A Day in the Life of an NEMT Driver

Contents:

• What Does an NEMT Driver Do?
• Typical Daily Schedule of an NEMT Driver
• NEMT Driver Qualifications
• Schedule the Best Routes for Your Drivers With RouteGenie

What Does an NEMT Driver Do?

As you know NEMT drivers transport clients who can’t drive themselves, don’t have access to a vehicle, or can’t travel alone to and from their healthcare appointments. They should have a valid, state-issued driver’s license, be able to operate a wheelchair lift, and be able to lift 50 pounds or more, in some cases. Sometimes, a driver will only need to transport the passenger from their home to the healthcare facility without any physical assistance, while other times they might need to go into the home and help the client get to the vehicle. In any case, a driver should always remain patient and be as friendly as possible. 

Typical Daily Schedule of an NEMT Driver

Start of the day: Expect to start your shift early in the morning. Quite often, passengers need to arrive at the hospital in advance to prepare for medical procedures taking place later in the day. To ensure timely arrival for these vital appointments and accommodate the busiest morning hours, drivers typically start as early as 4:00 or 5:00 a.m.

Before driving off from your home or company garage, you must clock in through the NEMT application and complete a quick pre-departure check of the vehicle, additional equipment, and supplies. A typical pre-trip inspection entails checking fluid levels (fuel, oil), tire pressure, brakes, lights, and any special equipment such as wheelchair lifts or securement straps. Plus, you should make sure that the vehicle and its cabin are clean and well-organized.

Morning pickups: After the vehicle check, you head out for the first pickups of the day. Many passengers rely on NEMT services for morning procedures like surgeries, dialysis, and physical therapy. As a NEMT driver, you’re often one of the first encounters on their healthcare journey, ensuring timely and comfortable transit to these important appointments.

Before the pickup, you verify the passenger’s details to understand the level of assistance they will need. During boarding, make sure they are safely secured in the vehicle, and assist with any special needs they might have, such as loading mobility aids or personal belongings.

Midday routine: Throughout the day, you continue transporting passengers to facilities or bringing home those who have completed their appointments and are being discharged. During this time, you operate the vehicle and additional equipment, track your progress with the NEMT software, communicate with dispatchers and customers, and provide continuous passenger care. NEMT drivers tend to the various needs of both mobile and immobile customers; therefore, when arriving at destinations, it’s advisable not to just drop off passengers and leave. If there’s extra time, you should consider escorting them to the appropriate office or ensuring they reach the safety of their home.

Afternoon/evening and end of the shift: In general, the NEMT driver’s shift lasts around 8-12 hours. On slower days, it may end in the afternoon or early evening, but late shifts are not uncommon. Some patients have evening medical needs (dialysis or outpatient treatments), while others live in remote areas that require longer travel distances. Moreover, some NEMT providers offer 24/7 service for urgent cases, so drivers might have flexible or extended shifts based on demand.

At the end of the day, once all passengers have been safely dropped off, you return to the garage, complete a final inspection, and document any issues or maintenance needs in the NEMT app. Ending your shift with a well-maintained vehicle helps ensure you're ready for the next day’s challenges

NEMT Driver Qualifications

Being an NEMT driver is much different than being a taxi driver or an Uber driver. As an NEMT driver, your service can range anywhere from being a total hands-off experience to one that requires physically helping a patient into the vehicle, securing them, and walking them into their appointment. It’s important that drivers are trained in HIPAA, CPR, first aid, and anything else that could help them be better at their job. They need to know how to properly load and unload patients, and understand how to respond if an emergency situation arises. If you’re able to meet all these qualifications, you’ll make an exceptional NEMT driver. The following are a few more areas of expertise you should focus on if you want to become an NEMT driver. 

Passenger Safety

NEMT drivers should handle every situation with the utmost care. If a driver doesn’t prioritize safety, a number of problems could occur, including but not limited to vehicle accidents, dropping passengers, improperly securing passengers, improper transfer to a wheelchair or stretcher, among other things. NEMT drivers should put their passengers’ safety first in all instances and should understand how to react in any emergency or unforeseen issue that arises. 

Customer Service 

Drivers might not be standing behind a counter selling a product, but they definitely need excellent customer service skills to succeed. Drivers should be friendly, personable, relatable, and strive to provide the best service possible every single day. If this isn’t your area of expertise, becoming an NEMT driver probably isn’t the right career path for you. 

Schedule the Best Routes for Your Drivers With RouteGenie

Finding qualified drivers is the first step in building a reliable business. Investing in NEMT routing software that cuts costs and boosts efficiency is the second. RouteGenie finds the best routes and schedules for every trip, so your drivers don’t face any obstacles on the road. Ready for your free demo? Sign up with our experts today!