Director of Maintenance

About the role

The Director of Maintenance oversees the Maintenance Department, ensuring the facility is maintained safely and comfortably according to federal, state, and local standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the Maintenance Department.
• Assume administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability for the Maintenance Department.
• Cook up and coordinate maintenance services and activities with other related departments.
• Make written or oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator as necessary/required concerning the operation of the Maintenance Department.
• Establish a preventive maintenance program.
• Repair facility/resident property as necessary.
• In the event of inability to repair, coordinate with outside vendors to make repairs or replacements as cost-effectively as possible.
• Ensure that services provided by outside vendors are properly completed/supervised in accordance with contracts/work orders.
• Identify, evaluate, and classify routine and job-related maintenance functions to ensure that tasks involving the potential exposure to bloody/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.
• Inspect storage rooms, workrooms, utility/janitorial closets, etc., for upkeep and supply control.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be directed.
• Review & develop a plan of correction for maintenance deficiencies noted during survey inspections and provide written copies of such to the Administrator.
• Stay informed about economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in maintenance 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., to assure control of equipment and supplies.
• Delegate a responsible staff member to act in your behalf when you are absent from the facility.
• Agree not to disclose resident’s protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.
• Serve on various committees of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Safety, QA, etc.) and provide written/oral reports of maintenance services and activities as required by the committee’s guidelines or direction.
• Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called.
• Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, scheduling, etc., of in-service training classes, on-the-job training classes, on-the-job training and orientation programs for all staff.
• Supervise safety and fire protection and prevention programs by inspecting work areas and equipment at least weekly.
• Ensure that maintenance personnel follow established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies at all times.
• Ensure that all personal wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g. back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving heavy objects.
• Ensure that supplies, equipment, etc., are maintained to provide a safe and comfortable environment.
• Promptly report equipment or facility damage to the Administrator.
• Absorb and maintain confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information.
• Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.
• Make periodic rounds to check equipment and to assure that necessary equipment is available and working properly.
• Monitor maintenance 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 maintenance personnel.
• Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or as may be required.
• Ensure that equipment contaminated with blood or other infectious material is properly labeled or tagged before being set for repair or decontamination.
• Forecast needs for the department and make departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and/or as dictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statement.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information.
• Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor, no matter how minor they may be.
• Clean, wash, sanitize, and/or polish fixtures, ledges, room heating/cooling units, bathroom fixtures, etc.
• Clean floors to include sweeping, dusting, damp/wet mopping, stripping, waxing, buffing, disinfecting etc.
• Discard waste/trash into proper containers and reline trash receptacle with plastic liner.
• Follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and when using equipment and supplies.
• Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions used for cleaning.
• Refer to manufacturer’s instructions when necessary.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment and supplies when handling infectious materials and/or hazardous wastes or chemicals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in a supervisory capacity, in a maintenance/environmental services related position.
• Experience with long-term care facilities is preferred.
• Knowledgeable of boilers, compressors, generators, etc., as well as various mechanical, electrical & plumbing systems.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixing of cleaning compounds, liquids, disinfecting solutions, etc.
• Knowledgeable in building codes and safety regulations.
• Licensed in accordance with current applicable standards, codes, labor laws, etc.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Able to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Knowledgeable of maintenance practices and procedures, as well as the laws, regulations and guidelines governing maintenance functions in nursing care facilities.
• Able to maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of maintenance areas; perform regular inspections of resident rooms/units for order, safety, and proper performance of equipment.
• Patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, as well as willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.
• Able to plan and carry out programs in repair, new construction, and equipment installation.
• Able to relate information concerning a facility's condition.
• 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.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the 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 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.