HOUSEKEEPING AIDE

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The primary purpose of your job position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Housekeeping/Laundry department in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as may be directed by the administrator, to assure that the highest degree of care and/or services can be maintained at all times.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

As Housekeeping/Laundry Aide, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

JOB FUNCTIONS

The Facility has reviewed this job description to ensure that the essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employees ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. 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. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Facility reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Facility may deem appropriate.

SUPPORT OF MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY

By accepting employment with Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence, each employee must agree to foster an atmosphere which reflects the Mission and Philosophy of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, incorporating the Philosophy Values into daily care and/or services as well as into interactions and associations with residents, co-workers, volunteers and guests.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Perform day-to-day and specific housekeeping tasks as assigned or requested. Ensure that work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.
• Coordinate daily housekeeping services with nursing services when performing routine cleaning assignments in resident living and/or recreational areas.
• Clean/polish furnishings, fixtures, ledges, room heating/cooling units/vents, etc., in resident rooms, common areas, etc., daily as instructed.
• Clean, wash, sanitize, and/or polish bathroom fixtures. Ensure that water marks are removed from fixtures.
• Clean windows/mirrors in resident rooms, common areas, bathrooms, and entrance/exit ways.
• Clean floors, to including sweeping, dusting, damp/wet mopping, stripping, waxing, buffing, disinfecting, etc. (NOTE: Ensure that appropriate caution/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/disinfecting solutions.
• Clean hallways, stairways, and elevators.
• Discard waste/trash into proper containers and re-line trash receptacles with plastic liner.
• Clean vacant rooms as assigned.
• Ensure that work/assignment areas are maintained in a clean, safe, comfortable, and attractive manner and that equipment, tools, supplies, etc., are clean and properly stored at all times, as well as before leaving such areas for breaks, meals, and end of work day. Keep work/assignment areas free of hazardous objects such as protruding mop/broom handles, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.
• Ensure that an adequate supply of laundry/linen supplies is maintained in laundry/linen closets to meet the daily needs of the residents.
• Collect, sort, weigh and wash soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., and place in appropriate containers or assigned areas in accordance with established procedures.
• Sort soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., and separate those items that require special stain removal/treatment.
• Remove lint from dryers three times a day.
• Press/iron garments as instructed.
• Fold, count, stack, hang, and distribute clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., to residents daily and/or as instructed.
• During emergency conditions, assure that clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., are distributed to designated areas as instructed.
• Clean floors and equipment in laundry area including sweeping, dusting, and damp/wet mopping using proper cleaning/disinfecting solutions. (NOTE: Assure that appropriate caution/safety signs are properly set up prior to performing such duties.)
• Turn in all found articles to your supervisor.
• Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions used for cleaning. Refer to manufacturers instructions when necessary.
• Perform isolation cleaning procedures in accordance with established infection control procedures.
• Discard infectious waste into appropriate containers.
• Assist with garbage collection throughout the facility as requested.
• Assist with snow removal as requested.
• Turn in all found articles to your supervisor.
• Ensure that an adequate supply of housekeeping supplies to perform daily tasks is maintained in utility/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 and participate in department studies and projects as directed.
• Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor no matter how minor they may be. (NOTE: Such occurrences must be reported on this shift in which they occur.)
• Respond to fire alarms as required (refer to Fire Safety Manual for employees responsibilities and those that are specific to your position.
• Follow established infection control measures in the performance of duties, including, but not limited to, hand hygiene, exposure to blood and body fluids, and universal precautions.
• Treat all residents fairly, with kindness, dignity and respect.
• Report all allegations of resident abuse, neglect and/or misappropriation of property.
• Train or direct other employees and volunteers as requested.
• Maintain compliance with applicable regulations.
• Attend and participate in in-service education and on-the-job training as directed, especially mandatory in-services and department meetings.
• Follow all safety procedures and precautions in the performance of your duties and when operating equipment. Report all problems with equipment to supervisor and maintenance as soon as possible. Report all safety violations. Report all unsafe/hazardous conditions to your supervisor immediately.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment and supplies when handling and disposing of infectious materials and/or hazardous waste or chemicals according to established policies governing the use and disposal of such items.
• Follow established policies governing the use/disposal of personal protective equipment and disposal of infectious waste.
• Coordinate routine/terminal isolation procedures with nursing service.
• Use only the equipment you have been trained to use that is necessary to do your job. Inform your supervisor of any special needs. Use supplies in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
• Follow established regulations governing the use of labels and MSDSs for hazardous chemicals within the department. Report missing or improperly labeled containers of hazardous chemicals to your supervisor.
• Follow established ergonomics policies and procedures governing lifting techniques, repetitive tasks, and the use of safety equipment and supplies to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses. Assist or request assistance in lifting heavy equipment, supplies, etc.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident and facility information.
• Perform services in a manner which is respectful of residents rights and dignity. Knock before entering a residents room. Inform resident when it is necessary to move his/her personal possessions during cleaning procedures.
• Review Corporate Compliance educational materials, comply with Corporate Compliance directives, and report any Corporate Compliance issues according to established procedures.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Accountability: Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her own actions.
• Active Listening: Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.
• Adaptability/Resilience: Ability to adapt to change in the workplace and to overcome or adjust to setbacks.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.
• Applied Learning: Ability to participate in needed learning activities in a way that makes the most of the learning experience.
• Assertiveness: Ability to act in a self-confident manner to facilitate completion of a work assignment or to defend a position or idea.
• Communication, Oral: Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written: Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Conflict Resolution: Ability to deal with others in an antagonistic situation.
• Creative/Innovative: Ability to think in such a way as to produce a new concept or idea and to look beyond standard solutions.
• Decision Making: Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures.
• Detail-Oriented: Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Empathetic/Tactful: Ability to appreciate and be sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Energetic/Enthusiastic: Ability to bring energy to the performance of a task and to work at a sustained pace and produce quality work.
• Ethical: Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.
• Honesty/Integrity: Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Initiative: Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Interpersonal: Ability to be cheerful and get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals, working successfully with a people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or job type without making judgments.
• Judgment: The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.
• Loyal: The trait of feeling a duty to the employer.
• Organized: Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Patient: Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous.
• Persistent: Ability to complete tasks or continue in a course of action in spite of opposition or discouragement.
• Problem Solving: Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.
• Reliability: The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Resource Management: Ability to obtain and appropriate the proper usage of equipment, facilities, materials, as well as personnel.
• Responsible: Ability to be held accountable or answerable for ones conduct.
• Safety Awareness: Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee/resident safety.
• Self-Motivated/Autonomous: Ability to take initiative to perform a task to the best of ones ability with minimal supervision.
• Systems Analysis: Ability to determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect the outcomes.
• Time Management: Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
• Working Under Pressure: Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: High school graduate or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)

Experience: Six months to one-year related experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Not Applicable: Activity is not applicable to this occupation

Occasionally: Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0-2.5+ hrs/day)

Frequently: Occupation requires this activity from 33%-66% of the time (2.5 5.5+ hrs/day)

Constantly: Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Other Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend 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 meet the general health requirements set forth by policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
• Must be willing to work harmoniously with other personnel as well as be able to handle residents based on whatever maturity/cognitive level at which they are currently functioning.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Works in all areas throughout the facility.
• Moves frequently during work hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions and may need to reschedule cleaning activities.
• Is involved with residents, family members, personnel, visitors, volunteers, etc., under all circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, visitors, etc.
• Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed.
• May be required to work on shifts other than the one for which hired.
• Communicates with housekeeping personnel and personnel from other departments.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, 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.