Housekeeping Aide

Description

Position Summary

The Housekeeping Aide works under the supervision of the Housekeeping/Laundry Supervisor providing a variety of Housekeeping duties in maintaining the nursing home in an orderly, sanitary condition cleaning and organizing resident rooms, closets, bathrooms, hallways, offices, and other assigned areas of the Facility in accordance to federal, state regulations and facility policies and procedures.  

Position Responsibilities

• Has primary responsibility for ensuring Facility linens are fresh, clearing away garbage,  and cleaning floors and/or rugs and carpet according to Company policy.  Common responsibilities for Laundry Aide’s include (but are not limited to): 
• Promotes and maintains a focus of patient-centered care
• Adheres to laws, rules & regulations and practices ethical integrity and interpersonal skills
• Maintains compliance with long-term care regulations including federal, state and health regulations
• Demonstrates ability to adjust to changes in shift assignments to meet Facility needs
• Handles all housekeeping in accordance with sanitary guidelines and safety precautions
• Cleaning and sanitizing rooms or other assigned areas including bathing spaces, sinks, toilets; vacuuming, sweeping and mopping
• Changing linens and removing debris
• Dusting, polishing, cleaning furniture and accessories
• Washing windows and mirrors, removing stains or marks and emptying all trash
• Check for damages to company property and submit reports to supervisor
• Maintain supply carts with adequate supplies and communicate throughout the day with supervisors and other staff members to ensure daily duties and assignments are met
• Respond to the needs of residents in a prompt and courteous manner while maintaining resident satisfaction
• Perform position duties in a manner as to assure resident safety and rights are priority
• Adheres to the facility corporate compliance program and promotes the program in a positive and effective manner
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment/shift setting

Other Responsibilities

• Follows facility OSHA safety rules and procedures
• Follows facility policies and procedures and adheres to federal and state regulations for long-term care
• Respects cultural and religious practices of patients
• Upholds HIPAA regulations
• Maintains a punctual and dependable attendance record

Position Requirements

• High School graduate or GED
• Position Description
• Eighteen (18) years or older
• Good customer service skills
• Ability to work efficiently and quickly
• Federal, State, and MHI required credentials current and on file
• Able to read and write consistent with the job requirements, cognitive skills as related to the position
• Proficient interpersonal relations and communicative skills

Working Conditions

Because the patients need round-the clock care, working hours include days, nights, weekends and holidays.  The number of patients assigned per shift will vary with facility and specialty, if applicable.  The Housekeeping Staff must guard against back injury because they may have to assist with carrying or moving loads of linen and supplies, cleaning, and mopping,  and other duties; they must follow proper body mechanics and procedures for lifting/moving linen,  cleaning equipment, trash  and supplies.  Employees are encouraged to safely move linen, cleaning equipment, trash and supplies and use alternative methods whenever possible; alternative methods include requesting assistance to roll/lift/transfer of linen/clothing and/or supplies.  Housekeeping Staff may face hazards from exposure to chemicals and infectious diseases.  In addition, the population cared for will contain patients that are confused, irrational, agitated, and/or uncooperative.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift fifty (50) pounds.  Moving, lifting or transferring of housekeeping product/ supplies may involve lifting of up to one- hundred (100) pounds
• Ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull or carry housekeeping product/supplies
• Ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles over time without fatigue
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to bend, stoop, stretch, twist, sit, and reach
• Fine motor skills
• Visual acuity

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and may lift and/or move 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  

Physical Demand Ratings are an estimate of the overall strength requirements that are consider to be important for an average, successful work performance of a specific job.  The overall physical demand rating for Housekeeping Staff falls within the Medium classification.  However, this position has been classified as Heavy (exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects).  Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.