Housekeeper

Location: Lorain, OH | Department: Housekeeping | FLSA Status: Non-Exempt | Reports To: Dietary Services Manager

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 to ensure the facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable manner.

Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• 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 in resident living and/or recreational areas.

Personnel Functions

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

Staff Development

• Participate in department studies and projects as directed.
• Attend in-service educational classes, on-the-job training programs, and annual OSHA/CDC training for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens.

Safety and Sanitation

• Follow established fire safety policies and procedures.
• Adhere to safety precautions when performing tasks and using equipment/supplies.
• Wear/use safety equipment (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts) when lifting or moving heavy objects.
• Maintain assigned work areas in a clean, safe, and attractive manner.
• Keep work areas free of hazardous objects (e.g., protruding mop/broom handles).
• Follow proper techniques for mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions; refer to manufacturer instructions.
• Adhere to policies governing labels and MSDSs.
• Report hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.
• Maintain infection control and universal precautions during housekeeping procedures.
• Complete in-service training for tasks involving potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals.
• Report missing or improperly labeled containers of hazardous chemicals.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment when handling infectious materials or hazardous wastes/chemicals.
• Follow handwashing procedures and dispose of refuse daily per sanitation policies.
• Adhere to policies for disposal of personal protective equipment and infectious wastes.
• Coordinate routine/terminal isolation procedures with nursing service.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Maintain an adequate supply of housekeeping supplies in utility/janitorial closets.
• Inform supervisor of supply needs.
• Report burned-out lights (e.g., exit lights, room call lights) to your supervisor.
• Assist others in lifting heavy equipment/supplies as directed.
• Clean work/supply carts and equipment as necessary.
• Ensure equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift.

Housekeeping Services

• Perform day-to-day housekeeping functions as assigned.
• Empty and sanitize ashtrays daily.
• Clean/polish furnishings, fixtures, ledges, and room heating/cooling units in resident rooms and recreational areas.
• Clean, wash, sanitize, and/or polish bathroom fixtures; remove water marks.
• Clean windows/mirrors in resident rooms, recreational areas, bathrooms, and entrance/exit ways.
• Clean floors (sweeping, dusting, mopping, stripping, waxing, buffing, disinfecting); set up caution/safety signs.
• Vacuum carpets.
• Clean walls and ceilings (washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing).
• Remove dirt, dust, grease, or film from surfaces using proper cleaning/disinfecting solutions.
• Clean hallways, stairways, and elevators.
• Discard waste/trash into proper containers and reline trash receptacles with plastic liners.
• Clean vacant rooms as assigned.
• Ensure work areas are clean and equipment/tools/supplies are properly stored at all times.
• Perform isolation cleaning procedures per infection control protocols.
• Discard infectious wastes into appropriate containers.

Resident Rights

• Maintain confidentiality of resident information.
• Knock before entering a resident’s room.
• Honor residents’ personal and property rights.
• Inform residents when moving their personal possessions during cleaning.

Miscellaneous

• Turn in all found articles to your supervisor.

Working Conditions

• Works in all areas of the facility.
• Moves intermittently during working hours; subject to frequent interruptions and rescheduling of tasks.
• Interacts with residents, personnel, visitors, and government agencies under all conditions.
• May be exposed to hostile or emotionally upset residents, family members, or visitors.
• Works beyond normal hours, weekends, and holidays as needed; may be required to work shifts other than the one hired for.
• Subject to call-back during emergencies (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster).
• Attends continuing educational programs.
• Exposed to potential injuries (falls, burns, odors, reactions to dust/disinfectants/tobacco smoke/air contaminants).
• Exposed to infectious waste, diseases (e.g., TB, AIDS, Hepatitis B), and hazardous chemicals.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Minimum 8th-grade education.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or possess an executed work permit.
• No prior experience required; on-the-job training provided.

Specific Requirements

• Must understand and communicate in English.
• Able to make independent decisions, follow instructions, and accept constructive criticism.
• Must deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and government agencies.
• Maintain care/use of supplies and equipment; perform regular inspections of resident rooms for sanitation, order, and safety.
• Willing to work harmoniously with other personnel and handle residents at varying maturity levels.
• Able to seek out new methods/principles and incorporate them into housekeeping practices.
• Follow written/oral instructions for mixing cleaning compounds, liquids, and disinfecting solutions.
• Relate information concerning a resident’s condition when necessary.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health/safety of others in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Must move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must speak and write English in an understandable manner.
• Must cope with mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must possess adequate sight/hearing (with or without prosthetics) to meet position requirements.
• Must function independently, with flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents and personnel.
• Must meet general health requirements set by facility policies (includes medical/physical examination).
• Must relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, or hostile individuals.
• Must push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
• May assist in evacuating residents during emergencies.