calculator.
• Other Skills - Ability to operate at the pace of the business in order to meet deadlines. Ability to plan and prioritize. Ability to remain calm and patient when dealing with difficult customers.

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Oral Communication - Listens and gets clarification.
• Written Communication - Writes clear and informative statements; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Promotes a harassment-free environment.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Works with integrity and fairly; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization's goals and values; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Judgment - Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Planning/Organizing - Uses time efficiently.
• Professionalism - Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials correctly.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals;
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Asks for and offers help when needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met

by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to sit, crouch, talk, hear and speak to others in person by Nextel. The employee is frequently required to walk, and use hands to write or handle, push or pull, assist and lift. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to stand and twist. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

REQUIREMENTS

With over 30 years of experience providing transportation and managing transportation benefit programs Provide A Ride is uniquely capable of providing the highest quality services as safely and efficiently as it can be done, at the highest possible value.

To achieve this value, Provide A Ride employs a variety of different service models that can be uniquely tailored to a specific customers needs including:

• Public Transit Systems
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Independent Contractors
• TNC (Rideshare) Integration

In addition, Provide A Ride owns and operates the largest fleet of privately owned vehicles in Ohio and has employees throughout the state. This capability to leverage asset based transportation against brokered transportation yields the best results both in terms of service delivery as well as cost control.