SUMMARY: The primary purpose of the Maintenance Assistant is to help plan, organize, and develop the overall operation of the Maintenance Department in accordance with current, federal, state and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that our facility is maintained in a safe and comfortable manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Plan, develop, organize, implement, and evaluate the Maintenance Department, its programs and activities.

Coordinate maintenance services and activities with other related departments. Make written or oral reports to the Administrator as necessary/required concerning the operation of the Maintenance Department.

Assist in establishing a preventive maintenance program.

Repair facility/resident property as necessary. In the event of inability to repair coordinate with outside vendors to make repair or replace as cost effectively as possible, under the guidance of the Director of Maintenance. Also ensure that services provided by outside vendors are properly completed/supervised in accordance with contracts/work orders.

Assist in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job related maintenance functions to ensure that tasks involving the potential exposure to bloody/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.

Inspect storage rooms, workrooms, utility/janitorial closets, etc., for upkeep.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be directed. Review deficiencies noted during survey inspections.

Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Director of Maintenance adjustments in maintenance services that would assure the continued ability to provide a clean, safe and comfortable environment.

Agree not to disclose resident’s protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

Serve on various committees of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Safety, QA, etc.) and provide written/oral reports of maintenance services and activities as required by the committee’s guidelines or direction.

Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called.

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

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

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

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

Ensure that supplies, equipment, etc., are maintained to provide safe and comfortable environment. Promptly report equipment or facility damage to the Director of Maintenance.

Assume the responsibility for obtaining/maintaining material safety data sheets (MSDS) for hazardous chemicals in the maintenance department and ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals in the department are properly labeled and stored. Ensure that all maintenance personnel are trained to use labels & MSDSs to recognize hazards and to follow appropriate protective measures.

Assist in developing & implementing waste disposal policies and procedures for the maintenance department. Ensure that maintenance personnel follow established policies governing the use/disposal of personal protective equipment and disposal of infectious wastes.

Ensure that maintenance policies and procedures identify appropriate safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that could result in bodily injury.

Make periodic rounds to check equipment and to assure that necessary equipment is available and working properly. Monitor maintenance procedures to ensure that supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

Ensure that equipment contaminated with blood or other infectious material is properly labeled or tagged before being set for repair or decontamination.

Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information

Make weekly inspections of all maintenance functions to assure that quality control measures are continually maintained.

Be prepared to handle emergencies as they come (i.e., rescheduling, maintenance work schedules, etc.)

Be sure that appropriate medical waste is disposed of in accordance with our facility’s established procedures.

Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor, no matter how minor they may be.

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

Use appropriate personal protective equipment and supplies when handling infectious materials and/or hazardous wastes or chemicals.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Must possess, as a minimum, a high school education or its equivalent.

Experience with long term care facilities is preferred.

Must be knowledgeable of boilers, compressors, generators, etc., as well as various mechanical, electrical & plumbing systems.

Must have the ability to read and interpret blueprints.

Must be able to follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixing of cleaning compounds, liquids, disinfecting solutions, etc.

Knowledge in building codes and safety regulations is preferable.

Must be licensed in accordance with current applicable standards, codes, labor laws, etc.

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

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.

Knowledge of maintenance practices and procedures, as well as the laws, regulations and guidelines governing maintenance functions in nursing care facilities is preferred.

Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of maintenance areas; must perform regular inspections of resident rooms/units for order, safety, and proper performance of equipment.

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.

Must be able to carry out programs in repair, new construction, and equipment installation.

Must be able to relate information concerning a facility's condition

Must be willing 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel, and support agencies.

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

Must be able to relate to and work with 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 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum of 50 feet.

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