The Transportation Driver is responsible for providing safe, timely, courteous, and dependable transportation for residents across all levels of care at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community (SMRC). The Transportation Driver supports residents in accessing medical appointments, services, activities, and other approved destinations while maintaining resident safety, dignity, privacy, and comfort. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Safely transport residents while protecting their health, dignity, privacy, and comfort.
• Promptly report missed or cancelled appointments, wrong destinations, delays, resident refusals, or other issues to the supervisor or nursing staff.
• Secure residents and mobility devices using approved safety equipment before moving the vehicle.
• Assist residents safely during vehicle entry and exit, avoiding unsafe discharge locations.
• Follow SMRC protocols for accidents, medical emergencies, missing residents, condition changes, bad weather, or breakdowns.

• Immediately report accidents, injuries, resident incidents, unusual resident behaviors, or changes in condition to the appropriate SMRC team member and complete required documentation.
• Maintain effective communication with nursing, scheduling, providers, residents, families, and other departments as appropriate to transportation responsibilities.
• Must maintain resident confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, SMRC policies, and applicable state and federal requirements.
• When transportation responsibilities have been completed, assist with other appropriate duties within the facility as assigned.
• Attend required orientation, safety education, resident-rights training, emergency preparedness training, and other assigned in-services.
• Maintain vehicles and report mechanical or safety issues promptly, avoiding unsafe vehicles.
• Verify wheelchair lifts, ramps, securements, and emergency equipment before transport.
• Report damage, accidents, warning lights, or equipment failures immediately.
• Obey traffic laws and SMRC safe-driving rules, avoiding distracted driving and unauthorized phone use.

GENERAL EXPLANATION

• All listed duties are essential unless noted; additional tasks may be assigned.
• Qualifications represent minimum requirements for the role.
• Transportation must align with care plans, safety rules, assessed needs, and nursing instructions.
• Immediately report any threats to resident safety, health, care continuity, or appointments.
• Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are provided under applicable law.
• The Transportation Driver must comply with the SMRC Code of Conduct, Corporate Compliance Program, resident rights, HIPAA, SMRC policies, and applicable laws

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Experience: Must possess a current, valid driver’s license appropriate for the type/class of vehicle operated. 
• Driving Record: Must maintain a driving record acceptable under SMRC requirements and applicable insurance requirements.
• Experience: Previous experience transporting older adults, individuals with disabilities, or individuals requiring mobility assistance is preferred.
• Abilities: Able to accept assignments in a cooperative manner and demonstrate sincere concern for residents' welfare, safety, dignity, and individual needs. Able to recognize what needs to be accomplished and take appropriate action.
• Knowledge: Working knowledge of transportation vehicles, basic vehicle safety, wheelchair lifts and securement systems, and safe passenger assistance practices.
• Must demonstrate good judgment and the ability to respond appropriately to emergencies, accidents, changes in resident condition, or other unexpected situations.
• Must maintain a professional appearance and demonstrate tact, patience, courtesy, and a mature personality.

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Scheduled for 40 hours weekly, plus additional hours as needed for resident transport.
• Safely operate SMRC vehicles for extended periods.
• Assist residents entering/exiting vehicles and operate lifts, ramps, and securement gear safely.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, twisting, pushing, and pulling.
• Work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions, including extreme temperatures.
• Safely push and maneuver resident wheelchairs and mobility equipment.