Rule 4766-3-13 | Driver training and qualifications.
(A) The ambulette service shall maintain and provide adequate documentation of the following driver/operator requirements for each of its drivers:
(1) A copy of a valid driver/operator license issued pursuant to Chapter 4506. or 4507. of the Revised Code or its equivalent if the applicant is a resident of another state:
(a) Driver/operator shall be at least eighteen years of age to operate an ambulette;
(b) Each ambulette driver shall have at least two years driving experience;
(2) A copy of a valid driver/operator's abstract obtained from the bureau of motor vehicles from the state in which the driver's license was issued at the time of the application for employment and annually thereafter;
(a) The date of the driving abstract submitted at the time of application shall be no more than fourteen calendar days prior to the date of application for employment;
(b) Driver/operators having six points or more on their driving abstract in accordance with section 4510.036 of the Revised Code cannot be an ambulette service driver;
(c) Ambulette service may use documentation from their commercial insurance carrier as proof the standard in this paragraph has been met. This document must include the names of all insured drivers verifying the eligibility of the driver.
(3) A copy of a current and valid certification in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shall include hands on training from the "American Red Cross," "American Heart Association," or "American Safety and Health Institute," (ASHI) or equivalent certifying organization approved by the board;
(4) A copy of a current and valid certification in basic first aid and shall include hands on training from the "American Red Cross," "American Heart Association," or "American Safety and Health Institute," (ASHI) or equivalent certifying organization approved by the board; or a current and valid certification as a/an:
(a) Emergency medical responder;
(b) Emergency medical technician;
(c) Advanced emergency medical technician; or
(d) Paramedic.
(5) At least once every three years, satisfactory completion of a passenger assistance training course to include the following elements:
(a) Sensitivity to aging:
(b) Overview of diseases and functional factors commonly affecting older adults;
(c) Environmental considerations affecting consumers;
(d) Consumer assistance and transfer techniques;
(e) Management of a wheelchair, including the proper methods for securing a wheelchair in the vehicle and the client in the wheelchair;
(f) Inspection and operation of a wheelchair lift and other types of assistive equipment, and;
(g) Emergency procedures.
(6) Services can use commercially designed courses approved by the board or develop their own training course as long as required elements are met. All courses shall include hands on training for loading and unloading the client in the wheelchair, securing the client in the wheelchair, and securing the wheelchair in the vehicle.
(a) Services that use a commercially developed training course for their employees shall also show documentation of hands on training.
(b) Services that develop their own training course shall make available to the board, upon request, a written course outline documenting all course elements, all course training material used, and documentation of hands on training. Training course developed by the service is subject to prior approval by the board.
(7) A copy of a valid criminal background check:
(a) Conducted by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with section 109.572 of the Revised Code; or
(b) Conducted by the federal bureau of investigations (FBI) for an individual who has not lived in the state of Ohio for at least five years immediately prior to application.
(8) A copy of a valid signed statement from a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant acting within their scope of practice or a department of transportation (DOT) physical declaring that the driver/operator does not have a medical condition, physical condition, including vision impairment (not corrected), which could interfere with safe driving, passenger assistance, the provision of emergency treatment activity, or could jeopardize the health and welfare of client and/or general public;
(9) A copy of valid test results from an alcohol and controlled substances test to be conducted by a laboratory certified for such testing under "CLIA" and determined to be free of alcohol, amphetamines, cannabinoids (THC), cocaine, opiates, and phencyclidines (PCP).
(a) The tests shall be performed and the results placed in the employee's file as provided in paragraph (C) of this rule;
(b) Repeat drug and alcohol testing shall be performed at a minimum whenever the driver has been involved in a motor vehicle accident for which he/she was the driver.
(10) The ambulette service shall provide each driver/operator with an identification card visible to the client identifying their first name and last initial or a unique identifier and ambulette service affiliation.
(B) An ambulette service shall at all times maintain staffing of ambulette(s) by an ambulette driver who meets the requirements of division (A) of section 4766.15 of the Revised Code.
(C) An ambulette service may employ an applicant on a temporary provisional basis pending completion of the requirements of this rule pursuant to section 4766.15 of the Revised Code.
(1) The provisional period for completion of requirements set forth in paragraphs (A)(3) to (A)(7) of this rule shall be no more than sixty days.
(2) The provisional period for completion of requirements set forth in paragraphs (A)(1) and (A)(2) and paragraphs (A)(8) to (A)(10) of this rule shall be no more than fourteen days.
(D) No ambulette service shall employ as an ambulette driver, any person who has been convicted of or plead guilty to violations as set forth in divisions (A)(1)(a), (A)(2)(a), (A)(4)(a), and/or (A)(5)(a) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code or their equivalent in any jurisdiction unless the exceptions set forth in paragraphs (A) and (B) of rule 3701-13-06 of the Administrative Code apply.
(E) No ambulette service shall employ as an ambulette driver any person who has six points or more on their driving abstract in accordance with section 4510.036 of the Revised Code.
(F) No ambulette service shall employ any person as an ambulette driver unless that person has a valid driver/operator license issued pursuant to Chapter 4506. or Chapter 4507. of the Revised Code or its equivalent if the person is a resident of another state.
(G) No ambulette service shall employ any person as an ambulette driver unless the person is at least eighteen years of age and has at least two years driving experience.
(H) No ambulette service shall employ any person as an ambulette driver unless the person holds a current and valid certification in CPR and one of the following:
(1) Basic first aid;
(2) Emergency medical responder;
(3) Emergency medical technician;
(4) Advanced emergency medical technician;
(5) Paramedic.
(I) No ambulette service shall employ any person as an ambulette driver unless the person has successfully completed a program designed for transporting clients with special needs as set forth in paragraph (A)(5) of this rule.
Last updated June 15, 2022 at 9:52 AM
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