Housekeeper - The Gardens Care Center

Primary Purpose of this Position

The primary purpose of this position is to perform the day-to-day activities of housekeeping as directed by the Housekeeping Supervisor to assure that the facility is maintained in a clean, safe and comfortable manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments; document as required by facility policies.
• Coordinate daily housekeeping services with nursing services when performing routine cleaning assignments in resident living and/or recreational areas.
• Coordinate skill check-off verification and housekeeping-related competencies as required/directed.
• Attend department and staff meetings as directed or called; arrive timely, prepared to actively participate.
• Contribute to the annual facility assessment as directed; identify tools, training and resources which would increase efficiency and/or overall job effectiveness; submit workflow recommendations to supervisor.
• Carry linens, towels, toilet items and cleaning supplies using proper sanitary and safety techniques (i.e., securing chemicals, covering linen(s), etc.).
• 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.)

Housekeeping Functions

• Clean and disinfect equipment and supplies using germicides or sterilization procedures as directed.
• Monitor environment for potential hazards in the course of performing routine housekeeping tasks.
• Prioritize housekeeping requests involving safety issues and/or time sensitive projects including pre-arrival room checks for new admissions, spilled beverages, etc.
• Clean vacant rooms as assigned; document cleaning and sanitization services per facility policies.
• Ensure proper disposal of infectious waste(s) into appropriate containers as required by state/federal regulations and the facility infection prevention plan.
• Discard waste/trash into proper containers and reline trash receptacle with plastic liner; service routinely and when necessary to keep containers from overflowing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 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 areas for breaks, meal times and end of the work day.
• Perform cleaning procedures in accordance with established infection prevention and control procedures.
• Clean carpets by vacuuming, shampooing, deodorizing and disinfecting; report trip hazards.
• Clean floors by 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.)
• Clean rooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, stairways, locker rooms and other work areas to ensure compliance with state/federal regulations and facility policies.
• Clean walls and ceilings by washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, etc.
• Clean windows/mirrors in resident rooms, recreational areas, bathrooms and entrance/exit ways.
• Clean, wash, sanitize and/or polish bathroom fixtures; ensure that water marks are removed from fixtures.
• Empty wastebaskets, empty and clean ashtrays and transport other trash and waste to disposal areas.
• Perform day-to-day housekeeping functions as assigned.
• Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work Remove dirt, dust, grease, film, etc., from surfaces using proper cleaning/disinfecting solutions. assignments.

Staff Development Functions

• Ensure that all required skill development events are attended as directed; complete competencies timely.
• Provide orientation, training and/or mentoring as directed for the onboarding of new team members.
• Attend and participate in annual facility in-service training programs as scheduled.
• Participate and assist in department studies and quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI)projects as directed.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

• Follow established infection prevention and control, Life Safety Code, risk management and fire safety policies and procedures.
• Keep work/assignment areas free of hazardous objects such as protruding mop/broom handles, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.; keep chemicals secure from residents to mitigate risk.
• Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.
• Report missing or improperly labeled containers of hazardous chemicals to immediate supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies when handling infectious materials and/or hazardous wastes or chemicals; direct questions to supervisor or Infection Preventionist.
• Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving heavy objects; follow established ergonomic protocols.

Resident Rights Functions

• Knock before entering a resident’s room.
• Be knowledgeable of resident rights and provide for resident privacy at all times.

Miscellaneous Functions

Turn in all found articles to your supervisor; assist in the search for missing resident items as directed.

Working Conditions

• Works in all areas of the facility.
• 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 work on shifts other than the one for which hired.
• Attends and participates in continuing education programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday as well as 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.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, an 8th grade education.

Experience

None required. On-the-job training provided.

Specific Requirements

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions, follow instructions and accept constructive criticism.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
• 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 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.
• 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 follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixing of cleaning compounds, liquids, disinfecting solutions, etc.
• 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 residents and 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:

A check mark entered into this column indicates the risk potential of your exposure to blood or body fluids. Established procedures identify the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that you should use when performing this task.

(2) Essential Functions Column:

A check mark entered into this column indicates that you may be required to perform this task.

(3) Safety Factors Column:

RM = Repetitive Motion:

A “RM” 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.

WL = Minimum Weight Lifting Requirement:

A “WL” 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 usedwhen performing this task. Minimumweight lifting requirements that you must perform are located in the “Physical and Sensory Requirements” section of this job description.

SB = Prolonged Sitting, Standing and Bending:

A “SB” 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.