Laundry

Description

JOB SUMMARY

This is a brief synopsis of overall job duties.

 The primary purpose of your position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Laundry Department in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines, and regulations to ensure the facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner, and that adequate supply of laundry/linen is on hand at all times to meet the needs of the resident.

JOB CLASSIFICATION

Laundry Aide

SUPERVISION

Supervised by:  Housekeeping/Laundry/Central Supply Supervisor

Supervises: None

Qualifications

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Must be able to read and write English and follow oral and written directions.
• Background clearance mandatory (TB, Drug Screening, Physical).
• Must have strong communication and organizational skills.
• Must have high effective teamwork skills and want to make a difference.
• Must be a positive team player and maintain a positive attitude.
• Must be flexible in working hours and days (weekends and holidays) and be willing to work extra hours as needed. 

Education- Certificates, Licenses or Registrations:

• At minimum a grade-School education.

Experience:

•  Six months experience in an institutional laundry preferred, but not required.

Personal Skills and Traits Desired:

• Good verbal and written communications skills.
• Evidence of effective problem resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Ability to make decisions and accept responsibility for the consequences.
• Ability to be organized and efficient.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to act as a role model in conduct and appearance. 
•  Create and maintain positive resident and family relationships. 
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally in a team environment.
•  Working knowledge of how to wash and fold laundry.
• Must have a high threshold for working around and with chemicals.

Laundry Aide Duties and Responsibilities include the following: (Other duties may be assigned.)

• Spot clean, sort, wash, dry, fold, hang and deliver (covered) resident personal laundry and facility linens.
• Temperature check daily to ensure water temperature is within federal/state guidelines.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment.
•  Assure that work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely as is practical.
•  Coordinate daily laundry services with nursing services when performing routine assignments in resident living areas and those whom are on isolation precautions.
• Report all hazardous conditions and equipment to the Supervisor.
•  Assure that established infection control and universal precaution practices are maintained when performing laundry procedures.
• Keep work area free of hazardous objects, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc. Follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and when using equipment and supplies.
• Assure equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift.
•  Keep supervisor aware of equipment and supply needs.
•  Report all equipment malfunctions or breakdowns to your supervisor as soon as practical.
• Assure that an adequate supply of clean linen is maintained in laundry/linen closets to meet the daily needs of the residents.
• Clean supply carts, equipment, etc., as necessary/directed.
• Keep work area free of hazardous conditions, i.e., spills, excess laundry carts, baskets, supplies, equipment, etc.
• Collect, sort and weigh soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., from each unit and place in appropriate containers or assigned areas. Facility does not wash any laundry that is soiled with resident bodily fluids.  All laundry which has bodily fluids on them will be sent to Winfield for laundry services.
• Sort soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., and separate those items that require special stain removal/treatment each morning.
• Sort, count, and wash soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., in accordance with established procedures; be responsible for loading and unloading washers and dryers.
• Press/iron garments as instructed.
• Clean floors, including sweeping, dusting, and damp/wet mopping. (NOTE: Assure that appropriate caution/safety signs are properly set up prior to performing such duties.
• Fold, count, stack, hang, and distribute clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., to units/residents daily and/or as instructed.
• Keep walls and ceilings clean by washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, etc.
• Remove dirt, dust, grease, film, etc., from equipment or floor surfaces, using proper cleaning/disinfecting solutions.
• During emergency conditions, assure that clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., are distributed to designated areas as instructed.
• Discard waste/trash into proper containers and reline trash receptacle with plastic liner.
• Keep the Housekeeping/Laundry/Central Supply Supervisor informed of the quality and quantity of linen on hand.
•  Mark new linen and wash it before it is put into service.
• Other duties as requested.

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail
• Communication skills-verbal and written
• Decision-making
• Customer services orientation
• Teamwork                                                                       

Physical and Sensory Requirements

1. Stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours.  
2. Must be able to lift 50 pounds; stretch arms above head; bend to clean under furniture.
3. On feet most of workday.
4. Pushes, pulls, lifts, cleaning equipment and supplies.
5. May stand on chair or small stepladder to reach high places.
6. Exposed irregularly to infection when entering resident rooms.
7. Subject to frequent interruptions.
8. Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner
9. Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
10. Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel and support agencies.
11. Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
12. Exposures to infectious diseases are possible. Employees who are immunosuppressed should be aware of the potential hazards.
13.  Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
14. May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
15. Must maintain appropriate personal hygiene and apparel for Laundry environment.
16. Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day.
17. Exposed to noise, heat and humid conditions.
18. May be subjected to infectious diseases, substances, contaminated articles, conditions, etc. including the potential exposure to the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

Contribute to facility efforts to maintain and/or improve quality of care through participation in the following:

1. Attend and participate in all mandatory in-services.
2. Attend and participate in mandatory learning circles.

This job description is intended to convey the general scope of the major duties and responsibilities inherent in this position. Other tasks not listed here may be assigned by the Housekeeping/Laundry/Central Supply Supervisor and/or the Administrator. Periodic revision may be necessary to reflect changes in expectations placed on long term care by the KDADs. This job description will be reviewed and/or revised by the Housekeeping/Laundry/Central Supply Supervisor annually and as needed.