Housekeeping Supervisor

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in supervising 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 Director of Environmental Services, to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable manner.

Delegation of Authority

As Housekeeping Supervisor you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to carry out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

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.

Miscellaneous Information

Information explaining the Essential Functions , Safety Factors , and the Competency Evaluation columns, as well as the Risk Exposure Category legend is provided in the “Job Position Analysis Information” section located on the last page of this job description. ( Note: The number assigned to each individual column corresponds to that same number in the “Analysis” section.)

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

Assume the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability of supervising the housekeeping department.

Supervise the day-to-day housekeeping functions of assigned personnel.

Assist the director in setting housekeeping standards.

Assist in developing procedures for performing daily housekeeping tasks.

Assist the director in standardizing the methods in which work is accomplished.

Assist the director in scheduling work assignments, preparing cleaning schedules, etc. Revise as necessary.

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

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

Submit accident/incident reports to the director on the shift in which they occurred.

Perform administrative requirements (i.e., completing necessary forms, reports, etc.) and submit to the director as necessary.

Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

Agree not to disclose resident’s protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility’s information system.

Committee Functions

Implement recommendations from the Infection Control, Safety, and QA Committees, etc., as directed/necessary.

Attend department and staff meetings as directed or called.

Personnel Functions

Assist in the orientation and training of housekeeping department personnel.

Interpret department policies and procedures to new housekeeping personnel.

Review job description and duty assignment with new department personnel as directed/necessary.

Train assigned personnel in the proper techniques of mixing chemicals, cleaning disinfectants, and solutions; of cleaning methods; and the use of equipment, etc., as directed.

Assign personnel to specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.

Ensure that personnel are performing assigned tasks in accordance with established housekeeping procedures.

Review and evaluate the work performance of assigned personnel. Make recommendations to the director.

Assist in conducting departmental performance evaluations as necessary and in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures.

Report daily absenteeism and tardiness to the director.

Counsel/discipline assigned personnel as requested or as necessary. Report such actions to the director.

Ensure that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status.

Review complaints/grievances of department personnel and make oral/written recommendations and reports to the director.

Meet with assigned personnel monthly to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or improving services.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.

Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.

Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

Staff Development

Participate and assist in department studies and projects as directed.

Provide leadership, follow instructions, and take suggestions (constructive criticism).

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

Safety and Sanitation

Ensure that fire protection and prevention programs are maintained by department personnel in accordance with our fire safety policies and procedures.

Ensure that housekeeping personnel follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and when using equipment and supplies.

Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving heavy objects.

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

Ensure that appropriate MSDSs for chemicals being used by housekeeping personnel are on file and easily accessible.

Ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals in the department are properly labeled and stored. Report problem areas to the Safety Officer.

Ensure that all housekeeping personnel follow established policies governing the use of labels and MSDSs.

Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to the director.

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

Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks.

Report occupational exposure incidents to the director.

Ensure that housekeeping personnel follow established handwashing procedures.

Ensure that refuse is disposed of daily and in accordance with our established sanitation procedures.

Ensure that housekeeping personnel follow established policies governing the use/disposal of personal protective equipment and disposal of infectious wastes.

Coordinate routine/terminal isolation procedures with nursing service.

Conduct daily inspections of assigned work areas to assure that cleanliness and sanitary conditions are maintained.

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

Equipment and Supply Functions

Recommend equipment and supply needs to the director.

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

Monitor housekeeping procedures to ensure that supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

Ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment used in the handling of infectious materials is available and easily accessible to housekeeping personnel.

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

Budget and Planning Functions

Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.

Resident Rights

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

Knock before entering a resident’s room.

Ensure that the residents’ personal and property rights are maintained by assigned personnel.

Instruct department personnel to inform residents when moving personal possessions.

Miscellaneous

Assist in demonstrating new products, cleaning techniques, etc., as directed.

Working Conditions

Works throughout the housekeeping service areas (i.e., resident rooms, therapy rooms, dietary, etc.). Moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions and may need to reschedule cleaning activities.

Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances. Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Communicates with housekeeping personnel and other department personnel.

Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed. Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

May be required to perform daily housekeeping tasks. Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses. May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Maintains a liaison with other department supervisors to adequately plan for housekeeping services/activities.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, a high school education or its equivalent.

Experience

Must be familiar with care of various types of floors, with cleaning materials, etc., and with cleaning and general housekeeping methods and equipment.

Specific Requirements

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

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

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

Must be knowledgeable of housekeeping practices and procedures in the nursing care facility.

Must possess leadership ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

Must have the ability to plan organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the housekeeping department.

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

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.

Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing housekeeping practices. Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

Must not 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)

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

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.

Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel. Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination. Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

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

Job Position Analysis Information

1 Risk Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids Column:

Numbers entered into this column indicate the risk potential of your exposure to blood or body fluids. Established procedures identify the appropriate personal protective equipment that you should use when performing this task. The following numbers indicate your risk potential:

1 = It is highly likely that while performing functions assigned to this task you will be exposed to blood or body fluids.

2 = This task does not involve contact with blood and/or body fluids but while performing this task it may be necessary for you to perform a Category 1 task.

3 = This task does not involve any risk of exposure to blood or body fluids.

2 Essential Functions Column:

A √ mark in this column indicates that you will not be required to perform this task.

3 Repetitive Motion Column:

A √ mark in this column indicates that it will be necessary for you to perform some functions of this task repeatedly. When such tasks are not performed properly, injury can result. Established procedures identify the precautions and/or equipment that should be used.

4 Minimum Weight Lifting Requirement Column:

A √ mark in this column indicates that it will be necessary for you to perform functions of this task that require some lifting, moving, pushing, or pulling. When such tasks are not performed properly, injury can result. Established procedures identify the precautions and/or equipment that should be used when performing this task. Minimum weight lifting requirements that you must perform are located in the "Physical and Sensory Requirements" section of this Job Description.

5 Prolonged Sitting, Standing, and Bending Column:

A √ mark in this column indicates that some functions of this task require you to sit, stand, or bend for an extended period of time. When such tasks are not performed properly, injury can result. Established procedures identify the precautions and/or equipment that should be used when performing this task.

6 Competency Evaluation Column:

Competency evaluations are required for this position. Your supervisor will notify you when your evaluation is to be conducted. A check Ö in this column indicates that you did not perform this task satisfactorily and/or in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures.

7 In-Service Training Column:

A √ mark in this column indicates that you need additional training to better understand the performance requirements of this task. In-service training classes will be scheduled and your attendance at such classes is mandatory.