GREENVILLE—Spirit Medical Transport is currently hiring non-emergency transport/van drivers.
As of May 1, Ohio allows an ambulance transporting non-emergency patients to transport patients with a driver that meets certain training requirements and an EMT or higher taking care of the patient in the back of the ambulance.
A driver who operates a Spirit EMS wheelchair van transports people to appointments who can either walk or ride in a wheelchair. As the driver of the van, they are the sole care provider.
Vinny Kroterfield, Spirit EMS van driver, said he transports people from mostly nursing home facilities to doctor appointments.
“During the transports, I try to talk to them as much as they will allow me to, or banter with them if I can,” he said. “Most seem to enjoy the conversation and the aggravation, because they give it right back to me which they really seem to enjoy.”
While Kroterfield does drive an ambulance in his position, he’s only legally allowed to handle non-emergency transports unless there are two EMTs onboard in the back of the ambulance.
His first trip driving an ambulance was actually an emergency.
“As an ambulance driver, there is a tremendous amount of responsibility,” he said. “You have to constantly think about the EMTs in the back. No sudden moves, braking, swerving, or anything else of that nature, since they are not sitting for the most part but working with the patient.”
In the position, Kroterfield said he normally works five days a week, in the wheelchair van, with the workload varying from day to day.
“My position as a driver is usually different every day,” he said. “People that I transport to dialysis I will see three times a week, and I’ve acquired a relationship with them. You begin to understand what they deal with going through treatment. When you understand this, you start to deal with each patient on an individualized basis because of their character or needs.”
Regarding the position, Kroterfield said he likes to talk to patients and really enjoys driving. “I take a lot of pride in my driving,” he said.
He recommended the non-emergency transport/van driver to anyone who likes to drive, talk, and meet new people.
To incentivize interest in applicants who are dedicated to their work, Spirit is currently offering a chance at $10,000 to one lucky full-time employee who is hired between now and September 15, 2022, and maintains perfect attendance after hire until mid-December. The winner of the $10,000 prize will be drawn at the yearly Christmas party.
Spirit EMS is located at 5484 State Route 49 S., Greenville, Ohio, 45331, with additional locations in Houston, Sidney, Van Wert, Celina, and Liberty, IN. Due to expanded needs for their services, Spirit is hiring for all locations. For more information on the position or to apply, go to www.spiritmedicaltransport.com/job-openings.