Environmental Services Director

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The Environmental Services Director is responsible for efficiently managing the facility’s housekeeping operations and the Environmental Services staff. The primary function of this position is to ensure nursing home residents enjoy a clean and orderly living environment.

Authority to make administrative decisions with regard to the hiring, training and assignment of personnel, recommending employee promotions and terminations.

Develops systems and programs for maximizing the effectiveness of the housekeeping functions.

Performs regular daily, weekly and monthly environmental services inspections in order to ensure the facility is maintained in a safe and sanitary manner according to facility policy.

Oversees the purchases of cleaning supplies, chemicals, paper products, office supplies, and departmental equipment as needed to meet department demands.

Maintains required records and reports as outlined in the policies and procedures of the Environmental Services Department.

Adheres to local, state and federal environmental, health and safety regulations.

Participates in facility disaster planning efforts including, ensuring staff participation in regular fire drills as required by state statute, maintaining emergency supplies, and performing all staff training.

Refers decisions that require policy changes and approval of outside contracts to the nursing home Administrator.

Consistently follows a written, current master cleaning plan for the entire facility.

Reviews and evaluates the work performance of assigned personnel as well as counsels/ disciplines assigned personnel according to the established company personnel policy.

Environmental Services Director Assigned Tasks

• Prepares and properly maintains required records, reports and evaluations.
• Obtains necessary equipment and supplies and provide for their accessibility through organized storage.
• Coordinates with the Administrator in developing a departmental budget.
• Contributes to the facility efforts to maintain and/or improve quality of care through participation in the following:

• Serves as a member of the QAPI Committee.
• Attends department head meetings.
• Attends mandatory in-services.
• Attends Infection Control Committee meetings.
• Evaluates new products while adhering to guidelines and national services standards.

Additional Tasks

• Treats all residents with dignity and respect. Promotes and protects all residents’ rights.
• Establishes a culture of compliance by adhering to all facility policies and procedures. Complies with standards of business conduct, and state/federal regulations and guidelines.
• Follows appropriate safety and hygiene measures at all times to protect residents and themselves.
• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, including verbal, written, and electronic communications.
• Reports noncompliance with policies, procedures, regulations, or breaches in confidentiality to appropriate personnel. Reports any retaliation or discrimination to HR or compliance officer.
• Reports any allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, exploitation, or mistreatment of residents to supervisor and/or administrator. Protects residents from abuse, and cooperates with all investigations.
• Reports any occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and/or hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policy.
• Participates in all life safety and emergency drills and trainings. Fulfills responsibilities as assigned during implementation or activation of the facility’s emergency plan.
• Reports work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to supervisor.
• Follows established infection control policies and procedures.
• As a condition of employment, completes all assigned training and skills competency.

Required Qualifications

The environmental services department must be directed by a qualified professional who:

• Preferably has an Associate Degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• And:

• Has at least three years of supervisory experience (preferably in a skilled nursing facility in environmental services).
• Has the ability to read and interpret documents such as rules, equipment operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Has the ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Possess mathematical skills such as ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentages.
• Has knowledge of pertinent regulatory agencies and other policies, codes, standards and regulations.
• Has knowledge of infection control techniques.

Personal Skills and Traits Desired/ Physical Requirements

• Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work.
• Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
• Must have patience, tact, and willingness to deal with difficult residents, family and staff.
• Must be able to relay information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.
• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Meets general health requirements according to facility policy, including medical and physical exams and checking immunity status to various infectious diseases.
• Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Ability to assist in evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, perform overhead lifting and perform other common physical movements as needed for the position.
• May be subject to falls, burns from equipment, and/or odors throughout the day; encounter reactions from dust, tobacco smoke, disinfectants, and other air contaminants.
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases and/or conditions which include AIDS, Coronavirus, Hepatitis B, and Tuberculosis.
• May be subject to hostile or emotional residents, family members, visitors or personnel.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to exercise judgement.
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Resourcefulness.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Positive attitude.
• Ability to coordinate and conduct meetings, set and achieve goals.
• Ability to be organized and efficient.
• Basic computer skills.

Compliance as a Condition of Employment and Performance Appraisal

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 Administrator. Periodic revision may be necessary to reflect changes in expectations placed on long term care by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This job description will be reviewed and/or revised by the Administrator annually and as needed.

Individual performance will be evaluated using the following scale:

• Unsatisfactory: Achieves results which are far less than the standards identified for the performance factors rated.
• Needs Improvement: Achieves results which are less than the standards identified for the performance factors rated. Exhibits the potential to become a competent performer. May be new to job or need skill development.
• Meets Standards: Achieves results which meet the standards identified for the performance factors rated. This rating is the expected level of performance.
• Exceeds Standards: Achieves results which usually exceed the standards identified for the performance factors rated.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and [insert state civil rights law], it is the policy of [Facility Name] to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [include name and/or department, telephone, and e-mail address].