The Effects of Hiring Unqualified Drivers

Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) companies provide a much-needed service to people who are sick, elderly, disabled or otherwise unable to drive themselves to and from doctors’ appointments, dialysis treatment, x-rays, therapy, or other medical treatments. Unfortunately, however, NEMT companies providing such services often employ inexperienced or untrained drivers and staff, and sadly, even use vehicles which are not equipped with necessary safety features. As a result, many people who have no choice but to utilize the services of non-emergency transport companies – people who need specialized transportation and deserve extra care and attention – suffer catastrophic injuries while in the custody and control of non-emergency transport companies. It is the duty of the driver to ensure that the patient/passenger is safely transported to their destination.

Passenger safety is the number one reason to employ drivers who are qualified to do the job. Without proper knowledge and training, drivers subject passengers to unreasonable risk. They could cause injuries by being involved in accidents, dropping passengers, failing to properly secure passengers in vehicles, improperly using chairlifts or failing to transfer passengers to or from wheelchairs or stretchers safely. Unqualified drivers could also engage in dangerous behavior like leaving passengers in unsafe conditions or situations.

By hiring unqualified employees and then failing to properly train them, NEMT companies subject patients/passengers to unreasonable risks of serious personal injuries and death.  Such injuries are caused by, but not limited to, the following:

·       Collisions with other vehicles or objects

·       Not providing proper passenger assistance 

·       Dropping patients while loading or unloading them

·       Failing to secure, or improperly securing, a patient to his or her seat

·       Failing to secure, or improperly securing, wheelchair bound patients

·       Failing to safely transfer patients to or from a wheelchair or stretcher

·       Improperly using chair lifts

·       Leaving patients in extreme or unsafe conditions

Employing drivers who possess minimal knowledge and skills could save you a few dollars when it comes to wages, but it will likely end up costing you in the long run. Working with qualified drivers ensures patient safety and satisfaction while minimizing your risk. These drivers abide by the law, and you can feel confident allowing them to operate your vehicles and safely get passengers from point a to point b. Non-emergency medical transport drivers are responsible for a lot more than, say, delivering a hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, and you need qualified employees who are up for the challenge.

While having a driver’s license and a clean driving record is good enough for many driving jobs, it isn’t for NEMT jobs. Transporting people who are sick, disabled or elderly requires special skills and training. Drivers should be trained in things like HIPAA, CPR and first aid. They also need to know how to properly secure passengers — including those who are bound to wheelchairs. Drivers should also be trained to safely load and unload passengers and transfer them to and from wheelchairs and stretchers.

If you are the owner of a NEMT company, employing the right drivers and providing the right training is crucial. 

Why risk the well-being of your passengers and the viability of your company by not hiring qualified drivers?