Housekeeper

Overview

The Housekeeper I is accountable for maintaining the hospital facilities in a clean, sanitary, orderly, and attractive condition to provide a suitable environment for the care of patients and for the work of the hospital employee.

Responsibilities

• Supervises the employees in an efficient manner by planning, organizing and monitoring all activities of the department to obtain maximum results.

• Establishes and maintains a regularly scheduled cleaning program throughout the hospital complex assuring that a high level of sanitation and sterilization is maintained.

• Coordinates department activities with those of other departments.

• Keeps abreast of new techniques and products for improving housekeeping service and evaluates, selects, and provides proper equipment and supplies for efficient and economical operation of the housekeeping department.

• Establishes and maintains procedures which will insure acceptable standards of quality including disposal of ordinary and contaminated refuse, disinfection of contaminated areas, pest and rodent control, and implementing infection control procedures.

• Makes recommendations for employment, promotion, disciplinary action, and termination of employment.

• Recommends appropriate staffing levels.

• Assures that employees receive orientation and in-service training.

• Inspects and evaluates the cleanliness and appearance of the hospital and initiates corrective action where necessary.

• Conducts inventories of housekeeping supplies and equipment and selects and requisitions new or replacement supplies and equipment.

• Initiates appropriate service requests for equipment and material in need of repair or replacement and may make recommendations as to areas requiring painting and general repairs.

• Develops and conducts frequent safety meetings to acquaint staff with basic housekeeping safety hazards.

• Investigates and prepares reports of accidents involving housekeeping personnel.

• Corrects and/or reports any unsafe conditions.

• Interviews, selects, evaluates, and terminates personnel or recommends such action.

• May initiate action to take, process, and analyze microbiological samples of air and surfaces to evaluate housekeeping methods and materials.

• May serve on various committees.

• Formulates and prepares budgets, work reports, and other administrative guides.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• High school graduate required.

• Special courses in housekeeping or institutional management desired.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years experience in hospital or related facility housekeeping required.

• Familiarity with collective-bargaining and labor-management relations preferred.

• Minimum of one (1) year experience in a supervisory capacity required.

Physical Requirements

• Must possess the physical ability needed to exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally.

• Must be able to exert 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently.

• Must be able to exert 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

• Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for medium work.

Specific Accountabilities

• Responsible for selecting, supervising and training housekeeping personnel.

• Responsible for maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and ensuring a sanitary and neat hospital environment.

• Responsible for maintaining accurate departmental records including cost and usage of all supplies.