Required Training for All Drivers
- Vehicle Orientation: This training includes wheelchair securement procedures, information on what to do in the event of an emergency, and orientation to the specific vehicle. The training must be completed prior to transporting clients. The vehicle Orientation training must be administered by a Ride Connection trainer, or by someone at your agency who has been trained by Ride Connection to conduct vehicle orientation training.
- Road Test: An on-the-road driving test must be completed before the driver can transport passengers. This road test must be administered by a Ride Connection trainer, or someone at your agency who has been trained by Ride Connection to conduct the test. Road Tests are a requirement for drivers who drive agency vehicles, as well as those who use their own vehicles to transport riders.
- Defensive Driving Course: A State certified Defensive Driving course must be completed within the first six months after enrollment as a driver; and every three years thereafter for drivers under 70 years of age/every two years for drivers over 70 years of age. Ride Connection offers a state-certified defensive driving course called “Safe at Any Age”. AARP’s classroom or online course or other state certified course may be substituted for the Safe at Any Age course.
- The Best Ride: A Passenger Care and Assistance Workshop: This course is designed to provide drivers and concierge with a basic understanding of some of the physical and psychological differences of their riders and offer tips to assure a positive experience for all involved. This course must be completed within the first six months after enrollment as a driver; and every three years thereafter.
- Bloodborne Pathogen Training: All drivers and concierge must receive training in bloodborne pathogens upon assignment, and then once yearly as a refresher. You may be trained using Ride Connection’s course, Bloodborne Pathogens: Preparation, Safety and Training: Your Keys to Safe Trip, or your agency’s bloodborne pathogen curriculum.
Required Training for Select Drivers
- First Aid & CPR: This class is not a requirement for all drivers. It must be completed by drivers prior to transporting Medicaid clients. Your agency will let you know if this applies to you. This class is not offered through Ride Connection, but the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter has many classes from which to choose.
- Drug and Alcohol for Safety Sensitive Personnel: This one hour session is design to meet the requirements mandated by the Department of Transportation for safety sensitive personnel. Only certain agencies, per their contract, are required to provide this training for their drivers. The goals of this class are to educate the employee of effects and consequences of prohibited drug use on personal health, safety and the work environment, and on the signs and symptoms, which may indicate, prohibited drug use. Additional information is distributed on community service help lines for employee assistance. Your agency will let you know if you need this course.
- Drug and Alcohol Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors: This two-hour session is designed to meet the requirement mandated by the Department of Transportation for supervisor training. Only certain agencies, per their contract, are required to provide this training for their drivers. The goals of this class are to educate the supervisor in the understanding of drug and alcohol regulations that apply to reasonable suspicion testing, to know the physical, behavioral, speech and performance indicators of substance abuse, to be able to approach an employee with your concerns in a professional and rational manner, to complete documentation and initiate reasonable suspicion testing and follow up. Your agency will let you know if you need this course.
Optional Training
All optional training courses are scheduled by request on a per-agency basis.
- Customer Service Training: Participants in this two hour course learn elements of providing good customer service, including tips for assisting difficult customers.
- It’s About Respect: Recognizing Harassment in a Diverse Workplace: This course can be delivered as a 1 ¾ hour or 3 hour class. Participants learn the definition of harassment, the laws governing harassment and practical guidelines to prevent harassment.
- Bafa Bafa: A Cross Cultural Simulation: Participants explore ideas of culture and cultural bias through a simulation designed to bring two disparate "cultures" together. This course requires at least 2 1/2 - 3 hours for the simulation and discussion of the experience.