Housekeeper

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job 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 governing our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator, and/or the Director of Housekeeping, to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable manner.

Delegation of Authority

As the Housekeeper, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to keep 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

• Assure that work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.
• Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor no matter how minor they may be. (NOTE: Such occurrences must be reported on the shift in which they occur.)
• Coordinate daily housekeeping services with nursing services when performing routine cleaning assignments in resident living and/or recreational areas.

Committee Functions

• Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility as required, and as appointed by the Administrator.

Personnel Functions

• Attend departmental and staff meetings as directed or called.
• Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.
• File complaints/grievances with your supervisor.

Staff Development

• Participate and assist in department studies and projects as directed.
• Attend and participate in inservice educational classes, on-the-job training programs, etc., as scheduled or as directed.

Safety and Sanitation

• Assure that assigned work areas are maintained in a clean, safe, comfortable, and attractive manner.
• Assure that established infection control and universal precautions practices are maintained when performing housekeeping procedures.
• Coordinate routine/terminal isolation procedures with nursing service.
• Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.
• Follow established fire safety policies and procedures.
• Dispose of refuse daily in accordance with our established sanitation procedures.
• Keep work/assignment areas free of hazardous objects such as protruding mop/broom handles, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.
• 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

• Follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and when using equipment and supplies.
• Assure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift.
• 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.
• Assure that an adequate supply of housekeeping supplies to perform daily tasks are maintained in utility/janitorial closets.
• Clean work/supply carts, equipment, etc., as necessary or directed.

Housekeeping Services

• Perform day-to-day housekeeping functions as assigned.
• Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.
• Empty and sanitize ash trays daily. (NOTE: Ash trays must be emptied into appropriate metal containers with self-closing cover devices.)
• Clean/polish furnishings, fixtures, ledges, room heating/cooling units, etc., in resident rooms, recreational areas, etc., daily as instructed.
• Clean, wash, sanitize, and/or polish bathroom fixtures. Assure 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. (NOTE: Assure 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 reline trash receptacle with plastic liner.
• Clean vacant rooms as assigned.
• Assure 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 terminal cleaning procedures, as instructed, when a resident is discharged and/or transferred to another room/area.
• Discard infectious wastes into appropriate containers

Resident Rights

• Maintain the confidentiality of resident information. Honor the residents’ personal and property rights.

Miscellaneous

• Turn in all found articles to your supervisor. Follow established procedures governing the use and disposal of personal protective equipment

Working Conditions

• Works in all areas of the facility. 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 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 reactions from dust, disinfectants, etc.
• May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to the AIDS and Hepitas B.
• May be required to work on weekends and holidays.
• May be required to work on shifts other than the one for which hired.

Education

• Must possess, as a minimum, a high school diploma or its equivalent as to a GED.

Experience

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

Specific Requirements

• You will need two forms of I.D. and proof of Tribal Enrollment (if claiming Indian preferences).
• 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 sixteen (16) years of age.
• Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of housekeeping areas, must perform regular inspections of resident rooms/units for sanitation, order, safety and proper performance of assigned duties.
• Must be willing to work harmoniously with other personnel 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 practices.
• Must be able to follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixture of cleaning compounds, liquids, cleaning instructions, etc.
• 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.