JOB SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of the Laundry Aide position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Laundry Department and as may be directed by your supervisor and to assure resident safety.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative Functions

• Ensure that work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.
• Assist in coordinating daily laundry services with nursing and activity services when performing routine assignments in resident living areas.
• Attend department and staff meetings as directed.
• File complaints/grievances with your supervisor.
• Turn in all lost and found articles to your supervisor.
• Maintain a lost and found area in the laundry department.

Laundry Services Functions

• Perform day-to-day laundry functions as assigned.
• Perform specific tasks according to daily work assignments.
• Perform assigned tasks according to established laundry procedures.
• Collect, sort, count and/or weigh soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc. and place in appropriate containers or assigned areas.
• Separate items that require special stain removal/treatment.
• Press/iron garments as instructed.
• Fold, count, stack, hang, label and distribute clean laundry to residents daily 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 mopping as requested.
• Keep laundry area clean and sanitary.
• Remove dust, dirt, grease, etc. from equipment and/or floor surfaces as necessary.
• Discard waste/trash into proper containers and reline receptacle with plastic liner.

Staff Development Functions

• Participate in department projects as directed.
• Attend in-service programs and on-the-job training classes as directed.
• Attend annual OSHA and CDC in-service programs for hazard communication, TB management and blood borne pathogens standards.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

• 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 kept in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Keep work areas free of hazardous objects, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.
• Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions used in the work area. Always refer to MSDSs when necessary.
• Follow established procedures for product labeling and MSDSs.
• Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.
• Report any and all accidents/incidents to your supervisor during the shift in which they occur.
• Ensure that established infection control and universal precautions are followed.
• Use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment when handling infectious materials.
• Discard sharps into designated container.
• Follow established hand washing procedures.
• Dispose of refuse daily according to proper sanitation procedures.
• Coordinate isolation procedures with nursing services.
• Participate in in-service training prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids or hazardous chemicals.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Ensure that an adequate supply of laundry products is maintained to meet the daily needs of the residents.
• Keep supervisor informed of supply needs.
• Report all broken or malfunctioning equipment to your supervisor.
• Ensure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of your shift.

Resident Rights Responsibilities

• Maintain the confidentially of all resident information.
• Knock before entering the resident’s room.
• Honor the resident’s personal and property rights.
• Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.
• Inform resident when it is necessary to move his/her personal possessions.
• Report complaints of missing or mislabeled property to your supervisor.

Working Conditions

• Works primarily in the laundry area as well as in all areas of the facility.
• Moves intermittently during work hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions and may need to reschedule laundry activities.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agency personnel, etc. under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.
• Communicates with other laundry personnel, nursing personnel and other department personnel.
• Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, and in other positions, temporarily, when necessary.
• Is subject to callback during emergency conditions.
• 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 to reactions from dust, plastics, synthetics, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other potential contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, disease, conditions, etc. including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education

• Must possess a minimum, a tenth (10th) 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 feedback.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agency personnel, and the general public.
• Must possess the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Must have patience, tact, a positive attitude and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing 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 distinguish between cotton, wool and synthetics.
• Must be familiar with proper heat to apply to particular fabrics to prevent damage.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• 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 be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure 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, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirement set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at time hostile people within the facility.
• 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 push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of five (5) pounds to a minimum height of three (3) feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of five (5) feet.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Sitting: 1 hour per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing or walking.
• Standing: 1-2 hours per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to walking and occasionally to sitting.
• Walking: 5-6 hours per 8 hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing and occasionally to sitting.
• Lifting: 1-10 lbs. Continuously

11-20 lbs. Continuously

21-75 lbs. Frequently

> 75 lbs. Frequently

• Carrying: 1-10 lbs. Continuously

11-20 lbs. Frequently

21-35 lbs. Occasionally

• Driving: Rarely
• Pushing: Frequently
• Bending: Continuously
• Squatting: Frequently
• Kneeling: Occasionally
• Crawling: Rarely
• Climbing: Rarely
• Reaching: Continuously
• Grasping: Frequently
• Fine Manipulation: Frequently

(Frequency: Never=0%; Rarely=1-10%; Occasionally=11=33%; Frequently = 34-66%; Continuously = 67% )

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education

• Must possess a minimum, a tenth (10th) grade education.

Experience

• None required. On-the-job training provided.