Laundry Aide

Purpose of Your Job Position
The primary purpose of your job position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Laundry Depart- ment in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator and/or the Housekeeping/Laundry Supervisor, to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner, and that an adequate supply of linen is on hand at all times to meet the needs of the patients.

Delegation of Authority
As Laundry Worker, you are delegated the authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions
Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an es- sential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities
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 housekeeping services with nursing services when performing routine assignments in patient living.
•    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 Functions
•    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 sched- uled or as directed.
•    Attend and participate in ALL scheduled in-services, including annual OSHA and CDC in-service train- ing programs for hazard communication, TB management, and blood borne pathogens standard.

Safety and Sanitation Functions
•    Follow all established facility safety and sanitation-related policies and procedures including those re- lating to fire, equipment, supplies, and infection control and MSDSs, including reporting of missing/ illegible labels, use/disposal of personal protective equipment, hand-sanitizing, and waste disposal.
•    Ensure that assigned work areas are maintained in a clean, safe, comfortable, and attractive manner.
•    Keep work/assignment areas free of hazardous objects, I.e., laundry carts, bins, bags, etc.
•    Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions used for cleaning. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions when necessary.
•    Discard sharps into designated containers.
•    Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.
•    Participate in appropriate in-service training program prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals.
•    Coordinate routine/terminal isolation procedures with nursing service.
 
•    Other(s) that may become necessary/appropriate to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable manner.

Equipment and Supply Functions
•    Ensure that an adequate supply of linens/laundry supplies to perform daily tasks and meet patient needs is maintained in linen/laundry closets.
•    Keep supervisor informed of supply needs.
•    Report equipment breakdowns and malfunctions etc., 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 or directed.
•    Ensure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift.
Laundry Services Functions
•    Perform day-to-day laundry functions as assigned in accordance with daily work assignments and estab- lished laundry procedures.
•    Collect, sort, and weigh soiled laundry, linen, garments, etc., and place in appropriate containers or as- signed areas, separating those items that require special stain removal/treatment, in accordance with established procedures.
•    Press/iron garments as instructed.
•    Fold, count, stack, hang, and distribute clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., to patients daily and/or as instructed.
•    During emergency conditions, assure that clean laundry, linen, garments, etc., are distributed to desig- nated 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.

Patient Rights Functions
•    Maintain the confidentiality of patient information.
•    Knock before entering a patient’s room, and adhere to all facility patient rights and privacy policies and procedures.
•    Honor the patients’ personal and property rights.
•    Inform patient when it is necessary to move his/her personal possessions during cleaning procedures.

Miscellaneous Functions
•    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 from patients, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
•    Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients, family members, personnel, and visitors.
•    Communicates with housekeeping 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, and 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 reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
•    Is subject to exposure to hazardous chemicals, infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB
AIDS, Covid variants and Hepatitis B viruses.
Education
•    Must possess an educational background sufficient to meet specific requirements of the position.
 
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 accept construc- tive criticism.
•    Must possess the ability to deal patiently, tactfully, with a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm with personnel, patients, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.
•    Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of laundry areas, must perform regular inspections of patient rooms/units for sanitation, order, safety and proper performance of assigned duties.
•    Must be able to follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixing of cleaning compounds, liq- uids, disinfecting solutions, etc.
•    Must be able to relate information concerning a patient’s condition, and communicate with other de- partments.
•    Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
•    Must be willing to follow all company, state and regulatory policies related to Infection Control and Vaccination requirements.
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 due to relating to and work- ing with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people.
•    Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function ade- quately so 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 the patients, personnel.
•    Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility.
•    Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a reasonable minimum of pounds to a reasonable height and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a reasonable distance.
•    May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of patients during emergency situations.

Job Position Analysis Information
YES    Tasks assigned to this position MAY involve potential and/or direct exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants, and hazardous chemicals
YES    Functions Require Repetitive Motion
YES    Weight Lifting requirements do apply.
YES    Functions Require Prolonged Sitting, Standing, and/or Bending