LAUNDRY AIDE - Aperion Care West Chicago

SUMMARY: The primary purpose of your job position is to perform the day-to-day Laundry Department functions, to assure that quality laundry services are provided on a daily basis, to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all residents of the facility, and to assure the facility laundry is maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary manner, in accordance with the facility's established policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations and the directions of your supervisors, who include the Laundry Supervisor, Administrator, Assistant Administrator, and other members of the facility's management to whom such persons report, in order to assure that the highest level of laundry services for the facility's residents is maintained at all times. As a Laundry Aide, you are delegated the authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the facility’s philosophy of care and strive to achieve its goals and objectives.
• Sort soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc. and place in appropriate containers or assigned areas in the laundry room.
• Sort soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc. and separate those items that require special stain removal/treatment.
• Wash and dry soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc. and run accordance with established procedures.
• Fold, count, stack, hang, and distribute clean laundry, linen, garments, etc. to residents daily, and/or as instructed.
• Clean laundry room floors, to include sweeping, and damp/wet mopping.
• Clean walls and ceilings of laundry rooms by washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing.
• Remove dirt, dust, lint, grease, film, etc. from equipment and floor surfaces using proper cleaning/ disinfecting solutions.
• During emergency conditions, assure that clean laundry, linen, garments, etc. are distributed to designated areas as instructed.
• Turn in all unidentified laundry, linen, garments, etc. to the supervisor.
• Discard waste/trash into proper containers in accordance with established sanitation procedures and reline trash receptacle with plastic liner.
• Assure that work/assignment areas are clean and free of hazardous conditions, i.e. spills, excess laundry carts, baskets, supplies, etc. and that equipment, tools, supplies, etc. are properly stored while working, as well as before leaving such areas for breaks, meal times, and end of the work day.
• Assure that established infection control and standard precaution practices are maintained when performing laundry procedures.
• Use protective clothing/devices when performing tasks that involve the handling of infectious garments and linen and/or blood/body fluids.
• Coordinate daily laundry services with the nursing staff when performing routine assignments in resident living areas.
• Follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and using equipment or supplies.
• Assure that equipment is cleaned and prepared for the next shift.
• Report all equipment malfunctions and breakdowns to the supervisor as soon as possible and keep the supervisor informed of supply needs and equipment needing replacement.
• Assure that work/cleaning schedules are followed.
• Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to the supervisor.
• Report all accidents/incidents to the supervisor.
• Maintain the confidentiality of resident information and honor his/her personal and property rights.
• Attend housekeeping/laundry department meetings as directed.
• Attend and participate in in-service educational classes and on-the-job training programs as scheduled or as directed.
• Turn in Days Off and payroll special request forms, supply sheets, and annual medical examinations in a timely fashion.
• Follow established fire, disaster, and evacuation policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of Housekeeping and the Administrator.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.
• Must possess, as a minimum, an 8th grade education.
• Must demonstrate the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must demonstrate 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, the appearance of work areas, and perform regular inspections of the laundry area and equipment for sanitation, order, safety and proper performance of assigned duties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• 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.