Ambulance Driver - Non-EMT Driver - Acadian Ambulance Service

JOB SUMMARY:     Provide efficient and timely transportation of the sick and injured to medical facilities, nursing homes, medical appointments, etc., for Basic Life Support calls only and in accordance with local, state, national and Acadian Ambulance standards. 

REPORTS TO:         Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

EMT-Paramedic

                      Operations Supervisor/Coordinator

                      Operations Manager

                      Director of Operations

                      Regional Vice President

SPECIAL NOTATION:  While working on an ambulance, the Ambulance Driver shall be paired with a medical provider with the minimum certification of Emergency Medical Technician – EMT. The EMT shall ride in the patient compartment with all patients.

“Shuttle vehicle” shall be used interchangeably with “ambulance” when the Driver is operating a shuttle vehicle for non-emergency, ambulatory patients.

EQUIPMENT:            Ambulance; stretcher; folding stretcher; radios and computerized communications equipment; pager; fire extinguishers; simple mechanics tools; other related equipment not specifically listed may be added as new items are introduced.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  This job description is not intended, nor should it be construed, to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, skills or working conditions associated with the job.  It is intended to be a general description of the essential duties and requirements common to positions of this type and may be subject to change.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Drives ambulance in Basic Life Support (BLS) setting only, to provide safe and efficient transportation of ill or injured persons to the hospital for medical attention.
2. Provide transportation for convalescent patients to and from nursing homes, medical facilities, medical appointments, etc.; BLS setting only.
3. Assists in the handling of the patient to and from the ambulance.
4. Assists EMT or Paramedics in the efficient transfer of the patient to the receiving personnel at the destination.
5. Upon completion of transport, responsible for all assigned duties which will place the ambulance and equipment back in service (i.e., sanitizing vehicle and equipment, removing soiled linens and contaminated supplies, etc.).
6. Inspects the ambulance and reports any deficiencies for repair.  Fuel, oil, transmission fluid, coolant, wiper fluid levels, etc., checked and replaced/refilled as necessary.
7. Operates the ambulance in a safe and efficient manner, following company driving guidelines, so the safety or condition of the occupants and vehicle are not compromised.
8. Completes assigned ambulance duties (i.e., washing, waxing, interior, and exterior cleaning, etc.) as required.
9. Other driving-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. Current and valid state-issued driver's license determined by appropriate state requirements (equivalent of a Louisiana Class "D" driver's license).
3. Must be able to read, write and communicate professionally and effectively with patients, employees and managers.
4. Must be knowledgeable of company protocols, operational procedures, and safety policies related to driving, patient information (HIPAA), lifting and body mechanics, etc.
5. Minimum of one year of driving experience.
6. Must be able to drive large vehicles in normal and adverse conditions.
7. Ability to determine fastest and safest routes to pick up and drop off locations utilizing company-provided GPS devices.

INTERPERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Maintain social, ethical and organizational norms.
2. Maintain good personal motivation; develop a sense of ownership of job tasks and results.
3. Must have a sense of urgency for all work performed.
4. Ability to remain calm and composed under pressure.
5. Interpersonal and communication skills to effectively talk to, comfort, and reassure patients and family members, as well as care providers.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

1. Orientation to job requirements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical Abilities: Must be able to perform strenuous physical requirements, including without limitation, lifting and moving of heavy equipment and patients in a variety of environmental conditions.

Unimpaired Mobility: Must be able to respond quickly to ambulance calls, must physically be able to access patients located in difficult terrain and dangerous environments and locations, must be able to climb stairs and other structures, must be able to work without limitation in close and dangerous environments, such as damaged vehicles and structures on fire, must be able to carry heavy equipment and patients.

Vision: Must have a correctable vision that permits the safe operation of emergency vehicles, the reading of gauges, fine print and figures associated with driving the ambulance.

Hearing: Must be able to hear sufficiently to obtain and relay information provided by partner and other emergency personnel (i.e., dispatcher).

Speech: Must be able to speak and enunciate clearly and at a level audible to others in loud conditions. Must be able to verbally communicate in distracting environments with patients, family members, medical professionals, and other emergency personnel.

Physical activities and the amount of time spent performing each while on this job:

Weight lifting requirements and the amount of time spent lifting on this job:

Vision requirements:

Specific job duties which require the physical demands noted above

Lifting of patients from beds, floors, etc., onto the stretcher and into ambulance; carrying of patients and equipment; climbing stairs or steps; verbally communicating with patients, co-workers, medical personnel and the public either directly or indirectly via electronic communication equipment; driving the ambulance in emergency and non-emergency situations both short and long distances.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Specific situations that lead to environmental conditions can include hazardous materials, electrical emergencies, vehicular accidents, outdoor emergency settings, hurricanes, tornadoes, industrial accidents, conditions affecting driving, settings where heavy equipment such as extrication tools are in use, etc.

Exposure to environmental conditions and the amount of time exposed to each on this job:

Noise level associated with this job:

___      Moderate Noise (Ex:  business office with computers, printers, light traffic)

_X_      Loud Noise (Ex:  metal can manufacturing, large earth-moving equipment).

___      Very Loud Noise (Ex:  jackhammer work, front row at a rock concert).