November 05, 2012
Media Advisory -- Trainer Program
Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development's Rural Medical Transportation Network will partner this week with the University's Safety Center to provide Medicar and Service Car Transportation Training Program on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 7-8.
Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover the training exercise.
Instructors from Illinois community colleges will receive instruction that will allow them to train drivers and attendants for Medicar and service car transportation providers.
The sessions run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the Safety Center, 1435 Douglas Drive in Carbondale. The program features hands-on training on how to operate the adaptive vehicles and equipment used in transportation vehicles, and how to assist patient transports. The most opportune times for photos and video will be 1-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, and 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8.
SIU Carbondale is one of just five train-the-trainer programs in the state approved by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). The University's program earned approval in April 2008.
Under law, drivers and attendants in vehicles that transport participants in HFS medical programs must complete approved safety training programs, with certification required every three years. Due to a growing need for certified drivers and attendants, SIU Carbondale is playing a vital role in meeting community needs by training instructors to train drivers and attendants.
For more information, contact Kim Sanders, director of the Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development at 618/453-5545 or by email at ksanders@rural.siu.edu.