JOB SUMMARY:
The primary purpose of the Laundry Aide position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Laundry Department and as may be directed by your supervisor.
JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Administrative Functions
- Ensure that work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.
- Assist in coordinating daily laundry services with nursing and activity services when performing routine assignments in resident living areas.
- Attend department and staff meetings as directed.
- File complaints/grievances with your supervisor.
- Turn in all lost and found articles to your supervisor.
- Maintain a lost and found area in the laundry department.
Laundry Services Functions
- Perform day-to-day laundry functions as assigned.
- Perform specific tasks according to daily work assignments.
- Perform assigned tasks according to established laundry procedures.
- Collect, sort, count and/or weigh soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc. and place in appropriate containers or assigned areas.
- Separate items that require special stain removal/treatment.
- Press/iron garments as instructed.
- Fold, count, stack, hang, label and distribute clean laundry to residents daily 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 mopping as requested.
- Keep laundry area clean and sanitary.
- Remove dust, dirt, grease, etc. from equipment and/or floor surfaces as necessary.
- Discard waste/trash into proper containers and reline receptacle with plastic liner.
Staff Development Functions
- Participate in department projects as directed.
- Attend in-service programs and on-the-job training classes as directed.
- Attend annual OSHA and CDC in-service programs for hazard communication, TB management and blood borne pathogens standards.
Safety and Sanitation Functions
- 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 when lifting or moving heavy objects.
- Ensure that assigned work areas are kept in a clean and sanitary manner.
- Keep work areas free of hazardous objects, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.
- Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions used in the work area. Always refer to MSDSs when necessary.
- Follow established procedures for product labeling and MSDSs.
- Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.
- Report any and all accidents/incidents to your supervisor during the shift in which they occur.
- Ensure that established infection control and universal precautions are followed.
- Use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment when handling infectious materials.
- Discard sharps into designated container.
- Follow established hand washing procedures.
- Dispose of refuse daily according to proper sanitation procedures.
- Coordinate isolation procedures with nursing services.
- Participate in in-service training prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids or hazardous chemicals.
Equipment and Supply Functions
- Ensure that an adequate supply of laundry products is maintained to meet the daily needs of the residents.
- Keep supervisor informed of supply needs.
- Report all broken or malfunctioning equipment to your supervisor.
- Ensure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of your shift.
Resident Rights Responsibilities
- Maintain the confidentially of all resident information.
- Knock before entering the resident’s room.
- Honor the resident’s personal and property rights.
- Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.
- Inform resident when it is necessary to move his/her personal possessions.
- Report complaints of missing or mislabeled property to your supervisor.
Working Conditions
- Works primarily in the laundry area as well as in all areas of the facility.
- Moves intermittently during work hours.
- Is subject to frequent interruptions and may need to reschedule laundry activities.
- Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agency personnel, etc. under all conditions and circumstances.
- Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.
- Communicates with other laundry personnel, nursing personnel and other department personnel.
- Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, and in other positions, temporarily, when necessary.
- Is subject to callback during emergency conditions.
- May be required to work on shifts other than the one for which hired.
- 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, plastics, synthetics, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other potential contaminants.
- Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, disease, conditions, etc. including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
- May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Education
- Must possess a minimum, a tenth (10th) grade education.
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, follow instructions and accept constructive feedback.
· Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agency personnel, and the general public.
· Must possess the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
· Must have patience, tact, a positive attitude and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
· Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing housekeeping practices.
· Must be able to follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixing of cleaning compounds, liquids, disinfecting solutions, etc.
· Must be able to distinguish between cotton, wool and synthetics.
· Must be familiar with proper heat to apply to particular fabrics to prevent damage.
· Must not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.
Physical and Sensory Requirements
· 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 be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure 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 residents, personnel, and support agencies.
· Must meet the general health requirement set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
· Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at time hostile people within the facility.
· 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 push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of five (5) pounds to a minimum height of three (3) feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of five (5) feet.
· Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
· Sitting: 1 hour per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing or walking.
· Standing: 1-2 hours per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to walking and occasionally to sitting.
· Walking: 5-6 hours per 8 hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing and occasionally to sitting.
· Lifting: 1-10 lbs. Continuously
11-20 lbs. Continuously
21-75 lbs. Frequently
> 75 lbs. Frequently
· Carrying: 1-10 lbs. Continuously
11-20 lbs. Frequently
21-35 lbs. Occasionally
· Driving: Rarely
· Pushing: Frequently
· Bending: Continuously
· Squatting: Frequently
· Kneeling: Occasionally
· Crawling: Rarely
· Climbing: Rarely
· Reaching: Continuously
· Grasping: Frequently
· Fine Manipulation: Frequently
(Frequency: Never=0%; Rarely=1-10%; Occasionally=11=33%; Frequently = 34-66%; Continuously = 67%+)
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.