PT - Housekeeping/Laundry Aide

Job Description

Job Description

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Environmental Services Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing our Facility, and as may be directed by the Environmental Services Director and or the Administrator, to assure that our Facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner, and the an adequate supply of linen is on hand at all times to meet the needs of the residents.

Delegation of Authority

As Laundry Aide you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Function

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 from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of the position. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

·         Ensure that work and cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.

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

·         Coordinate daily laundry services with nursing services when performing routine assignments in resident living areas.

·         Must adhere to all HIPAA requirements.

Staff Development

·         Participate and assist in department meetings, studies, and projects, as directed.

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

·         Attend and participate in annual Facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, etc.).

Safety and Sanitation

·         Follow established fire safety policies and procedures.

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

·         Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies when lifting or moving heavy objects.

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

·         Keep work assignment areas free of hazardous objects, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.

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

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

·         Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.

·         Ensure that established infection control and universal precautions practices are maintained when performing laundry procedures.

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

·         Use appropriate personal protective equipment and supplies when handling infectious materials.

·         Discard sharps into designated containers.

·         Follow established hand-washing procedures.

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

·         Follow established policies governing the use and disposal of personal protective equipment and disposal of infectious wastes.

·         Coordinate isolation procedures with nursing service.

Equipment and Supply Functions

·         Ensure that an adequate supply of laundry and linen supplies is maintained in laundry or linen closets to meet the daily needs of the residents.

·         Keep supervisor informed of supply needs.

·         Keep work area(s) free of hazardous conditions, i.e., spills, excess laundry carts, baskets, supplies, equipment, etc.

·         Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to the Environmental Services Director.

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

·         Assist others in lifting heavy equipment, supplies, etc., as directed, or requested.

·         Clean work and supply carts, equipment, etc., as directed.

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

Laundry Services

·         Perform assigned tasks in accordance with established laundry procedures.

·         Collect, sort, and weigh soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., and place in appropriate containers or assigned areas.

·         Sort soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., and separate those items that require special stain removal or treatment.

·         Sort, count, and wash soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., in accordance with established procedures.

·         Press or iron garments as instructed.

·         Fold, count, stack, hang, and distribute clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., to residents daily and/or as instructed.

·         During emergency conditions, assure that clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., are distributed to designated areas as instructed.

·         Clean floors, including sweeping, dusting, and damp or wet mopping.  (Note: Assure that appropriate caution or safety signs are properly set up prior to performing such duties.)

·         Keep walls and ceilings clean by washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, etc.

·         Remove dirt dust, grease, film, etc., from equipment or floor surfaces, using proper cleaning or disinfecting solutions.

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

·         Turn in all found articles to your supervisor.

Working Conditions

·         Works in all areas of the Facility.

·         Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies or personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

·         Communicates with laundry personnel and other Facility personnel.

·         May be required to work on shifts other than the one for which hired.

·         Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Education

·         Not applicable.  

Experience

·         Not applicable.  On-the-job training provided.

Specific Requirements

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

·         Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of laundry areas, for sanitation, order, and safety.

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

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

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without a Reasonable Accommodation)

·         Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

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

·         Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the Facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.

·         Based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Guidelines for Nursing Homes Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the American Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values for Lifting the Facility has identified that this job may require the lifting of residents, equipment, or other objects.  Accordingly, this job may require a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 35 pounds lifting, periodically and or as needed.