Administrative Functions
Ensure that work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.
Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor no matter how minor they may be. (NOTE: Such occurrences must be reported on the shift in which they occur.)
Coordinate daily laundry services with nursing services when performing routine assignments in resident living areas.
Personnel Functions
Attend departmental and staff meetings as directed or called.
Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.
File complaints/grievances with your supervisor.
Staff Development
Participate and assist in department studies and projects as directed.
Attend and participate in in-service educational classes, on-the-job training programs, etc., as scheduled or as directed.
Attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens standard.
Safety and Sanitation
Follow established fire safety policies and procedures.
Follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and when using equipment and supplies.
Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving heavy objects.
Ensure that assigned work areas are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.
Keep work/assignment areas free of hazardous objects, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.
Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions used in the work area. Refer to material safety data sheets (MSDSs) when necessary.
Follow established policies governing the use of labels and MSDSs.
Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.
Ensure that established infection control and universal precautions practices are maintained when performing laundry procedures.
Participate in an in-service training program prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals.
Use appropriate personal protective equipment and supplies when handling infectious materials.
Discard sharps into designated container.
Follow established hand washing procedures.
Dispose of refuse daily in accordance with our established sanitation procedures.
Follow established policies governing the use/disposal of personal protective equipment and disposal of infectious wastes.
Coordinate isolation procedures with nursing service.
Other(s) that may become necessary/appropriate to assure that our laundry department is maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.
Equipment and Supply Functions
Ensure that an adequate supply of laundry/linen supplies is maintained in laundry/linen closets to meet the daily needs of the residents.
Keep supervisor informed of supply needs.
Keep work area(s) free of hazardous conditions, i.e., spills, excess laundry carts, baskets, supplies, equipment, etc.
Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to the Director of Laundry Services.
Report all equipment malfunctions or breakdowns to your supervisor as soon as practical.
Assist others in lifting heavy equipment, supplies, etc., as directed or requested.
Clean work/supply carts, equipment, etc., as necessary/directed.
Ensure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift.
Laundry Services
Perform day-to-day laundry functions as assigned.
Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.
Perform assigned tasks in accordance with established laundry procedures.
Collect, sort, and weigh soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., and place in appropriate containers or assigned areas.
Sort soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., and separate those items that require special stain removal/treatment.
Sort, count, and wash soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., in accordance with established procedures.
Press/iron garments as instructed.
Fold, count, stack, hang, and distribute clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., to residents daily and/or as instructed.
During emergency conditions, assure that clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., are distributed to designated areas as instructed.
Clean floors, including sweeping, dusting, and damp/wet mopping. (NOTE: Assure that appropriate caution/safety signs are properly set up prior to performing such duties.)
Keep walls and ceilings clean by washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, etc.
Remove dirt dust, grease, film, etc., from equipment or floor surfaces, using proper cleaning/disinfecting solutions.
Discard waste/trash into proper containers and reline trash receptacle with plastic liner.
Resident Rights
Maintain the confidentiality of resident information.
Knock before entering a resident’s room.
Honor the residents’ personal and property rights.
Report complaints of missing property to your supervisor.
Miscellaneous
Turn in all found articles to your supervisor.
Working Conditions
Works in all areas of the facility.
Moves intermittently during working hours.
Is subject to frequent interruptions and may need to reschedule laundry 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 laundry 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 work on shifts other than the one for which hired.
Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day, 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.
Education
Must possess, as a minimum, a 10th grade education or its equivalent.
Experience
None required. On-the-job training provided.
Specific Requirements
Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions, to follow instructions, and to accept constructive criticism.
Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of laundry areas, for sanitation, order, and safety.
Must be 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.
Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing laundry practices.
Must be able to follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixture of cleaning compounds, liquids, cleaning instructions, etc.
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 work day.
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, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, 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 lift up to 25 pounds. Requires infrequent, heavier lifting of wet laundry, (weight varies). Constant carrying of laundry in and out of washer and dryer. Requires constant pushing and pulling of linen barrels and racks.
May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
