Housekeeper

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your position is to perform 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 may be directed by the Environmental Services Director and/or Administrator, to assure that our Facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable manner.

Delegation of Authority

As Housekeeper you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Function

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Ensure that work and cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.

• Report all accidents and incidents to your supervisor no matter how minor they may be. (NOTE: Such occurrences must be reported on the shift in which they occur.)

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

• Must adhere to all HIPAA requirements.

Staff Development

• Participate and assist in department meetings, studies, and projects, as directed.

• Attend and participate in in-service educational classes, on-the-job training programs, etc., as scheduled or as directed.

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

Safety and Sanitation

• 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 (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.

• Keep work assignment areas free of hazardous objects such as protruding mop/broom handles, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.

• Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions used for cleaning. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions when necessary.

• Follow established policies governing the use of labels and MSDSs.

• Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.

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

• Participate in appropriate in-service training program prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals.

• Report missing or improperly labeled containers of hazardous chemicals to your supervision.

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment and supplies when handling infectious materials and/or hazardous wastes or chemicals.

• Follow established hand-washing procedures.

• Dispose of refuse daily in accordance with our established sanitation procedures.

• Follow established policies governing the use or disposal of personal protective equipment and disposal of infectious wastes.

• Coordinate routine and terminal isolation procedures with nursing service.

Equipment and Supply Functions

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

• Keep supervisor informed of supply needs.

• Report burned out light bulbs, exit lights, overhead lights, fluorescent lights, room call lights, etc., to your supervisor as soon as practical.

• Assist others in lifting heavy equipment, supplies, etc., as directed or requested.

• Clean work/supply carts, equipment, etc., as necessary or directed.

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

Housekeeping Services

• Perform day-to-day housekeeping functions as assigned.

• Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.

• Empty and sanitize ashtrays daily. (NOTE: Ashtrays must be emptied into appropriate metal containers with self-closing cover devices.)

• Clean and polish furnishings, fixtures, ledges, room heating or cooling units, etc., in resident rooms, recreational areas, etc., daily as instructed.

• Clean, wash, sanitize, and/or polish bathroom fixtures. Ensure that watermarks are removed from fixtures.

• Clean windows and mirrors in resident rooms, recreational areas, bathrooms, and entrance or exit ways.

• Clean floors, to include sweeping, dusting, damp or wet mopping, stripping, waxing, buffing, disinfecting, etc. (NOTE: Ensure that appropriate caution and safety signs are properly set up prior to performing such duties.)

• Clean carpets, to include vacuuming, shampooing, deodorizing, and disinfecting.

• Clean walls and ceilings by washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, etc.

• Remove dirt, dust, grease, film, etc., from surfaces using proper cleaning or disinfecting solutions.

• Clean hallways, stairways, and elevators.

• Turn in all found articles to your supervisor.

Working Conditions

• Works in all areas of the Facility.

• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies or personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

• Communicates with housekeeping personnel and other department personnel.

• May be required to work on shifts other than the one for which hired.

• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Education

• Not applicable.

Experience

• Not applicable. On-the-job training provided.

Specific Requirements

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

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

• 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.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without a Reasonable Accommodation)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

• Must possess sight and 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 meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the Facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.

• Based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Guidelines for Nursing Homes Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the American Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values for Lifting the Facility has identified that this job may require the lifting of residents, equipment, or other objects. Accordingly, this job may require a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 35 pounds lifting, periodically and or as needed.