Housekeeper

Job DetailsJob Location: Grantsville, MD 21536Salary Range: $15.25 - $16.00 HourlyGENERAL CHARGE:

            Goodwill Retirement Community is committed to provide for each resident the assistance and support which will help that resident to achieve and maintain the highest possible level of well-being and functioning.  So that we may fulfill our commitment to each resident every employee is required to abide by specified Work Principles and Performance Expectations.  Every employee is also expected to be fully aware of the information presented in Disclosure of Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions and to make every effort to act accordingly while working at Goodwill.

            This job description is not a contract, express or implied, guaranteeing employment for any specific duration.  Although we hope that your employment relationship with us will be long-term, either you or the company may terminate this relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice.  This job description in no way limits the authority of the Board of Directors to make amendments, corrections, additions, or deletions from these policies.

WORK PRINCIPLES

            Every employee is expected to abide by all the specified work principles at all times.  Violation of these principles will result in disciplinary action applied in accordance with the policies of Goodwill Retirement Community ranging from verbal reprimand to immediate termination.  The employee must:

Exhibit a strong commitment to excellence in every aspect of providing excellent care to the residents of Goodwill Retirement Community by word and deed and by Education and Training programs, Quality Assurance programs, and other improvement activities as may be conducted by Goodwill Retirement Community.
Exert every effort at all times to assist and support each resident, maintaining the dignity and independence of the resident to the highest degree possible and maintaining the confidentiality of the resident and his or her records in every respect.
Treat every resident, family member, member of the public and member of the staff with respect and dignity.
Obtain and maintain any and all required certification and/or licensure from the appropriate agency.
If a regularly scheduled employee, make himself or herself available to work as scheduled on an on-going basis.
Report to work on the day and at the time indicated on the posted work schedule in accordance with the policies and procedures on employee attendance, tardiness, and absenteeism.
Report to work dressed appropriately for the work assignment in accordance with the policy and procedures on employee attire.
Remain at the workstation throughout the tour of duty except when excused or sent by the supervisor to another location.
Take breaks and meal times in accordance with the policies and procedures on breaks and mealtimes.
Willingly cooperate with supervisor and with coworkers in the performance of his or her duties, complying with all appropriate standards and practices of the discipline and complying with all Goodwill Retirement Community rules, procedures, and policies at all times.
Encourage professionalism, mutual respect, and teamwork among fellow workers in order to achieve excellence of service; and work to maintain a positive atmosphere and attitude at all times in Goodwill Retirement Community, refraining from any activity, which encourages the development of a negative atmosphere or attitude.
Recognize problems, which interfere with excellent care, handling them in an open, honest fashion and through appropriate channels.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

            The Housekeeper is required to perform each of the following responsibilities to a performance level set by the immediate supervisor with input from the employee.  Both the employee and the supervisor monitor the employee's performance level for the purpose of improving performance and evaluating the contributions of the employee to the care of residents and to the overall operation of Goodwill Retirement Community.

Essential Functions and Marginal Functions

            Essential functions of a job classification are those functions which are performed very frequently, which require a high level of skill, which require licensure or certification, which cannot be assigned to others because of the unavailability of staff, or which are highly relevant to the nature of the job itself.  Marginal functions are those who can be performed by another person without significant limitations such as those posed by the essential functions.

            Because of the nature of the nursing home industry few functions can be described as marginal.  Goodwill Retirement Community, however, intends to make reasonable accommodations for those who have difficulty in performing a particular task unless such accommodations place undue burdens on the other staff members, residents, or Goodwill Retirement Community.

Essential Functions:

The Housekeeper will:

Dry mop all floors using treated dust mop to keep floors free of dust and debris.
Wet mop all floors using the housekeeping cart and its equipment (bucket, mop, wringer, water, detergent, and the appropriate sanitizing agent) to keep floors clean, free of marks and sanitary.
Clean all bathrooms, tub rooms and public rest rooms using the housekeeping cart and its equipment (bucket, mop, wringer, water, detergent, toilet bowl brush and cleaner, and the appropriate sanitizing agent) to keep all bathroom surfaces clean, free of marks and sanitary.
Clean all resident room equipment, shelves, surfaces, lights, window blinds, and exposed pipes using the housekeeping cart and its equipment (bucket, rags, water, detergent, and the appropriate sanitizing agent) to keep these items clean, free of dust, dirt, and grime, and to keep them sanitary. Ensure all rooms are cared for and inspected according to set standards.
Dust all sprinkler heads using a vacuum cleaner with a dusting brush attachment to keep sprinkler heads clean and dust-free. Clean ceiling vents.
Clean all drinking fountains, using rags, the appropriate stainless steel cleaner, and sanitizing agent to keep the drinking fountains clean, free of water spots, and sanitary.
Dust chandeliers using a feather duster to keep the chandeliers sparkling and clear of dust. Cleaning all light fixtures and lamps.
Gather trash from all rooms, offices, and public areas and take it to the dumpsters using plastic bags and the tilting trash truck so that the environment is free from odors and trash.
Wash and sanitize wastebaskets using hot water, detergent, and sanitizing solution, relining them to keep the environment clean, odor-free, and sanitary.
Restock supply closets on floors using the appropriate cart, paper products, and cleaning supplies to achieve efficiency in performing housekeeping duties.
Clean vertical surfaces such as doors, walls, wood work and windows. Remove marks off walls, tops of windows, doorframes and wood trim. 
Notify Supervisors of any broken, faulty or damaged items on or in the facility.
Work constantly, using Goodwill’s policies and procedures and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Comply with the facility’s personnel, safety policies and procedures.
Work with little supervision and maintain a high level of performance.
Work without compromising quality.
Use time management skills to prioritize and perform duties most efficiently and effectively.
Take care of the furniture, fitting, and fixtures of the Goodwill Retirement Community.
Feed or assist the resident with meals in the feeding areas and only when the DRM is present on the floor.  Feeding areas include dining rooms and resident rooms.
NOT feed residents who have complicated feeding conditions including but not limited to:

Aspiration precautions; or
Tube or parenteral intravenous feedings.

Marginal Functions

Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Environmental Services or the Assistant Director of Housekeeping and Laundry for the efficient and effective operation of the Housekeeping Department.

QualificationsDISCLOSURE OF PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

            The physical requirements and environmental conditions associated with each job classification are disclosed to each employee of Goodwill Retirement Community upon employment and annually thereafter.  The employee is well advised to be aware of the physical demands and environmental conditions under which he or she works and to take sensible precautions at all times to avoid accidents.

            Most accidents are preventable; they often result from employee inattention to the physical requirements of the job and the environmental conditions under which tasks will be performed.  Goodwill is committed to disclose physical requirements and environmental conditions to employees and to teach employees how to work safely within those requirements and conditions.  They employee must do his or her part to learn and then to engage in practices which ensure safety for all.  These practices include the use of appropriate body mechanics in all areas of work.

            Goodwill Retirement Community complies with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule at 29 CPR Part 1910.1030, Occupational Exposure to Blood borne Pathogens; Final Rule.  This rule, which applies to all occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, requires us to make available to each employee a current copy of our Exposure Control Plan.  The degree of exposure of an employee in this job classification to blood borne pathogens is defined in the Exposure Control Plan.  It is also reproduced below.

Physical Requirements

The Housekeeping staff members of the Housekeeping Department must have the physical ability to:

Stand and walk short and long distance for up to 8 hours each shift.
Continually move the arms and body, pushing and pulling while vacuuming, dry mopping, and wet mopping.
Bend, Stoop and lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds (up to 100 pounds for the utility housekeeper).          
Occasionally climb and work from a step stool or a stepladder.
Stretch and reach into hard-to-reach areas or objects.

Environmental Conditions:  Exposure Determination

            The Administrator of Goodwill Retirement Community has made the following determination with respect to the exposure of Housekeeping and Laundry Department employees to blood borne pathogens:

Housekeepers:  Exposure occurs for Housekeeping Service employees who come in contact with potentially infectious materials while cleaning in resident rooms or other residential areas after an episode of vomiting or diarrhea, while cleaning up blood or urine spills, or while handling waste containing infectious materials.

Other Environmental Conditions

The Housekeeping staff members of the Housekeeping Department will be exposed to:

Potential allergic reactions to chemicals used for cleaning and sanitizing.
Potential injury from falls on slippery or wet floors.
Unpleasant odors.
Potential unkind remarks at times from resident are family members, or visitors.
Potential for injury form equipment and supplies used.
Potential bruises, scratches and hits from residents.