SUMMARY: The primary purpose of the Director of Environmental Services is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operation of the Housekeeping 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 clean, safe, and comfortable manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the housekeeping department, its programs and activities.

·Develop and maintain written housekeeping policies and procedures.

·Assume the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the housekeeping department.

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

·Make written oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the housekeeping department.

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

·Schedule and announce departmental meeting times, dates, places, etc.

·Determine departmental staffing requirements necessary to meet the housekeeping department’s needs.

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

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

·Ensure that all housekeeping personnel attend and participate in annual mandatory in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Lifting Technique, etc.).

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

·Ensure that housekeeping 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 brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving heavy objects.

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

·Ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals in the department are properly labeled and stored. Report problem areas to the Safety Officer.

·Develop, maintain, and implement infection control and universal precautions policies and procedures to assure that a sanitary environment is maintained at all times and that aseptic and isolation techniques are followed by all housekeeping personnel.

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

·Other(s) that may become necessary/appropriate to assure that our facility is maintained in a clean, safe and comfortable manner.

·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 housekeeping personnel follow established policies governing the use/disposal of personal protective equipment and disposal of infectious wastes.

·Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.

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

·Assist in preparing and planning the housekeeping department’s budget and submit to the Administrator for review, recommendations, and approval.

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

·Ensure that the residents’ personal and property rights are followed by housekeeping personnel at all times.

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 diploma or its equivalent.

·Must have, as a minimum, three (2) years’ experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital or other related medical facility.

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

·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.

·Must be knowledgeable of housekeeping practices and procedures as well as the laws, regulations and guidelines governing housekeeping functions in the nursing care facility.

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

·Must have the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the Housekeeping Department.

·Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., the appearance of housekeeping areas, and must perform regular inspections of resident rooms/units for sanitation, order, safety and proper performance of assigned duties.

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

·Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing housekeeping practices.

·Must have the ability to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

·Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

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 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 possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so 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 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 distance of 50 feet.

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