NEMT Driver — Wheelchair Van

Dream Care Rides; Palatine (IL); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Higher per-trip pay $20–$30/hr

Company-provided wheelchair van

Free wheelchair securement training

ADA compliance certification

Flexible scheduling

24/7 dispatch support

Career path to higher earnings

Job summary

Dream Care Rides in Palatine, IL is hiring Wheelchair Van NEMT Drivers to serve patients in Palatine and the northwest suburbs. You will operate an ADA-compliant wheelchair van with a lift or ramp and securement systems, transporting patients to medical appointments and other destinations.

The role includes on-route door-to-door service, pre-trip inspections, HIPAA-compliant coordination with facility staff, and opportunities for training with free certification.

Qualifications

• Must have valid IL driver’s license and clean MVR with no DUI/DWI in past 7 years.
• Minimum age 21 with at least 3 years driving experience.
• Prior wheelchair-accessible vehicle experience preferred (training provided).
• CPR/First Aid certification required or willingness to obtain within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Operate the wheelchair ramp or hydraulic lift to load/unload patients.
• Secure wheelchairs per ADA/DOT standards (Q-Straint or equivalent).
• Transport wheelchair-bound patients to hospitals, clinics, or other care destinations.
• Provide door-to-door and door-through-door service per each patient’s care plan.
• Conduct daily pre-trip vehicle inspections of lift and safety equipment.
• Maintain the van in clean, safe, and operable condition.
• Document all trips in the Dream Care Rides driver app.
• Coordinate with facility staff, ensuring HIPAA compliance.

Skills

Valid IL driver’s license (Class D+)

Clean MVR

Background check & drug screening

21+ years old with 3+ years driving

Ramp/lift operation ability

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

NEMT Wheelchair Van Driver — Palatine, IL at Dream Care Rides

Dream Care Rides is hiring Wheelchair Van NEMT Drivers to serve patients in Palatine, IL and the northwest suburbs of Chicago. You will operate an ADA-compliant wheelchair-accessible van equipped with a hydraulic lift or ramp and Q-Straint securement systems. Wheelchair van drivers transport patients who use wheelchairs or mobility devices to medical appointments, dialysis treatments, hospital discharges, and other healthcare destinations. This position pays higher than ambulatory transport due to the specialized equipment and training involved. Dream Care Rides provides the wheelchair van — no personal vehicle required. You will receive free wheelchair securement certification and ADA compliance training before starting on routes. The northwest suburbs represent a growing service area for Dream Care Rides. Drivers based in Palatine serve Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, and surrounding communities with increasing trip volume.

Responsibilities

• Operate the wheelchair ramp or hydraulic lift to safely load and unload patients
• Secure wheelchairs using Q-Straint or equivalent tie-down systems per ADA and DOT standards
• Transport wheelchair-bound patients to hospitals, dialysis centers, clinics, and specialist offices
• Provide door-to-door and door-through-door service as required by each patient’s care plan
• Conduct daily pre-trip vehicle inspections including lift mechanisms, securement hardware, and safety equipment
• Maintain the wheelchair van in clean, safe, and fully operational condition
• Document all trips accurately in the Dream Care Rides driver app
• Coordinate with facility staff for patient pickups and drop-offs, ensuring HIPAA compliance

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 and drug screening
• Minimum age of 21 years old with at least 3 years of driving experience
• Previous experience operating wheelchair-accessible vehicles preferred (training provided)
• Physical ability to operate wheelchair ramps/lifts and push wheelchairs on varied terrain
• Wheelchair securement certification or willingness to complete certification (free training provided)
• CPR/First Aid certification required (or willingness to obtain within 30 days of start)

Benefits & Perks

• Higher per-trip pay of $20 – $30/hour for wheelchair transport specialists
• Flexible scheduling — build a schedule that works for you
• Company-provided wheelchair van — no personal vehicle required
• Free wheelchair securement training and ADA compliance certification
• Growing trip volume as Dream Care Rides expands in the northwest suburbs
• Meaningful work serving mobility-dependent patients who rely on accessible transportation
• 24/7 dispatch support and roadside assistance
• Career path to stretcher/gurney transport for even higher earnings

Valid IL driver’s license (Class D+), clean MVR, background check, 21+ years old, 3+ years driving experience, physical ability for ramp/lift operation, CPR/First Aid