Motor Vehicle Operator

This position serves as a Motor Vehicle Operator located in the Beneficiary travel Office, which is part of the Veteran Transportation Program in the Patient Administration Services, located at the Edward Hines Jr., VA Hospital in Hines, IL.

• Provides non-emergent and safe transportation for veterans, caregivers, attendants and/or cargo related to Veterans medical appointments.
• Coordinate trips with dispatcher daily to facilitate Patient Transportation Requests and determine pick-up/prop-off times and locations.
• Operates multi-passenger vehicles, bus, vans, and pick-up trucks for the transportation of patients traveling to and from Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) and various door-to-door locations within Edward Hines, Jr., VA Hospital catchment area.
• Transport patients; both ambulatory and wheelchair, from all CBOC's traveling to. Edward Hines, Jr. VA hospital and various door-to-door locations for medical appointments.
• Provide assistance to all patients both ambulatory and wheelchair getting in and out of the vehicles.
• Responsible for safely transporting passengers to their destination throughout rural and urban areas on public roads in a full range of traffic conditions, work which is regularly checked and evaluated for time lines and safe delivery of passengers to their appointments at the Edward Hines Jr., VA Hospital and returned to the CBOC.
• Checks daily passenger lists and transfer patient records within patient privacy policy.
• Fill out and return trip tickets daily for each trip and is responsible for maintaining and reporting an accurate account of odometer mileage, gas receipts, patient trips and vehicle supply receipts.
• Operate a cellphone/2way radio in order to maintain communication with dispatcher, medical staff, supervisor and patients to ensure continuity of patient care and customer satisfaction.
• Articulate with patients about the Veterans Transportation Program and be able to resolve scheduling conflicts should they interrupt patient care.
• Perform preventative maintenance on all assigned VA and GSA vehicles and equipment, such as: checking oil, lights, tires, batteries, solutions, cooling-systems, fan belts, or any noticeable leaks in transmission, and differentials, etc.
• Perform monthly inspections of extinguishers and spill kits.
• Communicate and Interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers.
• Maintain the confidentiality of patient information both electronic and print.
• Work and function in the medical center in a safe manner. Including infection control and the correct operation of all equipment.
• Work in Beneficiary Travel during down time as door-to-door Shuttle driver and Transportation Assistance or other driving duties as assigned.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Pre-employment physical required.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Work requires a valid State Issued Driver's License DMV.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Drive Safely
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations)
• Motor Vehicles
• Reliability And Dependability
• Without more than normal supervision

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

The employee exerts moderate physical effort in operating, turning, backing, and controlling vehicles which carry heavy loads and a large number of people. Vehicles are operated in all types of traffic and weather conditions on public roads and there is exposure to the danger of serious accidents. The employee drives in heavy traffic and at highway speeds over complicated road and interchange system. Work is conducted inside in patient care areas with potential for exposure to infectious diseases. Some work may be either inside or outside, in areas of medium to excessive heat, cold, humidity, and dampness. Areas may have intermittent noise, fumes, dirt, dust, grease and or oils with exposing drivers to dirt and fumes and to the possibility of cuts, bruises and broken bones as a result of accidents while driving. Areas may be slippery and/or have uneven surfaces and may be located in rural areas of the assigned town. Work is mostly outdoors in a non-controlled traffic environment, during all types of weather conditions for extended periods of time.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.