Housekeeping Aide

 The primary purpose of your job position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Housekeeping Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator and/ or the Director of Housekeeping Services, to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them form the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

FUNCTIONS:

ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

1.      Ensure that work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely practical.

2.      Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor no matter how minor they may be.  (NOTE: Such occurrences must be reported on the shift in which they occur.)

3.      Coordinate daily housekeeping services with nursing services when performing routine cleaning assignments in resident living areas/patient rooms, and /or recreational areas.

PERSONNEL FUNCTIONS:

1.      Attend departmental and staff meetings as directed or called.

2.      Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.

3.      File complaints/grievances with your supervisor.

COMPLIANCE: Employee performs within the prescribed limits of the hospitals/ departments Ethics and Compliance Program. Is responsible to detect, observe, and report compliance variances to their immediate supervisor, or upward through the chain of command or the Compliance officer.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT:

1.      Participate and assist in department studies and projects as directed.

2.      Attend and participate in in-service educational classes, on-the-job training programs, etc., as scheduled or as directed. 

3.      Attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communications, TB management, and blood borne pathogens standard.

SAFETY AND SANITATION:

1.      Follow established fire safety policies and procedures.

2.      Follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and when using equipment and supplies.

3.      Wear and /or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving heavy objects.

4.      Ensure that assigned work areas are maintained in a clean, safe, comfortable, attractive and sanitary manner.

5.      Keep work/assignment areas free of hazardous objects such as protruding mop/broom handles, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.

6.      Follow proper techniques when mixing chemical, disinfectants, and solutions used in the work area. Refer to material safety data sheets (MSDS) when necessary.

7.      Follow established policies governing the use of labels and MSDSs.

8.      Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.

9.      Ensure that established infection control and universal precautions practices are maintained when performing housekeeping procedures.   

10.  Participate in appropriate in-service training program prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals.

11.  Use appropriate personal protective equipment and supplies when handling infectious materials and/or hazardous chemicals.

12.  Report missing or improperly labeled containers of hazardous chemicals to your supervisor.

13.  Discard sharps into designated container.

14.  Follow established hand-washing procedures.

15.  Dispose of refuse daily in accordance with our established sanitation procedures.

16.  Follow established policies governing the use/disposal of personal protective equipment and disposal of infectious waste.

17.  Coordinate routine/terminal isolation procedures with nursing services.

18.  Other(s) that may become necessary/appropriate to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY FUNCTIONS:

1.      Ensure that an adequate supply of housekeeping supplies to perform daily tasks is maintained in utility/janitorial closets.

2.      Keep supervisor informed of supply needs.

3.       Report burned out light bulbs, exit lights, overhead lights, fluorescent lights, room call lights, etc., to your supervisor as soon as practical.

4.      Assist others in lighting heavy equipment, supplies, etc., as directed or requested. 

5.      Clean work/supply carts, equipment, etc., as necessary or directed.

6.      Ensure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift.

7.      Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to the Director of Housekeeping Services.

8.      Report all equipment malfunctions or breakdowns to your supervisor as soon as practical.

HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES:

1.      Perform day-to-day housekeeping functions as directed.

2.      Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.

3.      Clean/polish furnishings, fixtures, ledges, room heating/cooling units, etc., in resident rooms, recreational areas, etc., daily as instructed.

4.      Clean, wash, sanitize, and/or polish bathroom fixtures, Ensure that watermarks are removed from fixtures. Ensure that watermarks are removed from fixtures.

5.      Clean windows/mirrors in resident rooms, recreational areas, bathrooms, and entrance/exit ways.

6.      Clean floors, to include sweeping, dusting, damp/wet mopping, stripping, waxing, buffing, disinfecting, etc. (Note: Ensure that appropriate caution/safety signs are properly set up prior to performing such duties.)

7.       Clean carpets, to include vacuuming, shampooing, deodorizing, and disinfecting.

8.      Clean walls and ceilings by washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, etc.

9.      Remove dirt, dust, grease, film, etc., from surfaces using proper cleaning/disinfecting solutions.

10.  Clean hallways, stairways, and elevators.

11.  Discard waste/trash into proper containers and reline trash receptacle with plastic liner.

12.  Clean vacant rooms as assigned.

13.  Ensure that work/assignment areas are clean and that equipment, tools, supplies, etc., are properly stored at all times, as well as before leaving such as areas for breaks, meal times, and end of the work day.

14.  Perform isolation cleaning procedures in accordance with established infection control procedures.

15.  Discard infectious wastes in appropriate containers.

EDUCATION: A 12th grade education or its equivalent is recommended.

EXPERIENCE: None required. On-the-job training provided.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

1.      Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English language.

2.      Must possess the ability to make independent decisions, to follow instructions, and to accept constructive criticism.

3.      Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public

4.      Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of housekeeping areas, much perform regular inspections or resident rooms/units for sanitation, order, safety, and proper performance of assigned duties.

5.      Must be willing to work harmoniously with other personnel as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.

6.      Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing housekeeping practices.

7.      Must be able to follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixture of cleaning compounds, liquids, cleaning instructions, etc.

8.      Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

9.      Must no pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace. 

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

(With or without the aid of mechanical devices.)

1.      Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

2.      Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.

3.      Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

4.      Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

5.      Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, and personnel.

6.      Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.

7.      Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able o push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 350 feet.

8.      May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents/patients during emergency situations.