NEMT Experts Podcast Episode 9: How to Hire NEMT Drivers with Jodie Lethgo of CareerDriver and Bambi CEO Nirav Chheda.

Bambi CEO Nirav Chheda interviews Jodie Lethgo, Co-Founder of CareerDriver, which helps transportation companies to implement best practices in hiring and retaining drivers.

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Watch the full interview at: https://youtu.be/u2ipJDlDl78

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Please don't forget to subscribe and like NEMT Experts Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@bambihealth

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Learn more about Career Driver at https://careerdriver.com/

Podcast Show Notes:

• Hiring is an "Always On" Activity: NEMT companies must focus on continuous recruiting efforts, not just when in need. This includes consistently showcasing company culture and values online to attract ideal candidates.
• Retention is Critical:  Building a positive and supportive company culture is essential for keeping good drivers long-term. This includes things like support groups, social events, and ensuring all employees feel like part of a family.
• Target the Right Candidates:
• Use social media with targeted advertising to reach people with relevant backgrounds (hospitality, home care)
• Use job boards like Indeed proactively, but be aware candidates are applying to many places.
• Tap into your existing driver network for referrals
• The Lead Funnel:  Understanding the hiring process as a funnel is key. You need to generate a steady flow of leads, work to vet them out, and have them move towards the bottom of the funnel (being hired).
• Trial and Error is Necessary There's no one-size-fits-all recruiting strategy. Start with Indeed, then explore other channels, always monitoring where your successful hires are coming from so you can focus your ad spend.
• The Cost of Not Hiring: Companies often worry about the cost of active recruiting, but there's a high cost to NOT having drivers. It's not just about the revenue loss; it's about missed opportunities to serve patients.

Important Quotes:

• "You better believe that Amazon's got a call center of people that are going to be talking to those people immediately."
• Emphasizes the competition NEMT firms face.
• "It's creating an environment where people are vested in staying, they believe in the company, and they believe in what they're doing."
• The core of employee retention.
• "It doesn't have to be a one-size-fits-all for everyone. And I do think it is very tailored to the culture of the company"
• Companies need to find what works best for them in terms of attracting and retaining drivers.

Here are some time-stamped show notes:

00:00 Introduction

‍02:40 Jodie's background

‍05:40 Birth of CareerDriver

‍07:25 NEMT drivers vs other transport

‍09:10 "Always On" mindset in hiring drivers

‍15:22 Driver retention

‍20:20: Ideal hiring process

‍28:50: Example of implementing hiring practices

‍32:50 Conclusion

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