Housekeeping

Arbuckle Memorial Hospital has determined this is a safety-sensitive position. The task or duties assigned to this job could affect the safety and health of the employee or others.

General Definition: The housekeeper performs assigned duties in order to provide a clean, sanitary, comfortable, orderly and inviting environment for patients, staff and visitors. The housekeeper promotes sanitary conditions, which prevent the spread of infection and odors. She/he may be required to perform task, which involve exposure to visible blood contamination or reasonable anticipated blood contamination. The housekeeper must follow the required procedures for handling, cleaning, disposing, or moving of objects/materials, and/or the cleanup of blood, infectious materials, or body fluids containing blood in accordance with the OSHA Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard, EPA, State Health Department, etc.

Supervision Received: Housekeeping Supervisor or Housekeeping Manager

Supervision Exercised: None

Physical Requirements:

• The housekeeper will be required to lift, carry, walk, sit, push, pull, and work a flexible schedule, must be able to move continuously during work hours and able to lift and/or carry 25 to 50 pounds.

Job Description:

• Clean building interiors by dusting and sanitizing furniture, equipment, mirrors, and fixtures; washing windows walls, ceilings, vents, and light fixtures; sweeping, scrubbing and refinishing floors; vacuuming and shampooing carpet; re-supply all restrooms and all working areas with soap, paper towels and toilet tissue.
• Inspect assigned areas for cleanliness and document cleaning actions that have been taking for specific areas noting areas requires additional care or monitoring and informing your supervisor of incomplete work.
• May prepare assigned rooms by stocking and cleaning, which include changing linen in order to ensure a clean healthy environment during their stay.
• Hospital housekeepers routinely clean patient rooms, nursing units, surgical areas, administrative offices, laboratory areas, waiting areas, and public and non-public restrooms.
• They make beds, empty trash and restock linen.
• Cleaning supplies and equipment are an essential part of the position, and require housekeepers to take a daily inventory as well and inspect their equipment for any repairs or replacement.
• Housekeepers are required to keep the cart secure while it is in the public and patient areas and are not to leave them unattended without locking them for any reason.
• Hygiene: Hospital housekeepers are responsible for sustaining a clean environment in all areas of the hospital. Which consists of cleaning, mopping, vacuuming, and dusting all the areas in the hospital which includes: breeze way into the building, front lobby, physical therapy, admissions offices, gift shop, children’s play area, clinic waiting room, and restrooms, administration offices, laboratory, radiology, respiratory, heritage room, refreshment room, purchasing hallway, purchasing floor and shelves, dirty linen room, clean linen room, IT office, housekeeping hallways, employee breakroom and restrooms, housekeeping room, medical records, doctors sleep room, dictation, operating area and rooms, operating waiting area, counseling room and waiting, chapel, clinic, emergency room waiting area and restroom, breeze way exit at the emergency, emergency room and area, nursing desks and offices, pharmacy, dirty utility room, main nursing station, locker rooms and activity room, family kitchen, wound care and medical staff offices.
• Patient Rooms: The housekeeper should also clean the bathroom, make the beds, clean all surfaces, fixtures, ceiling, pictures, bedside table, phone, curtain, walls, windows, blinds, furniture with the approved cleaners that are provided and restocking the room quest couch with linen along with the outside cubby with linen.
• Linen: The housekeeper will make sure that linens are stocked in therapy, radiology, OR, ER, clinic, patient rooms and wound care.
• Garbage and Waste: The waste bins should be emptied and cleaned daily, dispose off medical waste.
• Check entire area for spills, water, etc. periodically, especially in patient’s restrooms.
• Report all needed repairs in writing to supervisor (such as leaky faucets or toilets, loose tile, broke windowpanes, missing nuts or screws, beds needing repair, etc.)
• Miscellaneous Duties: May be added as needed.
• Clean all air vents and lighting
• Follow instructions on use of germicidal solutions to clean. All procedures for solution use will be part of the housekeeper’s training.
• Use safety precautions in all housekeeping services.

To perform the various activities of hospital housekeeping, the individual should be technically sound and dedicated towards his/her work. He or she should be able to perform the responsibilities efficiently and coordinate with the various programs of the housekeeping department.

Education Requirements:

High school Diploma or Equivalent

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be able read understand, apply, and retain knowledge of department rules, regulations, and policies.
• Must be able to follow instructions, written and oral
• Must handle various cleaning solvents, chemical, etc.
• May be required to be able to lift up to (50) pounds in order to effectively utilize various equipment
• Must be able to walk for long periods of time

Training and experience :

Training and experience not required but would be helpful.

Occasionally, housekeepers attend in-service training. Such meeting can include updates on company policies, new equipment and discussing complaints made by patients or hospital staff in regards to housekeeping. They also ensure that proper infection control policies are being utilized.

The duties of the hospital housekeeping include the proper maintenance of the medical institution. Hospital housekeepers are responsible for sustaining a sterile environment in all areas of the hospital.