NEMT Driver — Stretcher / Gurney

Dream Care Rides; Palatine (IL); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highest driver pay

Company-provided ambulette

24/7 dispatch support

Training and career growth

Job summary

Dream Care Rides in Palatine, IL is hiring Stretcher/Gurney NEMT Drivers to safely transport non-ambulatory patients, working with a trained attendant in two-person transfers. This is the highest-paying driver position reflecting the required skills and responsibility.

You will operate a company-provided ambulette, perform pre-trip inspections, coordinate handoffs with hospital staff, and maintain patient dignity throughout transport.

Qualifications

• Valid Illinois driver's license (Class D or higher) with a clean driving record.
• Pass a comprehensive background check, drug screening, and physical fitness evaluation.
• Minimum age of 21 years old with at least 3 years of driving experience.
• Previous stretcher/gurney transport, ambulance, or patient handling experience strongly preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification required; EMT-B or BLS certification is a plus.
• Ability to lift 150+ lbs with a partner using proper technique.
• Knowledge of medical equipment handling preferred.

Responsibilities

• Safely load and unload stretcher-bound patients using proper body mechanics and two-person lift protocols.
• Operate power stretcher equipment and Broda Traversa chair for varied patient transfer scenarios.
• Coordinate with hospital discharge coordinators and nursing staff for patient handoffs.
• Conduct pre-trip vehicle inspections including stretcher mechanisms, oxygen equipment, and climate control systems.
• Maintain patient dignity and comfort — manage IV lines, oxygen tubing, and patient positioning during transport.
• Complete detailed trip documentation via the Dream Care Rides driver app including patient condition notes.
• Follow IDPH, DOT, and company protocols for patient handling, sanitation, and infection control.
• Provide bed-to-bed service for patients transferring between facilities.

Skills

Stretcher/Gurney transport

Two-person transfer coordination

Medical equipment handling

CPR/First Aid

Education

CPR/First Aid certification

EMT-B certification

Tools

Ambulette vehicle operation

Broda Traversa chair operation

Job description

NEMT Stretcher/Gurney Driver — Palatine, IL at Dream Care Rides

Dream Care Rides is hiring Stretcher/Gurney NEMT Drivers to serve patients in Palatine, IL and the northwest suburbs of Chicago. This is the highest-paying driver position at Dream Care Rides, reflecting the advanced skills, training, and responsibility required to transport non-ambulatory patients safely. Stretcher drivers operate a company-provided ambulette vehicle equipped with a power stretcher and Broda Traversa chair. You will work alongside a trained attendant to ensure safe two-person patient transfers at all times — you never handle patients alone. Patients transported by stretcher include hospital discharge patients, skilled nursing facility transfers, rehabilitation center admissions, and individuals who cannot sit upright due to medical conditions. This role demands physical fitness, attention to detail, and a calm, professional demeanor. The northwest suburbs represent a growing market for stretcher transport. Hospital discharge contracts and skilled nursing facility partnerships are expanding rapidly in this service area, creating consistent high-value trip opportunities for qualified drivers.

Responsibilities

• Safely load and unload stretcher-bound patients using proper body mechanics and two-person lift protocols
• Operate power stretcher equipment and Broda Traversa chair for varied patient transfer scenarios
• Coordinate with hospital discharge coordinators and nursing staff for patient handoffs
• Conduct pre-trip vehicle inspections including stretcher mechanisms, oxygen equipment, and climate control systems
• Maintain patient dignity and comfort — manage IV lines, oxygen tubing, and patient positioning during transport
• Complete detailed trip documentation via the Dream Care Rides driver app including patient condition notes
• Follow IDPH, DOT, and company protocols for patient handling, sanitation, and infection control
• Provide bed-to-bed service for patients transferring between facilities

Requirements

• Valid Illinois driver’s license (Class D or higher) with a clean driving record
• Clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) — no DUI/DWI in the past 7 years, no reckless driving in the past 3 years
• Must pass a comprehensive background check, drug screening, and physical fitness evaluation
• Minimum age of 21 years old with at least 3 years of driving experience
• Previous stretcher/gurney transport, ambulance, or patient handling experience strongly preferred
• Physical fitness to lift 150+ lbs with a partner using proper technique
• CPR/First Aid certification required; EMT-B or BLS certification is a plus
• Knowledge of medical equipment handling (oxygen tanks, IV poles, suction devices) preferred

Benefits & Perks

• Highest driver pay at Dream Care Rides: $25 – $40/hour
• Flexible scheduling with priority access to high-value stretcher assignments
• Company-provided ambulette vehicle — no personal vehicle wear and tear
• Free comprehensive stretcher transport training including Broda Traversa operation
• Always work with a trained attendant — two-person transfers every time
• Consistent high-value trip volume from hospital discharge contracts
• 24/7 dispatch support and roadside assistance
• Career growth into fleet management, training, and operations leadership

Valid IL driver’s license (Class D+), clean MVR, background check + physical fitness eval, 21+ years old, 3+ years driving, ability to lift 150+ lbs with partner, CPR/First Aid required, EMT-B preferred

Dream Care Rides is an equal opportunity employer.