Purpose of Your Job Position
The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in supervising the day-to-day activities of the Housekeeping and Laundry Departments in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations governing our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator of Housekeeping, to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe, sanitary and comfortable manner, and that an adequate supply of laundry/linen is on hand at all times to meet the needs of the residents.
Delegation of Authority
As the Housekeeping/Laundry Supervisor you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to carry out your assigned duties.
Job Functions
Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. 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 a logical assignment to the position.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Administrative Functions
- Supervise the day-to-day Housekeeping & Laundry functions of assigned personnel.
- Assist the Administrator in setting Housekeeping & Laundry standards.
- Assist the Administrator in standardizing the methods in which work is accomplished.
- Assist in developing procedures for performing daily housekeeping & laundry tasks.
- Coordinate daily housekeeping and laundry services with nursing service when performing routine cleaning and laundry assignments in resident living and/or recreational areas.
- Scheduling work assignments, preparing cleaning schedules, etc. Revise as necessary.
- Assure that work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.
- Perform administrative requirements (i.e., completing necessary forms, reports, etc.,) and submit to the
Administrator as necessary.
- Submit accident/incident reports to the Administrator on the shift in which they occurred.
- Assume the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the Housekeeping & Laundry Department.
Committee Functions
- Implement recommendations from the Infection Control and Safety Committees as directed/necessary.
- Attend department and staff meetings as directed or called.
Personnel Functions
- Interview, review previous employment, and hire new employees for Housekeeping & Laundry with approval of the Administrator.
- Assist new employees in the completion of all necessary employment paper-work.
- Orient and train housekeeping and laundry department personnel.
- Assign personnel to specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.
- Assure that personnel are performing assigned tasks in accordance with established housekeeping &
laundry procedures.
- Interpret department policies and procedures to new housekeeping and laundry personnel.
- Train assigned personnel in the proper techniques of mixing chemicals, cleaning disinfectants, solutions, cleaning methods, use of equipment, etc., as directed.
- Review job description and duty assignment with new department personnel as directed/necessary.
- Review complaints/grievances of department personnel and make oral/written recommendations and reports to the Administrator.
- Counsel/discipline assigned personnel as requested or as necessary. Report such actions to the
Administrator.
- Report absenteeism and tardiness daily to the Administrator.
- Meet with assigned personnel monthly to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or improvement of services.
- Review and evaluate the work performance of assigned personnel. Make recommendations to the
Administrator.
Staff Development
- Participate and assist in department studies and projects as directed.
- Provide leadership, follow instructions, and take suggestions (constructive criticism).
Safety and Sanitation
- Assure that assigned work areas are maintained in a clean, safe, comfortable, and attractive manner.
- Assure that housekeeping and laundry personnel follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and when using equipment and supplies.
- Assure that established infection control and universal precautions practices are maintained when performing housekeeping and laundry procedures.
- Coordinate routine/terminal isolation procedures with nursing service.
- Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to the Administrator.
- Assure that fire protection and prevention programs are maintained by department personnel in accordance with our fire safety policies and procedures.
- Conduct daily inspections of assigned work areas to assure that cleanliness and sanitary conditions are maintained.
- Assure that refuse is disposed of daily and in accordance with our established sanitation procedures.
- Other(s) that may become necessary/appropriate to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable manner.
Equipment and Supply Functions
- Assure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift.
- Recommend equipment and supply needs to the Administrator.
- Assure that an adequate supply of housekeeping and laundry supplies is maintained in utility/janitorial closets to perform daily tasks.
- Assure that an adequate supply of clean lined is maintained in linen closets.
Resident Rights
- Maintain confidentiality of resident information.
- Assure that the residents’ personal and property rights are maintained by assigned personnel.
Miscellaneous
- Assist in demonstrating new products, cleaning techniques, etc., as directed.
- Assure that department employees follow established policies governing the use and disposal of personal protective equipment.
Working Conditions
- Works throughout the housekeeping and laundry service areas (i.e., resident rooms, laundry room, therapy rooms, dietary, etc.)
- Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.
- Is subject to frequent interruptions and may need to reschedule cleaning activities.
- Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
- Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.
- Communicates with housekeeping and laundry personnel and other department personnel.
- Works beyond normal working hours and in other positions temporarily when necessary.
- Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
- Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, etc.
- May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to the AIDS and
Hepatitis B viruses.
- Maintains a liaison with other department supervisors to adequately plan for housekeeping and laundry services/activities.
- May be required to work on weekends and holidays.
- May be required to work on shifts other than the one for which hired.
- May be required to perform daily housekeeping and laundry tasks.
- Works in all areas of the facility.
Education
- Must possess, as a minimum, a 10th grade education.
Experience
- Must have, as a minimum, one (1) year experience in a housekeeping or laundry position in a nursing home or other related medical facility.
- Must be familiar with care of various types of floors, with cleaning materials, etc., and with cleaning and general housekeeping methods and equipment.
- Must be familiar with the operation of various types of laundry equipment, practices and procedures.
Specific Requirements
- Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
- Must possess the ability to make independent decisions, to follow instructions, and to accept constructive criticism.
- Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
- Must be a minimum of twenty (20) years of age.
- Must be knowledgeable of housekeeping practices and procedures in the long-term care facility.
- Must possess leadership ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and to supervise non- professional personnel.
- Must have the ability to plan organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the Housekeeping and Laundry Departments.
- Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of housekeeping and laundry areas.
- Must perform regular inspections of resident rooms/units for sanitation, order, safety and proper performance of assigned duties.
- Must perform regular inspections of laundry rooms, linen closets, etc., for sanitation, order, and safety.
- Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.
- Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing housekeeping and laundry practices.
- Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
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 this position can be fully met.
- Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel.
- Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
- 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 lift, push, pull, and move equipment, supplies, etc., in excess of fifty (50) pounds.
- Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.