Laundry Staff

Job Description

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Laundry Staff / Laundry Aide

Environmental Services Department

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Director of Environmental Services

Overview of the Position:

The Laundry Staff provide the day-to-day activities of the laundry department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing the facility and to assure that an adequate supply of laundry/linen is on hand at all times to meet the needs of the residents.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Administrative Functions:

• Ensure that work/cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.

• Assist in developing procedures for performing daily laundry tasks.

• Assist the Director in standardizing the methods in which work is accomplished.

• 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 other departments in the facility.

Personnel Function:

• Attend departmental and staff meetings as directed or called.

• Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.

• Notify the facility when you will be late or absent from work.

• Report occupational exposures to body fluids or to hazardous chemicals to 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 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.

• Wear non-slip shoes as required.

• Ensure that assigned work areas are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.

• Keep work/assignment areas free of hazardous objects such as protruding mop/broom handles, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.

• Assist in maintaining material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for hazardous chemicals in the laundry department.

• Ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals in the department are properly labeled and stored. Follow established policies governing the use of labels and MSDSs

• Report missing or improperly labeled containers of hazardous chemicals to your supervisor.

• Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants, and solutions used for cleaning. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions when necessary.

• 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 appropriate in-service training programs 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 and/or hazardous wastes or chemicals.

• 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 routine/terminal/isolation procedures with the nursing service.

• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

• Other requirements that may become necessary/appropriate to assure that our laundry department is maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary manner.

Equipment and Supply Function:

• Ensure that an adequate supply of laundry supplies is available to perform daily tasks.

• Keep supervisor informed of supply needs.

• Ensure that an adequate supply of clean linen is maintained in linen closets.

• Monitor laundry procedures to ensure that supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

• Ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment used in the handling of infectious materials is available and easily accessible.

• Assist others in lifting heavy equipment, supplies, etc., as directed or requested.

• Ensure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift.

Resident Right:

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident information

• Knock before entering the resident’s room

• Honor the residents’ personal and property rights.

• Investigate complaints of lost or missing property when requested. Report findings to the Director.

Miscellaneous:

• Turn in all found articles to your supervisor.

Working Conditions:

• Works in laundry service areas, in resident rooms, and linen closets.

• Moves intermittently during working hours.

• Is subject to frequent interruptions and may need to reschedule laundry related 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, on weekends and holidays, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

• 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

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, including linen storage rooms. Must maintain resident clothing in a neat and organized manner.

• Must possess the ability and willingness 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 be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing laundry practices.

• Must not pose a direct threat to the health and 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 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.

• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical exam

• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.

• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 40 pounds to a minimum height of 3 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 10 feet.

• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Environmental Conditions:

Primarily inside work, normal to above-normal temperatures, some noise, occasional fumes/odors, chemical exposure and potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

This job cannot be performed without exposure to the stresses associated with an intimate, 24 hour skilled care environment that delivers care and services primarily to disabled and cognitively impaired residents in an aging population. Examples of these stresses include, but are not limited to: emergency health or safety response, weekend and holiday duty, unusual or impaired behavior by residents, family reactions to having a loved one in a nursing home, death and dying, oversight of state surveyors, ombudsmen and federal officials, presence of consultants and attorneys, and variable involvement of medical staff.

HIPAA is a law that must be followed by all healthcare personnel at every level. This position is a Mandated Reporter regarding the suspicion of elder abuse and may have access to Protected Health Information (PHI).