Job Details

Motor Vehicle Operator

Duties include but not limited to: Driver operates and performs operator preventive maintenance for a variety of patient transport vehicles which typically have an approximate gross vehicle weight of 3,000 pounds and up to 26,000 pounds with occasional operation of vehicles exceeding 26,000 pounds. Lighter weight vehicles have hydraulic brakes and heavier vehicles have air brakes. Vehicles are driven on the basis of either specific trip assignments or regularly established schedule over public improved and unimproved roads at highway speeds under varying types of traffic, weather and driving conditions. Driver operates vehicles on public roads at controlled speeds to insure the patients comfort and safety. Driver picks up and transports patients under nonemergency conditions from one location to another maneuvering assigned vehicle around sharp curves and corners and through narrow streets and roadways. Driver will operate a variety of vehicles on a variety of roads at controlled speeds to insure the patient's comfort when braking and maneuvering. Driver is knowledgeable about each assigned vehicle and which routes may be legally driven and the overpass clearances, and other restrictions on such routes. The drivers assist the patient and accompanying medical personnel in loading, unloading and securing wheelchair and litter patients. Driver is the first contact with the Veterans and is responsible for making the first positive impression. Driver will interact in a courteous and respectful manner with a wide variety of people daily. Driver will operate passenger shuttle vans, panel vans, box trucks, or buses over a variety of routes and arrive at and depart from pick up and discharge points at scheduled times. Driver is required to plan the daily primary and alternate routes and know applicable laws and restrictions pertaining to the route. Driver also may operate shuttle vans or buses on special runs for meetings and other activities. The driver checks authorized passes on all passengers. They adhere to all State, local, and installation traffic laws and ordnances. They are required to maneuver the vehicle in and out of constricted areas including narrow city streets and congested parking lots. Must be skilled in the operation of multi-passenger, dual axle, air brakes, hydraulic brakes vehicles. Must be familiar with National Department of Transportation and multi-state guidelines/policies governing motor vehicle operators and well versed in every aspect of patient safety during transport. Driver will have skill in manipulating controls for starting, stopping, backing, and driving the vehicle in all types of traffic, weather and road conditions. Driver must have knowledge of the height, width, length, weight, and braking systems of the various vehicles in order to judge overhead and side clearances, the turning radius, braking distance, and the safest assistance to be maintained from other vehicles. The driver is required to have knowledge to make more difficult judgments concerning loading and arranging cargo, overhead and side clearances, the turning radius, braking distance, and the distance to be maintained from other vehicles. The driver will know how to be selective in determining which routes to take because of the size and weight of the vehicle and the laws restricting the use. Driver has skill in driving the various vehicles in various road conditions to transport patients, goods and resources to their destinations, and know how to properly load and secure litter patients, supplies, equipment, and goods in the vehicle. Drivers of passenger shuttle vans must know the route and the time schedule to follow, and have skill in applying the braking and maneuvering the vehicle to avoid jostling the passengers. In connection with special routes or tour trips, the driver has the ability to deal effectively with people in a hospitable manner. Also, the driver has the skill in selecting alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic or other delaying conditions, and skills in map reading in order to reach unfamiliar locations. Driver will be required to know office automation duties specifically, Microsoft Office (MS) to communicate using MS Outlook, utilize MS Word and Excel and Training Management System to maintain annual competencies. TMS work is routine and straightforward, requiring the execution of simple or well-defined functions. Driver will be required to attend job-related skills training as coordinated by the Supervisor of Gardener & Transportation Department with input from the VTS Mobility Manager.