Transportation Aide

SUMMARY: The Transportation Aide is to coordinate, implement, and provide restorative nursing care for all patients in the facility under the direction of the Nursing department and in conjunction with Rehabilitation, to maximize and maintain the physical functioning and emotional wellness of all the patients. In addition, the incumbent will provide the transportation of patients to and from hospitals, medical offices, dialysis centers and private residences in a safe, secure and professional manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees, directs and participates in restorative programs initiated for individual patients.
• Communicates on a frequent and ongoing basis with the Director of Nursing and Rehabilitation Nurse concerning goal setting and approaches to individual patient’s needs.
• Assumes direct responsibilities for facilitating the transition of each patient from skilled rehab services to the restorative progressive and preventative programs.
• Attends rehab rounds and communicates to appropriate staff the status of all patients with regard to rehab/restorative needs.
• Maintains restorative nursing progress/documentation records on all patients participating in any restorative program.
• Visits with each patient daily and/or as needed to assure that the program is appropriate and productive.
• Trains primary care givers in restorative techniques and assists in providing care.
• Monitors all customers with ROM and T&P orders to insure compliance of the order.
• Instructs and assists primary care givers with the application of splints, braces, prosthetic appliances, and self-help devices to assure proper application and usage.
• Directs and participates in all programs under the restorative umbrella.
• Visits all new admissions to identify restorative needs and communicates those needs to appropriate personnel.
• Assists in communicating with families concerning patient’s progress in care planning conferences or on a one-on-one basis with the family and the customer.
• Remains familiar and proficient with using wheelchairs, walkers, canes, lifts, scales and other equipment used in the restorative programs and is able to instructs others in their use.
• Puts patient care first and ensures that patients and families receive the highest quality of service.
• Provides a high level of customer service while transporting residents to and from activities, appointments and other outings.
• Provides assistance to residents including but not limited to:

1. Boarding and leaving the bus,
2. Assistance with seat belts,
3. Securing wheelchairs and walkers,
4. Assistance with groceries and packages.

• Is responsible for the safety of residents at all times. Monitors resident safety on the bus, while boarding and departing the vehicle as well as the entrance and exit of buildings.
• Responsible for general upkeep of the vehicle including:

1. Fueling vehicle.
2. Conducting preventative maintenance on vehicle to include oil level, tire pressure.
3. Delivering vehicle to authorized service facility.

• Maintains vehicle according to the requirements of the facility, including completing all required paperwork.
• Complete daily vehicle pre-trip and post-trip inspections and maintain vehicle cleanliness.
• Follows all safety procedures and protocol as dictated by local policy, federal and state regulations and standard practice. Reports all hazardous conditions, defective equipment and accidents or incidents to the supervisor immediately.
• Follows infection control procedures, including proper hand washing, wearing protective clothing and equipment when required.
• Effective communicate with facility regarding schedule progress and to receive additional instructions.
• Understand how to operate GPS, Two-Way Radio and/or Cell Phone to navigate effectively.
• Maintain accurate activity and vehicle report logs.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• The incumbent must be a registered Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) by the State.
• Active Illinois Driver’s License required.
• Driver’s License requirements are determined by the size of the vehicle:

1. Class C license with a passenger endorsement for vehicles which transport 15 or more passengers.
2. Class E license for vehicles that transport 14 or fewer passengers.

• No driver under the age of twenty-five (25) or over the age of seventy-four (74) as outlined in the insurance requirements.
• DOT compliant physical. Annual physician’s statement for drivers between the ages of seventy-one (71) to seventy-four (74) who drive vehicles which transport 15 or more passengers.
• Experience as a bus or van driver preferred
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents. Writing and computer skills are required for completing reports and scheduling.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands 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.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of this position.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to lift/carry up to 40 lbs to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• Must be able to push/pull up to 275 pounds to a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The employee is in and out of a vehicle daily and exposed to outdoor weather conditions that vary.
• The employee is sometimes subject to emotionally upset residents or family members.