Motor Vehicle Operator

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 37,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is seeking a Motor Vehicle Operator to transport patients between VA facilities, private healthcare sites and patient homes. The role requires operating various passenger vehicles, wheelchair/stretcher transports, and potentially emergency vehicles to support patient care and discharge planning.

Responsibilities include route planning, ensuring safety and on-time arrivals, assisting with patient transfers, and coordinating with clinical staff while maintaining

Qualifications

• Patient or veteran transportation experience preferred.
• Wheelchair and stretcher transportation experience preferred.
• Route planning and navigation knowledge.
• Proficiency with MDC and two-way radio.
• Vehicle inspections and routine maintenance experience.
• Knowledge of traffic and safety regulations.
• Experience in healthcare/customer service environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate patient transport vehicles including vans/buses and emergency vehicles.
• Drive routes and ensure on-time arrival at destinations.
• Assist patients with loading/unloading and secure wheelchairs.
• Communicate with clinical staff, patients and families.
• Maintain safety, cleanliness and proper vehicle documentation.

Skills

Patient/veteran transport

Wheelchair transport

Route planning/navigation

MDC usage

Two-way radio use

Vehicle inspections

Safety regulations

Healthcare/customer-service

Tools

MDC

Job description

Summary

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is looking for Motor Vehicle Operator. The purpose of this position is to operate patient transport vehicles - including emergency vehicles - patient transport vans/buses and other types transport vehicles - capable of carrying up to 8 or more passengers - to and from VA Medical Center facilities - private healthcare facilities - and other private sector areas like patient homes - railway - bus stations and airports.

Qualifiers

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/14/2026. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required - but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge - skills - and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element - which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Ability to Interpret Instructions - Specifications - etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation) Operation of Motor Vehicles Reliability and Dependability Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat - Clean - and in Order) Preferred Experience: Patient/Veteran transportation. Wheelchair and stretcher transportation. 8 -900-26 -000 GVW vehicle experience. Passenger vans and buses. Wheelchair lifts/ramps. Loading and unloading passengers/cargo. Route planning and navigation. MDC and two-way radio use. Vehicle inspections and operator maintenance. Accident/incident documentation. Traffic and safety regulations. Healthcare/customer-service environment. Communication with clinical staff - patients - and families. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Work requires reaching - turning - or moving hands - arms - feet - and legs to operate hand and foot controls. Will be required to assist patients with a variety of medical conditions and/or disabilities. Associated duties require stooping - bending - lifting - climbing - and securing patients - oxygen - and wheelchairs with appropriate securing devices. Lifts and carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds and heavier. Must follow prescribed safety procedures using appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving of heavy objects.Must be able to drive for a minimum of a four-hour period and stay mentally alert. If driver realizes they are not mentally alert - they must use good judgment in pulling over at the first safe area - road- checking vehicle with walk-around inspection - and continue driving as soon as possible.Incumbent must pass a VA Physical and adhere to all VA and DOT drug and alcohol testing and guidelines. Working Conditions: Drivers work mostly outside and operate vehicles in all kinds of weather. Drivers are exposed to dirt - fumes - and to the possibility of cuts - bruises - and broken bones as a result of accidents when loading and unloading the vehicle. Must have ability to drive in rural areas - very congested Metropolitan traffic and/or construction zones. Must safely handle patients - both stretcher and wheelchair - in loading and unloading from vans and buses. The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours - which may include evenings - weekends - and/or holidays. Shift work may be required. May be required to work overtime after normal working hours providing it is an emergency or their services are needed.

Duties

• Motor Vehicle Operator is under the supervision of the Mobility Manager
• They receives work assignments and direction regarding work methods - procedures and schedules from either the Transportation Coordinator and/or the Mobility Manager
• The Motor Vehicle Operator operates one or more types of patient transport vehicles - including emergency vehicles - patient transport vans/buses and other types transport vehicles - capable of carrying up to 8 or more passengers - to and from VA Medical Center facilities - private healthcare facilities - and other private sector areas like patient homes - railway - bus stations and airports
• Additional Duties Include But Not Limited To: Drives predetermined and/or scheduled routes or special runs
• Arrives at and departs from pickup and discharge points at scheduled times
• Operates the doors to allow passengers to enter and leave the vehicle
• Read installation maps and judges road/traffic conditions to determine the shortest and safest route
• Provide friendly - polite - and courteous service
• Enforce passenger safety and seatbelt use
• Check I.D
• cards to ensure authorization of passengers as required
• Responsibilities are to safely transport patients in a manner that minimizes disruption to personnel and ensure maximum comfort during travel
• Knows and abides by rules - laws and traffic regulations pertaining to state laws
• Use multiple variations of Mobile Data Computer (MDC) in and out of the vehicles for assigned trips and duties daily
• Employee required to work with patients - families of patients - charge nurses - doctors and other medical staff in a professional and courteous manner
• May be required to transfer neurotic patients with and without assistance depending on the patient's condition and medical approval
• Loads and unloads patients - medical supplies and may be required to perform other duties as assigned
• May operate a stretcher van - 1-ton wheelchair van - a passenger van - a large passenger bus - Dual Use Vehicles and other vehicles as assigned and needed to transport patients
• Required to pick up and deliver patients mainly throughout the Catchment area - as assigned by the Mobility Manager
• Vehicles will range from 8 -900 GVW to 26 -000 GVW with wheelchair lift or ramp
• Will follow all applicable and current laws - regulations - VA directives - policies etc
• Perform operator maintenance such as checking fluid levels and air pressure in tires - cleaning and washing of vehicles - and performing inspection checklists to ensure safe and proper operation
• Maintain records and document actions - such as operator inspection checklists/forms and accident/incident reports
• Use two-way radio (or other device) to maintain communications with dispatcher/supervisor on assignments and locations - in accordance with FCC rules and regulations
• Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean work environment
• Uses and assures proper fit of required safety equipment and clothing
• May be required to drive other type motor vehicles on a non-recurring or incidental basis
• Participates in Service Safety activities and attends scheduled safety training as directed by supervisor
• Must practice and promote safe work and driving habits and follow standard safety procedures - identify existing or potential safety hazards and promptly notifies supervisor - and initiates corrective action as required
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 11:00 am to 7:30 pm
• Position Description Title/PD#: Motor Vehicle Operator/PD01367A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorize.