Assistant Director of Environmental Services

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operation of the Environmental Services Department (Housekeeping and Laundry Services) in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable manner.

Delegation of Authority

As the Director of Environmental Services, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

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

Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the Environmental Services Department, its programs and activities.

Develop and maintain written environmental services policies and procedures.

Develop and maintain written job descriptions and performance evaluations for each level of environmental services personnel in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, OSHA, and other pertinent laws and regulations.

Assist the environmental services staff in development and use of departmental policies, procedures, equipment, supplies, etc.

Review the department's policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually for revisions, and make recommendations to the Administrator (e.g., ADA, ergonomics, air quality, etc.).

Interpret the department's policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etc.

Ensure that all office personnel follow established policies and procedures.

Assume the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the Environmental Services Department.

Coordinate environmental services and activities with other related departments (i.e., Food Services, Nursing, etc.)

Make written and oral reports / recommendations to the Administrator as necessary / required, concerning the operation of the Environmental Services Department.

Submit accident / incident reports to the Business Office within twenty-four (24) hours after the occurrence of the accident / incident.

Assist the Infection Control Preventionist and / or Committee in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job related functions to ensure that environmental services tasks involving potential exposure to blood / body fluids are properly identified and recorded.

Inspect storage rooms, utility / janitorial closets, etc., for upkeep and supply control.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.

Review and develop a plan of correction for environmental services deficiencies noted during survey inspections and provide a written copy of such plan / corrections to the Administrator.

Keep abreast of economic conditions / situations and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in environmental services that assure the continued ability to provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment.

Perform administrative duties such as completing necessary forms, reports, evaluations, studies, etc.

Delegate a responsible staff member to act in your behalf when you are absent from the facility.

Committee Functions

Serve on various committees of the facility to include, but not limited to, Infection Control, Safety, QA, and QAPI and provide written / oral reports of the environmental services and activities as required by the Committee's guidelines or direction.

Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees (i.e., Infection Control, Safety, QA, QAPI, etc.)

Meet with environmental services personnel on a regularly scheduled basis, and solicit advice from inter-department supervisors concerning the operation of the environmental services department; assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and / or the improvement of services.

Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called.

Schedule and announce departmental meeting times, dates, places, etc.

Personnel Functions

Determine departmental staffing requirements necessary to meet the environmental services department's need.

Recommend to the Administrator and / or Business Office Manager the number and level of environmental services personnel to be employed.

Assist in recruitment and selection of environmental services personnel.

Ensure that appropriate identification documents are presented prior to employment and that such records are maintained in the employee's personnel record.

Assign a sufficient number of environmental services personnel for each shift.

Schedule department working hours (including vacation and holiday schedules), personnel, work assignments, cleaning schedules, etc., to expedite work.

Monitor absenteeism to ensure that an adequate number of environmental services personnel are on duty at all times.

Delegate administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability to other environmental services personnel as deemed necessary to perform their assigned duties.

Assist in standardizing the methods in which environmental services tasks will be performed.

Review and check competence of environmental services personnel and make necessary adjustments / corrections as required or that may become necessary.

Counsel / discipline environmental services personnel, in accordance with facility policy and procedures, as requested or as necessary.

Ensure that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status.

Terminate the employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the Administrator.

Review and respond to complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel.

Provide complaint / grievance reports to the Administrator as required or as may be necessary.

Make daily rounds to assure that environmental services personnel are performing required duties and to assure that appropriate environmental services procedures are being rendered to meet the needs of the facility.

Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures.

Complete Annual performance evaluations on your staff in a timely manner.

Complete Annual Competencies test upon hire and annually for all your staff.

Maintain a productive working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate environmental services to assure that care and services can be performed without interruption.

Staff Development

Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, scheduling, etc., of in-service training classes, on-the-job training, and orientation programs for environmental services personnel.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.

Assume the responsibility for maintaining your professional competence through participation in programs of continuing education (i.e., housekeeping seminars, laundry services, infection control training programs, etc.).

Ensure that all environmental services personnel attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and blood borne pathogens standard.

Safety and Sanitation

Participate in safety, fire protection and prevention programs, infection control and OSHA requirements by inspecting work areas and equipment at least weekly.

Ensure that environmental services personnel follow established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies at all times.

Ensure that all personnel wear and / or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., hand trucks, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving heavy objects.

Ensure that facility is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained and operable to perform necessary duties and services.

Ensure that a stock level of housekeeping and laundry supplies, disinfectants, equipment, etc., is maintained to provide a clean, safe and comfortable environment.

Ensure that current material safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals used by the environmental services department are on file and easily accessible.

Ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals in the department are properly labeled and stored. Report problem areas to the Safety Officer.

Ensure that all environmental services personnel are trained to use labels and MSDSs to recognize hazards and to follow appropriate protective measures.

Develop, maintain, and implement infection control and universal precautions policies and procedures to assure that a sanitary environment is maintained at all times and that aseptic and isolation techniques are followed by all environmental services personnel.

Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks.

Ensure that environmental services personnel follow established hand washing procedures.

Assist the Maintenance Director in developing and implementing waste disposal policies and procedures for the environmental services department.

Ensure that environmental services personnel follow established policies governing the use / disposal of personal protective equipment and disposal of infectious wastes.

Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's established policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

Ensure that environmental services policies and procedures identify appropriate safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that could result in bodily injury.

Other(s) that may become necessary / appropriate to assure that the facility is maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary manner.

Equipment and Supply Functions

Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.

Ensure that cleaning and laundry supplies used by the facility for disinfection and decontamination purposes are EPA approved.

Monitor environmental services procedures to ensure that supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

Ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment used in the handling of infectious materials is available and easily accessible to housekeeping and laundry personnel.

Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or as may be required.

Ensure that equipment contaminated with blood or other infectious waste, is properly labeled / tagged before being sent for repair of decontamination.

Budget and Planning Functions

Assist in preparing and planning the Environmental Services Department's budget and submit to Administrator for review, recommendations, and approval.

Maintain current written records of department expenditures and assure that adequate financial records and cost reports are submitted to the Administrator upon request or as necessary.

Resident Rights

Maintain confidentiality of all resident information.

Ensure that the resident's personal and property rights are followed by environmental services personnel at all times.

Ensure that environmental services personnel inform residents when it is necessary to move personal possessions (i.e., cleaning, stripping floors, etc.).

Knock before entering a resident's room.

Review environmental services complaints and grievances made by personnel, residents, family members, or visitors, and make oral / written reports to the Administrator.

Miscellaneous

Ensure that all departmental employees follow established departmental policies and procedures.

Make weekly inspections of all housekeeping and laundry functions to assure that quality control measures are continually maintained.

Working Conditions

Works in office areas as well as throughout the environmental services areas (i.e., resident rooms, therapy rooms, food services, etc.).

Moves intermittently during work hours. Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with residents, family members, personnel, visitors, government agencies / personnel, etc., under all conditions / circumstances.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Communicates with environmental services personnel and other department supervisors.

Works beyond normal working hours, weekends and holidays and on other shift / positions as necessary.

Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g. severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

Is subject to frustration in keeping up with administrative requirements.

Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Is subject to injury from falls, bums from equipment, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc. throughout the work day, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Maintains a liaison with other department supervisors to adequately plan for environmental services / activities.

Education Requirements

Must possess, as a minimum, a 12th grade education or its equivalent.

Experience

Must have, as a minimum, 2 year(s) experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital or other related healthcare facility.

Training in environmental control practices and procedures preferred, but not required.

Specific Requirements

Must possess and maintain an "Eligible" ACHA Background Screening status.

Must possess knowledge of OSHA regulations.

Must possess knowledge of laws and regulation which govern a Long Term Care facility.

Must possess knowledge of ADA laws and regulations.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies / personnel, and the general public.

Must be knowledgeable of environmental services practices and procedures as well as the laws, regulations and guidelines governing environmental services functions in the long term care facility.

Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc. of the Environmental Services Department.

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

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle residents based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.

Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing environmental services practices.

Must have the ability to relate information concerning a resident's condition.

Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.

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 possess sight / hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be fully met.

Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.

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 relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to push, pull, move, and / or lift a minimum of 35 pounds to a minimum

height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and / or carry such weight a

minimum distance of 450 feet.

May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Acknowledgment

I have read this job description and fully understand the requirements set forth therein. I hereby accept the position of Director of Environmental Services and agree to perform the identified essential functions in a safe manner and in accordance with the facility's established procedures. I understand that as a result of my employment, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants (including tobacco smoke), and hazardous chemicals and that the facility will provide to me instructions on how to prevent and control such exposures. I further understand that I may also be exposed to Hepatitis B Virus and that the facility will make available to me, free of charge, the hepatitis B vaccination.

I understand that my employment is at-will, and thereby understand that my employment may be terminated at-will either by the facility or myself, and that such termination can be made with or without notice.