Position Summary
The Local Transportation Driver plans, organizes, and carries out day-to-day client transportation within the Flathead Valley and adjoining counties. This position gets clients to medical, dental, legal, and other scheduled appointments on time, handles pharmacy and errand runs that keep the program running, and takes ownership of the company vehicle assigned to the role. The driver is a frontline representative of Recovery Centers of Montana (RCM) and is often the staff member with whom clients spend the most one-on-one time outside the facility. The driver may also take longer trips to other RCM locations or regional appointments as needed.
Essential Job Functions
· Build and maintain the daily and weekly transportation schedule from client appointment calendars, admissions and discharge dates, and staff requests, and resolve conflicts before they become missed appointments.
· Transport clients safely and on time to and from appointments, court dates, probation and parole check-ins, labs, pharmacies, and other authorized destinations, and remain available or return for pickup as scheduled
· Pick up client medications from pharmacies, verify the order against the pickup list, and hand off directly to the nurse or designated staff following RCM medication-handling procedures
· Pick up and deliver client belongings from storage, including bags for incoming and discharging clients, and document the chain of custody.
· Complete other authorized errands such as supply pickups, mail, and deliveries between RCM sites as directed
· Sign out the vehicle for every trip using the vehicle log, recording driver, vehicle, client, destination, and departure and return times
· Keep the vehicle fueled, clean inside and out, and ready for the next trip; keep the vehicle stocked with required safety and cleaning supplies.
· Track mileage and maintenance, schedule oil changes, tire rotations, inspections, and repairs, and report mechanical concerns, warning lights, damage, or accidents to the supervisor the same day.
· Maintain a professional, respectful, and therapeutic relationship with all clients during transport and hold appropriate boundaries
· Report client needs, requests, or behavioral concerns to the appropriate staff verbally and in writing, and document policy violations occurring during transport in the appropriate log.
· Communicate schedule changes, delays, no-shows, and completed trips to the care team so appointments can be rescheduled and charts kept current.
· Assess conflict or crisis situations involving clients and contact a supervisor as needed.
· Adhere to all RCM policies and procedures, including vehicle use, GPS tracking, confidentiality, and the therapeutic milieu
· Perform other job-related duties as directed by a supervisor
Attendance and Scheduling
This position works primarily daytime hours Monday through Friday, built around when clients have appointments and when pharmacies and storage facilities are open. Early mornings, occasional evenings, and the occasional weekend run should be expected when client needs require it. Staff meetings and training sessions may require schedule adjustments. Permanent schedule changes will be communicated in writing, including the reason for the change. Scheduling decisions are the responsibility of the employer and are based on the operational needs of the agency and the people it serves.
Education and Experience
· High School Diploma or equivalent required
· Prior experience in a driving, dispatch, logistics, delivery, or scheduling role preferred
· Mental health or behavioral health experience a plus
· Personal experience relevant to substance use disorder recovery services is valued
Licensure and Clearances
· Current, valid Montana driver's license with a clean driving record; a motor vehicle record check is required prior to hire and periodically during employment
· Must be insurable under RCM's commercial auto policy
· Clear criminal background check required prior to hire
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple appointments, locations, and time windows in a single day
· Reliable and punctual; clients' medical care and court obligations depend on this role being on time
· Comfortable driving in Montana winter conditions and on rural roads
· Basic vehicle care knowledge, including fueling, fluid checks, tire pressure, and recognizing when something needs a mechanic
· Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in a treatment setting
· Understanding of addiction, behavioral health, and the diverse backgrounds of clients served
· Empathy and effective verbal and written communication skills to support trusting relationships with clients and clear handoffs with staff
· Ability to recognize and respond to a crisis situation, including making appropriate referrals
· Positive teamwork skills with staff, clients, pharmacies, and community partners
· Basic computer and smartphone skills sufficient to maintain the transportation schedule, complete logs, and communicate with the team
· Ability to lift and carry client bags and supplies up to 50 pounds
Working Conditions
· Frequent driving throughout the Flathead Valley with occasional longer-distance travel in Montana
· Regular loading and unloading of client belongings and supplies
· Contact with individuals in various stages of substance use disorder recovery
· May encounter emotionally charged or conflict situations requiring calm, professional de-escalation
· Work schedule is primarily daytime but may include early mornings, evenings, or weekends based on client needs
Disclaimer
This job description does not state or imply that the duties listed above are the only responsibilities of this position. The employee in this role will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any additional duties requested by their supervisor. This document is subject to change at the discretion of Recovery Centers of Montana leadership.
Recovery Centers of Montana is an Equal Opportunity Employer.