Job Summary
The Environmental Services Specialist in our Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) maintains a
clean, safe, and sanitary environment for residents, staff, and visitors. The
Environmental Services Specialist is crucial in supporting infection control measures,
ensuring the cleanliness of resident rooms and common areas, and contributing to
residents' overall well-being and comfort.
Key Responsibilities
1. Cleaning and Sanitization: Perform routine cleaning tasks in resident rooms,
common areas, and other facility spaces. This includes dusting, mopping,
vacuuming, sweeping, and disinfecting surfaces to maintain cleanliness and
prevent the spread of infections.
2. Room Set-up: Prepare resident rooms for new admissions or transfers,
ensuring they are clean, properly stocked, and ready for occupancy. Arrange
furniture, make beds, and organize personal belongings per facility protocols.
3. Waste Management: Following proper infection control procedures, collect
and dispose of trash and waste materials. Maintain cleanliness of trash
receptacles and ensure they are emptied regularly.
4. Laundry Services: Collect, sort, and wash residents' clothing, linens, and towels
according to established procedures. Ensure proper handling, storage, and
distribution of clean laundry.
5. Infection Control: Follow infection control protocols and standards, including
using personal protective equipment (PPE) and following established cleaning
and disinfection procedures. Pay special attention to high-touch surfaces and
areas prone to contamination.
6. Supply Management: Monitor and restock housekeeping supplies, including
cleaning agents, paper products, and other necessary items. Notify
appropriate personnel when supplies are running low or need to be
replenished.
7. Reporting and Documentation: Maintain accurate records and documentation
of daily cleaning tasks, laundry services, and supply usage. Report any
maintenance or repair needs to the appropriate department. 8. Safety and Security: Follow established safety protocols to ensure a safe
working environment. Report any safety hazards, incidents, or security
concerns to the supervisor or designated personnel.
9. Collaboration and Communication: Communicate effectively with residents,
families, and staff to address housekeeping-related concerns or requests.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure a clean and comfortable
environment for residents.
10. Continuous Improvement: Seek opportunities for process improvement and
efficiency in housekeeping tasks. Stay updated on best practices and new
developments in housekeeping techniques and products.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a Housekeeper
position.
- Previous experience in housekeeping or janitorial services is preferred,
particularly in a healthcare or long-term care setting.
- Knowledge of infection control practices and cleaning protocols in a
healthcare environment.
- Familiarity with safely handling and using cleaning agents, disinfectants, and
equipment.
- Ability to follow instructions and work independently with minimal supervision.
- Attention to detail and thoroughness in performing cleaning tasks.
- Physical stamina and the ability to perform tasks that may involve lifting,
bending, and standing for extended periods.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills to prioritize tasks and
meet deadlines.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with residents,
families, and staff members.
- Respect for privacy and confidentiality of residents' personal information.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, per the
facility's needs.
Working Conditions
- Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., drug
rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms, etc.).
- Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions. • Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate.
- Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
- Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout
the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and
other air contaminants.
- Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including
TB and the AIDS, COVID-19, and Hepatitis B viruses.
- May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc.,
to adequately plan for the residents’ needs.
Education
Must possess and maintain any and all necessary active and unencumbered
certifications, degrees, or licenses in the necessary state, to the extent the position
requires such certifications, degrees, or licenses.
Specific Requirements
- Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care
appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
- Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of
teamwork and team concept.
- Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances
warrant such action.
- Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family
members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
- Must be able 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.
Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation)
(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
- Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
- Must be able to read, speak, and understandably write the English language.
- Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
- Must function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the
ability to work effectively with 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 if the position
requires.
- Must be able to relate to and work with the 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 50 pounds to a
minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such
weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
- May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergencies.
Job Summary
The Environmental Services Specialist in our Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) maintains a
clean, safe, and sanitary environment for residents, staff, and visitors. The
Environmental Services Specialist is crucial in supporting infection control measures,
ensuring the cleanliness of resident rooms and common areas, and contributing to
residents' overall well-being and comfort.
Key Responsibilities
1. Cleaning and Sanitization: Perform routine cleaning tasks in resident rooms,
common areas, and other facility spaces. This includes dusting, mopping,
vacuuming, sweeping, and disinfecting surfaces to maintain cleanliness and
prevent the spread of infections.
2. Room Set-up: Prepare resident rooms for new admissions or transfers,
ensuring they are clean, properly stocked, and ready for occupancy. Arrange
furniture, make beds, and organize personal belongings per facility protocols.
3. Waste Management: Following proper infection control procedures, collect
and dispose of trash and waste materials. Maintain cleanliness of trash
receptacles and ensure they are emptied regularly.
4. Laundry Services: Collect, sort, and wash residents' clothing, linens, and towels
according to established procedures. Ensure proper handling, storage, and
distribution of clean laundry.
5. Infection Control: Follow infection control protocols and standards, including
using personal protective equipment (PPE) and following established cleaning
and disinfection procedures. Pay special attention to high-touch surfaces and
areas prone to contamination.
6. Supply Management: Monitor and restock housekeeping supplies, including
cleaning agents, paper products, and other necessary items. Notify
appropriate personnel when supplies are running low or need to be
replenished.
7. Reporting and Documentation: Maintain accurate records and documentation
of daily cleaning tasks, laundry services, and supply usage. Report any
maintenance or repair needs to the appropriate department. 8. Safety and Security: Follow established safety protocols to ensure a safe
working environment. Report any safety hazards, incidents, or security
concerns to the supervisor or designated personnel.
9. Collaboration and Communication: Communicate effectively with residents,
families, and staff to address housekeeping-related concerns or requests.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure a clean and comfortable
environment for residents.
10. Continuous Improvement: Seek opportunities for process improvement and
efficiency in housekeeping tasks. Stay updated on best practices and new
developments in housekeeping techniques and products.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a Housekeeper
position.
- Previous experience in housekeeping or janitorial services is preferred,
particularly in a healthcare or long-term care setting.
- Knowledge of infection control practices and cleaning protocols in a
healthcare environment.
- Familiarity with safely handling and using cleaning agents, disinfectants, and
equipment.
- Ability to follow instructions and work independently with minimal supervision.
- Attention to detail and thoroughness in performing cleaning tasks.
- Physical stamina and the ability to perform tasks that may involve lifting,
bending, and standing for extended periods.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills to prioritize tasks and
meet deadlines.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with residents,
families, and staff members.
- Respect for privacy and confidentiality of residents' personal information.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, per the
facility's needs.
Working Conditions
- Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., drug
rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms, etc.).
- Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions. • Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate.
- Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
- Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout
the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and
other air contaminants.
- Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including
TB and the AIDS, COVID-19, and Hepatitis B viruses.
- May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc.,
to adequately plan for the residents’ needs.
Education
Must possess and maintain any and all necessary active and unencumbered
certifications, degrees, or licenses in the necessary state, to the extent the position
requires such certifications, degrees, or licenses.
Specific Requirements
- Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care
appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
- Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of
teamwork and team concept.
- Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances
warrant such action.
- Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family
members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
- Must be able 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.
Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation)
(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
- Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
- Must be able to read, speak, and understandably write the English language.
- Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
- Must function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the
ability to work effectively with 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 if the position
requires.
- Must be able to relate to and work with the 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 50 pounds to a
minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such
weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
- May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergencies.
