Job Summary
The Housekeeping Aide is responsible for maintaining a clean, sanitary, and safe hospital environment. This role supports patient safety, quality of care, and regulatory compliance by performing routine and specialized cleaning and disinfection of patient care areas, clinical departments, and public spaces. The Housekeeping Aide contributes to infection control efforts and the overall environment of care to ensure a safe and therapeutic setting for patients, visitors, and staff.
Essential Job Functions
Job functions are those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the job’s purpose and objectives. Job functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable.
- Perform routine and terminal cleaning of patient rooms, treatment areas, surgical and procedural spaces, offices, and public areas in accordance with hospital policies and infection prevention standards.
- Clean, disinfect, and sanitize surfaces and equipment using approved cleaning agents and methods to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
- Fill linen carts appropriately, distributes clean linen and transports linen carts as scheduled and safely.
- Discharge terminal cleaning.
- Follow established isolation and transmission-based precaution protocols when cleaning patient care areas.
- Properly handle, store, and dispose of regulated medical waste, linens, and sharps containers.
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately and adhere to all safety, infection control, and hazardous material handling procedures.
- Report unsafe conditions, equipment malfunctions, environmental hazards, or maintenance needs to appropriate departments in a timely manner.
- Maintain assigned cleaning equipment and supplies in a clean, safe, and functional condition,
- Ensure hallways, exits, and patient care areas remain clean, orderly, and free of obstruction.
- Comply with hospital policies related to confidentiality, HIPPA, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness.
- Interact professionally with patients, visitors, and staff, demonstrating respect, courtesy, and sensitivity to patient needs.
- Participate in required training, competency assessments, and performance improvement activities as directed.
- Work schedules will be determined based on department/MMHC needs.
Note: This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires High School diploma or GED
- One to three months experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
- Familiarity with infection prevention and control practices, including isolation precautions and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Knowledge of hospital safety standards, Environment of Care principles, and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Skilled at incorporating AIDET into professional practice.
- Aseptic technique
- Knowledge of role in patient confidentiality and protecting patient information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure as defined by HIPAA.
- Ability to respond quickly and decisively to emergency situations while participating in shelter-in-place and disaster response protocols.
- Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams, communicating effectively with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
- Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for providing population specific care/assistance.
- Ability to lift, move, position and operate equipment, e.g. buffers, floor scrubber, mops, brooms and vacuums.
- Manual dexterity, bending, stooping, standing, walking, ladder climbing.
- Able to tolerate a variety of chemicals
- Able to complete tasks in a timely manner, with frequent interruptions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous environmental services or housekeeping experience in a hospital or long-term care facility, or other healthcare setting.
- Experience using hospital-grade cleaning equipment and approved disinfectants.
- Understanding proper handling and disposal of regulated medical waste and linens.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively in a patient care environment.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a clean and safe healthcare environment.
Computer Skills
Skilled in data entry with great accuracy. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), Paycom and other information systems specific to position. Ability to thoroughly document clinical services, maintain accurate patient records, and effectively utilize electronic health record (EHR) systems, i.e. Epic.
Reasoning & Critical Thinking
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in a variety of formats. Apply logical problem-solving and decision-making skills in routine and occasionally complex situations.
Language & Communication Skills
Ability to read, interpret, and act upon a variety of documents and information needed to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Able to communicate routine and occasionally complex ideas clearly in both written and verbal formats, adapting tone, style and messaging for a variety of audiences.
Mathematics & Analytical Abilities
Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculations (addition/subtraction/multiplication/division) in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent. Record and interpret clinical measurements. Accurately calculate patient data. Use EMR system and care documentation tools to support treatment.
Standards of Employment
- Understand and adhere to MMHC’s compliance standards as outlined in MMHC’s Compliance Program.
- Attend all mandatory education programs and demonstrate proficiency related to general safety and regulatory compliance.
- Attend all department-specific training, and demonstrate proficiency related to safety and job-related hazards.
- Understand and follow MMHC procedures for exposure control / blood borne and airborne pathogens.
- Comply with all relevant MMHC policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory standards and requirements.
- Attire is neat, clean, and appropriate for the work environment and according to MMHC policy.
- Wear proper identification while on duty.
- Maintain confidentiality of all MMHC and patient information at all times.
- Report to work on time and maintain defined standards for attendance.
- Attend mandatory meetings.
- Able to perform essential job duties that meet job performance expectations and organizational standards while upholding MMHC mission and values.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move (push/pull) up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Lifting/and or moving of more than 35 pounds shall require the use of an assistive device or team member assist. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Ability to meet physical demands of rural hospital/clinic work, including during emergency situations and/or disaster protocols.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; needles or sharps; the challenges of variable hours, shifting resources, and work situations inherent in CAH/rural settings; Hazards and/or Biohazard Medications; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electric shock and radiation; bloodborne pathogens and exposed to latex. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
