Housekeeper

About the Role

The primary purpose of this 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. The goal is to ensure the facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.
• Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor immediately.
• Coordinate daily housekeeping services with nursing services when performing routine cleaning assignments in resident living and/or recreational areas.
• Attend departmental and staff meetings as directed.
• Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.
• File complaints/grievances with your supervisor.
• Participate and assist in department studies and projects as directed.
• Attend and participate in in-service educational classes and on-the-job training programs.
• Attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens standard.
• 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) 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.
• Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions used for cleaning.
• 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.
• Participate in appropriate in-service training 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 supervisor.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling infectious materials and/or hazardous wastes or chemicals.
• Follow established handwashing procedures.
• Dispose of refuse daily in accordance with established sanitation procedures.
• Follow established policies governing the use/disposal of PPE and disposal of infectious wastes.
• Coordinate routine/terminal isolation procedures with nursing service.
• Perform day-to-day housekeeping functions as assigned.
• Empty and sanitize ash trays daily.
• Clean/polish furnishings, fixtures, ledges, room heating/cooling units, etc., in resident rooms, recreational areas, etc., daily.
• Clean, wash, sanitize, and/or polish bathroom fixtures. Ensure that water marks are removed from fixtures.
• Clean windows/mirrors in resident rooms, recreational areas, bathrooms, and entrance/exit ways.
• Clean floors, to include sweeping, dusting, damp/wet mopping, stripping, waxing, buffing, disinfecting, etc.
• Clean carpets, to include vacuuming.
• 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 reline trash receptacle with plastic liner.
• Clean vacant rooms as assigned.
• Ensure that work/assignment areas are clean and that equipment, tools, supplies, etc., are properly stored at all times, as well as before leaving such areas for breaks, meal times, and end of the work day.
• Perform isolation cleaning procedures in accordance with established infection control procedures.
• Discard infectious wastes into appropriate containers.
• Maintain the confidentiality of resident information.
• Knock before entering a resident's room.
• Honor the residents' personal and property rights.
• Inform resident when it is necessary to move his/her personal possessions during cleaning procedures.
• 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 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.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• 8th grade education minimum.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or possess an executed work permit.
• Ability to understand the English language.
• Ability to make independent decisions, follow instructions, and accept constructive criticism.
• Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Ability to maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of housekeeping areas.
• Ability to perform regular inspections of resident rooms/units for sanitation, order, safety, and proper performance of assigned duties.
• Willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel and handle residents based on their current maturity level.
• Ability to seek out new methods and principles and incorporate them into existing housekeeping practices.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixing of cleaning compounds, liquids, and disinfecting solutions.
• 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.
• Ability to move intermittently throughout the work day.
• Ability to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Ability 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.
• Ability to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents and personnel.
• Ability to meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Ability to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Ability to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of twenty-five pounds.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Qualifications

• None required. On-the-job training provided.