Job Summary:
The Housekeeping Aide performs a variety of general environmental cleaning duties in support of the NIH Clinical Center (Building 10) and associated NIH campus facilities in Bethesda, MD. This position carries out all phases of patient room care, common area cleaning, and waste removal in strict accordance with NIH facility standards, healthcare environmental cleaning procedures, TJC Environment of Care requirements, and CDC infection control protocols. The Housekeeping Aide operates standard EVS cleaning equipment and applies healthcare-grade cleaning agents to maintain a safe, clean, and compliant environment in one of the nation’s preeminent federal research hospitals. All work is performed in compliance with AHE productivity standards and OSHA chemical safety requirements.
Salary: $23.88 Per applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
Benefits: All employee benefits and paid time off will be set forth as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for this contract.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed for this position and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. Other duties may be assigned.
Patient Room and Unit Cleaning
- Cleans and supplies patient rooms, wards, and isolation areas at the NIH Clinical Center in accordance with NIH-specific cleaning protocols, TJC Environment of Care standards, and CDC infection control guidelines; applies appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures based on area classification and active isolation precautions (Contact, Droplet, Airborne).
- Dusts and damp-wipes horizontal and vertical surfaces including furniture, equipment, and high-touch points using healthcare-grade microfiber systems and EPA-registered, NIH-approved disinfectants at correct dilution ratios per SDS requirements.
- Dry-mops and wet-mops hard surface floors of patient rooms and corridors using correct cleaning agents, proper dilution, and NIH-approved microfiber mopping systems in compliance with AHE productivity standards.
- Makes beds, replenishes patient room supplies (soap, paper products, linen), and sorts and distributes clean linen in compliance with NIH linen management procedures.
Common Areas, Offices, and Support Spaces
- Cleans and maintains nursing stations, lounges, lavatories, bathrooms, offices, conference rooms, corridors, and any other areas as assigned; performs spot-cleaning of walls, windows, and partitions as needed.
- Cleans and polishes metal and porcelain bathroom fixtures; scrubs and sanitizes restroom floors, walls, and fixtures using NIH-approved disinfectants; restocks restroom supplies.
- Vacuums carpeted areas using HEPA-filtered vacuums and performs carpet spot-cleaning as needed.
Waste and Recyclables Removal
- Performs daily removal of waste and recyclables from assigned NIH Clinical Center areas in accordance with NIH healthcare environmental cleaning procedures, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030, and NIH Medical Waste Management protocols.
- Collects, transports, and empties non-regulated solid waste and recyclables into designated dumpsters and recycling containers; segregates waste streams in accordance with NIH sustainability and recycling program requirements.
- Collects, transports, packages, and stores regulated medical waste (RMW) in strict compliance with NIH RMW handling protocols, federal and state regulations, and required personal protective equipment (PPE) standards; regulated medical waste handling requires completion of all mandatory NIH training prior to performance.
Emergency Response and Spill Cleanup
- Responds immediately to emergency cleaning requests from supervisory or clinical staff, including biohazard spill cleanup; applies appropriate infection control procedures per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 and NIH facility protocol when blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials are involved.
- Assists in all emergency cleaning operations as directed by the Group Leader or EVS Supervisor; participates in disaster preparedness drills and is prepared to respond during emergency activations at the NIH Clinical Center.
Equipment, Chemical Safety, and Facility Care
- Operates, cleans, and maintains assigned EVS equipment including light mops, small wringers, dusters, household-type and HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners, and other tools; inspects equipment before and after use and initiates repair requests when defects are identified.
- Properly stores, labels, and handles all EPA-registered cleaning chemicals and supplies in compliance with SDS requirements, OSHA HazCom/GHS (29 CFR 1910.1200), and NIH chemical safety protocols.
- Reports defects in equipment, furniture, building infrastructure, and fixtures to supervisory staff promptly; uses ladders safely and in accordance with NIH safety requirements when required for overhead tasks.
General Requirements:
- Must have knowledge of all EVS department policies, procedures, and NIH facility-specific cleaning protocols; must wear uniform and comply with NIH access control and Teya departmental work rules at all times.
- Must be willing and able to assist in emergency response at the NIH Clinical Center, including infectious disease events, biohazard spill response, and disaster preparedness activation; will receive all required training prior to deployment.
- Must be available to cover all shifts in support of 24-hour, 7-day-per-week NIH operations, including evenings, nights, weekends, and federal holidays.
HIPAA and Safety:
Must perform all duties in a manner that assures the confidentiality, privacy, dignity, and safety of NIH patients, research participants, visitors, and staff at all times, in strict compliance with HIPAA regulations and NIH privacy policies. Must wear appropriate PPE as required by area classification, task, and active infection control precautions. Must comply with all NIH campus security requirements, complete a federal background investigation, and complete pre-employment drug screening prior to start date.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
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. Employee must maintain a constant state of mental alertness at all times. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Able to bend, stoop, carry, kneel, push, pull, and lift.
Knowledge and safe use of a ladder.
Push stocked EVS carts of up to 80 pounds.
Reaching overhead.
Walking / Standing 60%
Bending / Stooping 15%
Kneeling / Crouching 10%
Reaching / Extending 10%
Twisting / Turning 5%
Note: Per BLS Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS), workers in this classification (SOC 37-2011) are on their feet approximately 95% of the workday; seated time is minimal.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Adequate written and oral English language skills sufficient to read work orders, SDS labels, and follow written and verbal instructions; ability to read and understand NIH-specific cleaning procedure documentation.
- Must be able to take direction, follow established infection control and EVS cleaning procedures, and carry out all assignments thoroughly and to required quality standards.
- Must demonstrate ability to perform assigned duties to AHE productivity standards without constant supervision; familiarity with healthcare environmental cleaning equipment and chemicals preferred; comprehensive on-the-job training provided.
- Must be available for all shifts in a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week NIH operational environment including evenings, nights, weekends, and federal holidays; must complete federal background investigation and pre-employment drug screening prior to start date.
Performance Standards:
To be successful in this role, the Housekeeping Aide will apply knowledge and best practices in healthcare environmental services to ensure timely and thorough completion of all assigned duties in compliance with NIH contract requirements, TJC, CDC, OSHA, and AHE standards. Performance standards include quality of work, room inspection scores, attendance, safety compliance, equipment care, productivity, and client satisfaction. This document is not a contract of employment.
