Director of Housekeeping

DIRECTOR OF HOUSEKEEPING & LAUNDRY

Purpose: The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of the Housekeeping and Laundry Departments in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations governing our facility and as may be directed by Administrator, to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe and comfortable manner and that an adequate supply of laundry/linen is on had at all times to meet the needs of the residents.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate and direct the housekeeping and laundry departments, their programs and activities.

• Assist the housekeeping and laundry staff in the development and use of departmental policies and procedures, and the use of equipment, supplies, etc.

• Review the department’s policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually for revisions, and make recommendations to the Administrator.

• Interpret the departments policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etc.

• Assume the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the Housekeeping and Laundry Departments.

• Coordinate housekeeping and laundry services and activities with other related departments (i.e. Dietary, Nursing, etc.)

• Submit accident/incident reports to the Business Office within twenty-four (24) hours after the occurrence of the accident/incident.

• Assist the Infection Control Coordinator and/or Committee in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that housekeeping and laundry tasks involving potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.

• Ensure that laundry personnel handle, sort, wash and distribute laundry and linen in accordance with the facility's infection control policies and procedures governing such tasks.

• Inspect storage, rooms, utility/janitorial and linen closets, etc., for upkeep and supply control.

• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.

• Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in Housekeeping and Laundry Services that assure the continued ability to provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment, as well as, to provide an adequate supply of laundry and linen to our residents.

• Perform administrative duties such completing necessary forms, reports, evaluations, studies, etc.

• Delegate a responsible staff member to act in your behalf when you are absent from the facility.

Committee Functions:

• Serve on various committees of the facility (i.e. Infection Control, Safety Quality Assessment & Assurance, etc.) and provide written/oral reports of housekeeping and laundry service and activities as required by the committees' guidelines or direction.

• Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as maybe called.

• Schedule and announce departmental meetings times, dates, places, etc.

Personnel Functions:

• Determine departmental staffing requirements necessary to meet the housekeeping and laundry department's needs.

• Assist in the recruitment and selection of your department personnel.

• Ensure that appropriate identification documents are presented prior to employment and that such records are maintained in the employee's personnel record.

• Schedule department work hours (including vacation and holiday schedules), personnel, work assignments, cleaning schedules, etc., to expedite work.

• Monitor absenteeism to ensure adequate staffing in housekeeping and laundry personnel are on duty at all times.

• Assist in standardizing the methods in which housekeeping, and laundry tasks will be performed.

• Consult/discipline housekeeping and laundry personnel as requested, or as necessary.

• Ensure that the departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status.

• Terminate the employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the Human Resources Director and/or Administrator.

• Review complaints and grievances made or filled by department personnel and provide complain/grievance reports to the Administrator as required or as may be necessary.

• Make daily rounds to assure that housekeeping and laundry personnel are performing required duties and to assure that appropriate procedures are being rendered to meet the needs of the facility.

• Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures.

• Maintain a productive working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate housekeeping services to assure that care and services can be performed without interruption.

• Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, scheduling, etc., of in-service training classes, on-the-job training, and orientation programs for housekeeping personnel.

• Assume the responsibility for maintaining your professional competence through participation in programs of continuing education (i.e. housekeeping, laundry seminars, training programs, etc.).

• Maintain current written records of department expenditures and assure that adequate financial records and cost reports are submitted to the Administrator upon request or as necessary.

Safety and Sanitation:

• Supervise safety and fire protection and prevention programs by inspecting work areas and equipment at least weekly.

• Ensure that housekeeping and laundry personnel follow established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies at all times.

• Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g. back braces, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving heavy objects.

• Ensure that the facility is maintained in a clean and safe manner for the resident's comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained and operable to perform necessary duties and services.

• Ensure that current material safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals used by housekeeping and laundry are on file and easily accessible and that the staff is trained to use labels and MSDSs to recognize hazards and to follow appropriate protective measures.

• Assist the Maintenance Director in developing and implementing waste disposal policies and procedures for the departments.

• Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals participate in appropriate service training programs prior to performing such tasks.

• Ensure that housekeeping and laundry personnel follow established hand-washing procedures.

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

• Ensure that cleaning supplies used by the facility for disinfection and decontamination purposes are BPA approved.

• Ensure that equipment contaminated with blood or other infectious waste is properly labeled/tagged before being sent for repair or decontamination.

• Recommend to the administrator the equipment and supply needs of the departments.

Resident Rights:

• Maintain confidentiality of all resident information.

• Ensure that the resident's personal and property rights are following by housekeeping and laundry personnel at all times.

• Ensure that housekeeping and laundry inform residents when it is necessary to move personal possessions (i.e. cleaning, stripping floors, etc.)

• Knock before entering a resident's room.

• Review housekeeping and laundry complaints and grievances made by personnel, residents, or visitors, and make oral/written reports to the Administrator.

Education, Experience and Specific Requirements:

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

• Training in environmental control practices and procedures preferred, but not required.

• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.

• Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

• Attends and participates in continuing education programs.

• Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays, when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed.

• Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g. severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.)

• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

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

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

• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which includes a medical and physical examination.

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