Public Transport Driver | Full-Time

UF Health; Gainesville, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

UF Health seeks qualified bus drivers to provide safe, prompt transportation for patients, visitors and staff. You will perform pre-trip inspections, operate the bus on busy routes, and assist with wheelchairs using the lift platform while answering questions about routes and parking.

The role follows a 5-day workweek (Mon–Fri) with possible split shifts and weekend transports during high ridership. A Florida CDL with passenger endorsement, a High School diploma, and minimum age 25 are required.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, courteous customer interaction.
• Ability to remain calm and professional under stress.
• Capacity to coordinate with teams and manage groups of passengers.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-trip vehicle inspections and report safety concerns.
• Operate bus safely in heavy traffic and through designated routes.
• Load/unload wheelchairs and strollers using lift platform.
• Interact with patients, visitors, and staff to answer questions and assist navigation.

Skills

Strong communication

Emotional stability

Team coordination

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

CDL training completion

Job description

Overview

Transport drivers provide safe, prompt and courteous transportation for patients, visitors and staff. Before beginning their routes, drivers must complete a pre-trip inspection of their vehicle, including safety equipment. All drivers follow schedules and routes over the Health Center Complex and surrounding area, load and unload wheelchairs and strollers using the lift platform on the bus. Drivers routinely interact with customers answering questions about the hospital, clinics, parking, shuttle bus routes, and remote sites, they strive to make the ride comfortable and be as informative as possible. Drivers must operate vehicles safely in one of the heaviest traffic areas in town. Bus routes vary; drivers make numerous trips each day over the same streets and parking lots stopping frequently at designated stops. Drivers must be alert to prevent accidents, especially in heavy traffic or in bad weather, and to avoid sudden stops or swerves, which jar passengers. Drivers must make a pre-trip inspection of their vehicle and report any safety concerns and potential Maintenance issues. All drivers must be able to fill out accident reports when necessary. Driving a bus through heavy traffic while dealing with passengers is not physically strenuous, but it can be stressful and fatiguing. Drivers work with very little direct supervision with full responsibility for the bus and passengers.

Drivers have a 5-day workweek, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To accommodate heavy ridership demands at shift change, some drivers work split shifts, for example 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with time off in between. Drivers may be asked to work weekends for special transports.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year experience driving a class C or higher passenger bus or class B, or higher truck, or six (6) months experience with the successful completion of a state approved CDL training course. Training course may include, but not limited to, state approved school district CDL training programs and private driver training schools.
• Bus drivers must hold a class A or B commercial driver's license (CDL), with passenger endorsement, from the state of Florida.
• While the state of Florida requires a minimum age of 18 to drive within the state borders, Shands requires a minimum age of 25.

State and Federal regulations establish Bus driver qualifications and standards.

• All drivers must comply with Federal regulations and any state regulations that exceed Federal requirements.
• A national data bank permanently records all driving violations incurred by persons who hold a commercial license.
• While the state of Florida requires a minimum age of 18 to drive within the state borders, Shands requires a minimum age of 25.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require that drivers must pass a physical examination once every two years. Federal regulations also require random drug and alcohol test of drivers while on duty.
• A driver must not have more than 6 points on their license in the last 3 years. In addition, a driver must not have been convicted of a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle; a crime involving drugs; driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or hit-and-run driving which resulted in injury or death. Because bus drivers deal with passengers, they must be courteous.
• They need an even temperament and emotional stability because driving in heavy, stop-and-go traffic and dealing with passengers can be stressful.
• Drivers must have strong communication skills and be able coordinate and manage large groups of people.

Motor Vehicle Operator Designation: Employees in this position: Will operate vehicles for an assigned business purpose as a 'frequent driver' Licensure/Certification/Registration: Class A or B Florida Commercial License Current Driver Physical Examination and Medical Certificate pursuant to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Title 49, Parts 391.41 and 391.43.