CDL Bus Driver (Columbia)

CDL Driver / Bus Deployment Driver

At The Blood Connection, every role plays a part in saving lives. Join our team and help make an impact in your community today!

Position Overview

The CDL Driver / Bus Deployment Driver is responsible for the transportation, deployment, staging, pickup, and return of bloodmobiles and mobile collection vehicles in support of mobile blood drive operations. This position focuses exclusively on vehicle movement, logistics support, and operational readiness of mobile collection assets.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring buses are properly staged, supplied, fueled, and returned according to operational standards while maximizing productive driving time throughout the workday. This role does not perform donor-facing collection functions and should not remain onsite during blood drive operating hours unless specifically directed by management.

Essential Functions

Bus Deployment & Transportation

• Transports bloodmobiles and mobile collection vehicles between garages, staging areas, and blood drive locations
• Deploys and/or returns a minimum of two (2) buses daily
• Completes AM deployment and PM pickup assignments as scheduled
• Stages buses at blood drive locations according to operational standards
• Parks vehicles according to site instructions and Trip/Drive Sheets
• Connects shore power and deploys stairs as applicable
• Returns vehicles to assigned garages or mobile depots safely and efficiently

Supply and Equipment Responsibilities

• Verifies assigned supply carts and pods are loaded appropriately
• Confirms all required supplies are present prior to deployment
• Ensures refrigerators are stocked with beverages and backup drinks
• Verifies large sharps containers are present and not full before deployment
• Replaces sharps containers and replenishes drinks during PM return process as needed
• Secures all equipment and supplies during transport

Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance

• Completes Fleetio pre-trip vehicle inspections
• Reports on vehicle issues, maintenance concerns, or damage immediately
• Refuels buses to full upon return
• Verifies DEF fluid levels are adequate
• Maintains cleanliness and organization of assigned vehicles

Blood Product and Chain of Custody Support

• Handles blood coolers and blood products according to operational procedures
• Follows designated transfer procedures by return location
• Completes all required documentation accurately and timely
• Wears gloves and follows safety procedures when handling blood products

Scheduling and Operational Expectations

• Works within a two-bus daily operating model
• Drivers may:
  • Deploy 2–3 buses in the AM
  • Return 2–3 buses in the PM
  • Deploy one bus in the AM and return another in the PM
• Drivers working split AM/PM schedules will:
  • Return to the garage after AM deployment
  • Clock out after AM assignments
  • Return later for PM pickup assignments

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Driver's License and valid CDL Driver's License with no major infractions and dependable transportation
• One year job related experience is preferred
• Ability to operate large commercial vehicles safely
• Ability to lift and move supplies and equipment
• Ability to work flexible schedules including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Ability to follow written procedures and operational instructions

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting and/or pulling/pushing up to 50 pounds
• Sitting and driving for an extended period of time
• Climbing
• Bending and twisting

Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled