Nursing Home Painter

Job Description

Job Description

Department: Maintenance
Reports To: Maintenance Director / Administrator
Facility: Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Position Type: Full-Time / Part-Time

POSITION SUMMARY

The Painter / Facility Home Improvement Technician is responsible for maintaining and improving the interior and exterior appearance of the nursing facility. The position primarily focuses on painting, drywall and wall repairs, patching, baseboard installation and repair, wallpaper removal, surface preparation, and other minor facility improvement projects.

The employee must perform all work in a safe, professional, and resident-centered manner while minimizing disruption to residents, staff, visitors, and daily facility operations. All work areas must be maintained in accordance with facility safety, infection prevention, and environmental standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESPainting and Surface Preparation

• Paint resident rooms, hallways, offices, common areas, dining areas, activity rooms, stairwells, and other designated facility spaces.

• Prepare walls, ceilings, doors, trim, and other surfaces prior to painting.

• Scrape, sand, clean, prime, and prepare surfaces as necessary.

• Perform touch-up painting throughout the facility as needed.

• Match existing paint colors and finishes when completing repairs.

• Apply paint using brushes, rollers, and other approved equipment.

• Protect floors, furniture, resident belongings, medical equipment, and other surfaces during painting projects.

• Maintain clean and professional work areas during and after each project.

Wall and Drywall Repairs

• Patch nail holes, cracks, dents, damaged drywall, and other wall imperfections.

• Repair minor drywall damage caused by equipment, wheelchairs, furniture, or normal facility wear.

• Apply joint compound, spackle, tape, sand, prime, and finish repaired areas.

• Repair damaged wall corners and install or replace corner guards as needed.

• Report significant structural or moisture-related wall damage to the Maintenance Director immediately.

Baseboard and Trim Repairs

• Repair, replace, and install damaged or missing baseboards.

• Repair wall trim, molding, door trim, and similar interior finishes.

• Caulk and seal gaps around baseboards, trim, and other surfaces.

• Ensure repairs are securely installed and do not create tripping, sharp-edge, or resident safety hazards.

Wallpaper Removal and Wall Finishing

• Remove old, damaged, peeling, or outdated wallpaper.

• Remove wallpaper adhesive and properly prepare walls for painting or new finishes.

• Patch and repair walls after wallpaper removal.

• Sand, prime, and finish surfaces to provide a clean and professional appearance.

General Facility Repairs and Improvements

• Perform minor carpentry and general home-improvement-type repairs within the scope of experience and assigned duties.

• Repair minor damage to walls, doors, cabinets, shelving, trim, and other facility finishes.

• Install wall protection, chair rails, corner guards, and similar items as assigned.

• Assist with preparing resident rooms for new admissions, including painting, patching, and cosmetic repairs.

• Complete room turnover projects promptly to support admissions and census needs.

• Assist the Maintenance Department with facility beautification and renovation projects.

• Identify damaged surfaces or areas requiring repair during routine facility rounds.

• Complete assigned preventive maintenance and work orders within established timeframes.

NURSING HOME SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• Maintain resident safety at all times when performing work in occupied areas.

• Secure work areas with appropriate signs, barriers, or other precautions.

• Never leave tools, ladders, chemicals, paint, equipment, or materials unattended where residents may access them.

• Keep hallways, exits, fire doors, and emergency pathways clear at all times.

• Coordinate projects in resident rooms with nursing staff before beginning work.

• Respect residents' privacy, dignity, belongings, and personal space.

• Immediately stop work if conditions create a potential hazard to residents or staff.

• Follow facility procedures regarding infection prevention and control.

• Use appropriate dust-control measures when sanding, scraping, cutting, or performing repairs.

• Follow requirements regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when indicated.

• Properly ventilate areas when painting or using approved chemicals.

• Use low-odor or facility-approved products when required.

• Follow Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements for paints, solvents, adhesives, and other chemicals.

• Properly label, store, secure, and dispose of paints and chemicals.

• Maintain compliance with facility Life Safety, OSHA, IDPH, CMS, and applicable local safety requirements within the scope of the position.

RESIDENT ROOM TURNOVER RESPONSIBILITIES

When a resident room becomes vacant, the Painter / Facility Home Improvement Technician may be responsible for:

• Inspecting walls and surfaces for damage.

• Patching holes, cracks, and damaged drywall.

• Touching up or repainting walls as necessary.

• Repairing or replacing damaged baseboards.

• Removing damaged wallpaper.

• Repairing trim and minor cosmetic damage.

• Caulking and sealing areas as necessary.

• Ensuring the room presents a clean, safe, and welcoming appearance for the next resident.

• Reporting additional maintenance needs to the Maintenance Director before the room is released for occupancy.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of basic commercial and residential painting techniques.

• Experience with drywall patching and repair.

• Ability to remove wallpaper and prepare walls for refinishing.

• Experience repairing and installing baseboards and trim.

• Ability to safely operate basic hand and power tools.

• Ability to use ladders safely.

• Ability to identify repair needs and determine appropriate materials.

• Ability to work independently and complete assigned projects timely.

• Strong attention to detail and workmanship.

• Ability to maintain a clean and organized work environment.

• Ability to communicate professionally with residents, families, staff, vendors, and management.

• Ability to prioritize urgent repairs and resident-safety concerns.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

• Previous painting, construction, apartment maintenance, home improvement, remodeling, or facility maintenance experience preferred.

• Minimum of 1–2 years of painting and general repair experience preferred.

• Nursing home, healthcare, hospital, assisted living, hotel, apartment, or commercial facility maintenance experience is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.

• Bend, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, and work overhead.

• Safely use ladders and step stools.

• Lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment consistent with facility policy.

• Perform repetitive hand and arm movements associated with painting and repairs.

• Work in resident rooms, hallways, stairwells, mechanical areas, and other facility environments.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

The Painter / Facility Home Improvement Technician is expected to:

• Maintain professional conduct and appearance.

• Treat all residents with dignity and respect.

• Maintain confidentiality regarding residents and facility operations.

• Respond promptly to assigned work orders.

• Communicate delays, material needs, and significant repair concerns to the Maintenance Director.

• Maintain accountability for facility tools and equipment.

• Avoid unnecessary disruption to resident care and facility operations.

• Work cooperatively with Nursing, Housekeeping, Environmental Services, Maintenance, Administration, and other departments.

• Maintain the facility in a clean, attractive, safe, and homelike condition.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not intended to contain a complete listing of all responsibilities. The employee may be required to perform other maintenance, painting, repair, and facility improvement duties as assigned by the Maintenance Director or Administrator, provided such duties are within the employee's training, competency, and applicable safety requirements.