Transportation Specialist

Transportation Specialist (Transporter)

Employment Status: PRN (As Needed)

Position Summary

The Transportation Specialist provides safe, reliable, and compassionate transportation for Almost Kin clients to medical appointments, therapy sessions, community activities, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other approved destinations. This position plays an important role in helping clients maintain independence while ensuring they arrive safely and on time.

Transportation Specialists serve as representatives of Almost Kin and are expected to provide excellent customer service while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and respect for every individual served.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Client Transportation

• Safely transport clients to approved destinations.
• Arrive promptly for scheduled pickups.
• Assist clients entering and exiting vehicles when appropriate.
• Ensure seat belts and mobility devices are properly secured.
• Provide door-to-door assistance when authorized.
• Follow client transportation schedules and agency assignments.
• Maintain awareness of each client's mobility limitations and special needs.

Client Assistance

Transporters may assist with:

• Carrying groceries or small personal items.
• Assisting with walkers, canes, wheelchairs, or other mobility equipment.
• Escorting clients into appointments when requested.
• Waiting during appointments when scheduled.
• Providing companionship during transportation.

Transporters may NOT perform personal care services unless separately trained, authorized, and assigned under another job classification.

Safety Responsibilities

• Operate vehicles safely at all times.
• Obey all traffic laws.
• Never use a cell phone while driving except hands-free when permitted.
• Inspect vehicle before each shift.
• Report vehicle maintenance concerns immediately.
• Maintain clean vehicle interior and exterior.
• Ensure adequate fuel before assignments.
• Follow defensive driving practices.
• Maintain valid driver's license and required insurance.

Documentation

Accurately complete:

• Transportation logs
• Mileage documentation
• Arrival and departure times
• Client signatures when required
• Incident reports
• Vehicle inspection forms
• Expense documentation (if applicable)

Documentation must be completed before the end of each workday.

Communication

• Communicate delays immediately.
• Notify office of cancellations.
• Report client concerns.
• Report changes in client condition.
• Notify supervisor of unsafe environments.
• Maintain regular communication with scheduling staff.

Infection Prevention

Follow agency infection control policies by:

• Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact.
• Cleaning high-touch vehicle surfaces daily.
• Wearing PPE when required.
• Following respiratory hygiene practices.
• Reporting communicable disease exposures immediately.

Confidentiality

Maintain HIPAA compliance by:

• Protecting client information.
• Avoiding discussions of client information in public settings.
• Securing transportation paperwork.
• Maintaining confidentiality before, during, and after employment.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum age of 21 years (preferred for insurance purposes)
• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid driver's license
• Clean driving record acceptable to agency insurance carrier
• Proof of automobile insurance (if using personal vehicle)
• Reliable transportation
• Ability to pass background screening
• Ability to pass drug screening (if required)
• CPR certification (preferred or required within agency timeframe)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with seniors or individuals with disabilities
• Home care experience
• Customer service experience
• Defensive driving training
• Wheelchair transportation experience

Physical Requirements

Employee must be able to:

• Lift up to 50 pounds
• Push or pull wheelchairs
• Assist with walkers
• Bend, kneel, stoop, and reach
• Enter and exit vehicles repeatedly
• Sit for extended periods while driving
• Drive in varying weather conditions

Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Working Conditions

Work is performed:

• In client homes
• In community settings
• Inside agency vehicles or personal vehicles approved by Almost Kin
• During varying weather conditions
• During evenings, weekends, and holidays as assigned

Professional Expectations

Employees are expected to:

• Treat every client with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrate compassion and patience.
• Maintain professional appearance.
• Wear agency identification.
• Follow agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain punctuality and attendance.
• Promote client independence whenever possible.

Performance Standards

Successful Transportation Specialists will consistently demonstrate:

• Safe driving practices
• Excellent attendance
• Positive client interactions
• Timely documentation
• Professional communication
• Dependability
• Strong customer service
• Compliance with agency policies
• Respect for confidentiality
• Commitment to client safety

Required Training

Prior to independent assignments, Transportation Specialists must complete:

• New Employee Orientation
• HIPAA and Confidentiality
• Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Prevention
• Infection Prevention and Standard Precautions
• Emergency Procedures
• Defensive Driving (if required)
• Client Rights
• Incident Reporting
• Vehicle Safety
• Safe Client Assistance and Transfers (if assisting with mobility)
• OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness
• Annual In-Service Education as required by agency policy