Patient Transport Driver PRN

Oceans Healthcare; Longview (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Healthcare in Longview, TX, seeks a Driver to provide transportation for patients with emotional or psychiatric disorders, supporting therapeutic milieu and safety. The role requires safe driving, pre-trip checks, and timely coordination with nursing and admissions staff.

The ideal candidate has at least a high school diploma and 6 months experience with psychiatric patients, strong communication, empathy, and CPR/de-escalation training, and ability to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Must work well with diverse populations.
• Must use Age, Disability and Cultural Specific knowledge in communicating with clients.
• Must be in good physical and mental health with a warm empathetic attitude and integrity.
• Must be able to work under close supervision.
• Must complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral health de-escalation program.

Responsibilities

• Effectively applies supportive behavior when assisting in control of patients.
• Oversees patient activities and ensures safety; assists under supervision of licensed nursing personnel.
• Adheres to safety regulations and infection control policies.
• Performs safety observations and fall protocol; assists with mobility needs.
• Communicates and documents patient observations and dates effectively.
• Coordinates transportation schedule with Transportation Coordinator and communicates with referral sources and families.
• Maintains on-call communication to coordinate with staff during transports.
• Communicates follow-up on patient care responsibilities and current needs.
• Participates in performance improvement and data collection.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Reading

Writing

Communication

CPR certified

De-escalation

Empathy

Cultural sensitivity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience with psychiatric patients

Job description

The Driver is responsible for providing transportation services to all patients with emotional or psychiatric disorders; to support the therapeutic milieu, and ensure the safety and well-being of those patients. The Driver practices safe driving and obeys all traffic laws. They also provide routing vehicle checks prior to use. The Driver will maintain a safe and professional standard for patient care in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and Performance Improvement Standards.

Essential Functions:

• Effectively applies supportive behavior when assisting in the control of patients who exhibit unacceptable behavior.
• Oversees patient activities and does not leave patients unattended to ensure safety; Implements patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel
• Adheres to safety regulations of facility as per policies and procedures and external regulatory/credentialing bodies.
• Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in-services to keep self-informed. Performs safety observation and fall protocol and one to one protocol as directed; assists at risk/physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
• Communicates and documents patient observation and date effectively.
• Communicates with the Transportation Coordinator to establish a schedule for picking up and dropping off patients in a timely manner; communicates with referral sources and patient families in appropriate manner while transporting patients.
• Maintains the on call phone to be available to communicate with nursing and admission staff while transporting patients.; communicates patients not able to be picked up/absentees to nursing staff in a timely manner.
• Communicates follow-up on patient care responsibilities; incomplete assignments, ongoing activities and current patient needs that effect attendance.
• Participates in performance improvement, data collection, and hospital’s quality assessment)
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements:

Educational / Experience Requirements:

High school graduate or equivalent preferred and at least 6 months experience working with psychiatric patients in an inpatient setting preferred

Qualifications / Skills:

Must be able to read, to write and to follow verbal and written instruction. Must work well with diverse populations. Must utilize Age, Disability and Cultural Specific knowledge in working with specialized populations to best communicate with those clients. Must be in good physical and mental health as evidenced by a warm empathetic attitude, respect for dignity, worth and potentiality of clients and hold a high sense of personal integrity. Must be able to work under close supervision. Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral health de-escalation program.

Work Environment:

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior. This position requires a lot of traveling; will be exposed to outdoor conditions as much as 50% of the time.