Primary Purpose of this Position
The primary purpose of this position is to assist in supervising the day-to-day activities of the housekeeping department as directed by the Director of Environmental Services to assure that facility is maintained in a clean, safe and comfortable
manner.
Duties and Responsibilities
Administrative Functions
- Ensure that the resident environment is safe, clean, comfortable and home-like.
- Oversee the housekeeping services necessary to maintain a sanitary, orderly and comfortable interior.
- Conduct routine housekeeping rounds.
- Coordinate submission of work orders for housekeeping equipment requiring service or repair; ensure repairs follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Maintain required records of work hours in collaboration with the human resources department.
- Coordinate housekeeping services with other departments to ensure that services are provided in an efficient and timely manner.
- Collaborate with the Administrator in the development of an approved department budget.
- Evaluate workflow practices to identify opportunities for increased efficiency and cost reduction.
- Contribute to the annual facility assessment by identifying tools, training or resources needed to conduct housekeeping services.
- Establish and implement operational policies and procedures for the department that meet current regulatory standards and best practices.
- Collaborate with the Infection Preventionist, vendors, consultants and maintenance in the selection of cleaning materials for linens, furniture, flooring and surfaces.
- Ensure that team members are trained and competent in the use of any equipment or chemicals; maintain current safety data sheets (SDSs) for all products and chemicals used in the department.
- Assume the administrative authority, responsibility and accountability of supervising the housekeeping department.
Committee Functions
Participate in the facility Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee; conduct audits, training and implement performance improvement plans as appropriate.
Duties and Responsibilities
Represent the housekeeping department and team members in the facility’s committees including the risk management, safety and infection prevention.
- Personnel Functions
Assign personnel to specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments; verify quality of work.
- Conduct performance appraisals for team members providing accurate assessment of job performance and opportunities for improvement; develop performance improvement plans as appropriate.
- Assist in the onboarding process for new housekeepers, assign preceptor or mentor to assist with the orientation and training of housekeeping department personnel.
- Conduct progressive discipline as appropriate for violations of facility policies, resident rights or for other serious infractions which merit discipline.
- Interpret department policies and procedures to housekeeping team members as appropriate including training of staff or new housekeeping personnel on facility policy revisions.
- Review complaints/grievances of department personnel and provide recommendations and reports to the Director of Human Resources.
Staff Development Functions
Attend and participate in annual facility in-service training programs as scheduled; document training and competencies per facility policies.
Safety and Sanitation Functions
- Ensure housekeeping personnel use proper techniques for mixing chemicals.
Ensure that all housekeeping personnel follow established facility policies governing the use of labels and SDSs.
- Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving heavy objects; ensure access to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (i.e., goggles, etc.).
- Ensure that appropriate SDSs for chemicals being used by housekeeping personnel are on file and easily accessible; conduct random audits of SDSs to verify adherence to facility policies.
- Ensure that team members are trained and adhere to Life Safety Code, infection prevention and control and emergency preparedness and response programs as required by facility policies or regulation; document training as appropriate.
- Ensure that housekeeping personnel follow established facility policies governing the use/disposal of PPE and disposal of infectious wastes; collaborate with the Infection Preventionist.
- Ensure that housekeeping personnel follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and when using equipment and supplies.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to the Administrator.
- Report occupational exposure incidents to the Administrator and assist team members with the competition of incident or accident forms as required; track Occupational Safety and Health
- Administration (OSHA) reportable events on OSHA form 300.
Equipment and Supply Functions
- Ensure that an adequate supply of housekeeping supplies is maintained.
- Ensure that appropriate PPE is available and easily accessible to housekeeping personnel.
- Ensure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift; keep all chemicals secure to prevent residents from accidentally accessing chemicals (i.e., dementia residents, etc.).
Resident Rights Functions
Ensure that the residents’ personal and property rights are maintained by assigned personnel.
Working Conditions
- Works throughout the housekeeping services areas (i.e., resident rooms, therapy rooms, dietary, etc.).
- 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, personnel and visitors.
- Communicates with housekeeping personnel and other department personnel.
- Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary as well as in other positions as needed.
- Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
- May be required to perform daily housekeeping tasks.
- Attends and participates in continuing education programs.
- Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday as well as to 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 and Hepatitis B viruses.
- May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- Maintains a liaison with other department supervisors to adequately plan for housekeeping services/activities.
Education
- Must possess, as a minimum, a high school education or its equivalent.
Experience
- Must be familiar with care of various types of floors, with cleaning materials, etc., and with cleaning and general housekeeping methods and equipment.
Specific Requirements
- Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
- Must possess the ability to make independent decisions, follow instructions and 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 knowledgeable of housekeeping practices and procedures in the nursing care facility.
- Must possess leadership ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
- Must have the ability to plan organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the housekeeping department.
- 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 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 practices.
- 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 the aid of mechanical devices)
- Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
- 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 and personnel.
- 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 distance of 50 feet.
- May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
