Housekeeping

Position Summary

The Housekeeping Staff member is responsible for maintaining a clean, sanitary, safe, and comfortable environment for residents, staff, and visitors within the dementia and memory care facility. This position requires attention to detail, consistency, compassion, and an understanding that residents living with dementia may have unique environmental and safety needs.

The Housekeeping Staff member will perform routine and deep-cleaning duties throughout resident rooms, common areas, dining areas, bathrooms, offices, and other facility spaces while following established infection-control, sanitation, safety, and facility policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Resident Areas

• Clean and disinfect resident rooms according to the facility's housekeeping schedule.
• Clean resident bathrooms, including toilets, sinks, showers, floors, and high-touch surfaces.
• Dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, and sanitize floors and surfaces.
• Empty and properly dispose of trash and waste.
• Change linens and make beds as assigned.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, light switches, handrails, and grab bars.
• Report spills, odors, damaged equipment, maintenance concerns, or unsafe conditions immediately.
• Respect residents' personal belongings, privacy, dignity, and personal space.
• Use additional patience and awareness when working around residents who may be confused, anxious, wandering, or easily startled.

Common Areas

• Maintain cleanliness of hallways, lounges, activity rooms, dining areas, entrances, elevators, and other common areas.
• Clean and disinfect tables, chairs, handrails, doors, and other high-touch surfaces.
• Vacuum carpets and rugs and maintain hard-surface flooring.
• Keep common areas free of clutter and potential fall hazards.
• Clean windows, mirrors, glass doors, and other assigned areas.
• Assist with maintaining a pleasant, comfortable, and homelike atmosphere for residents.

Infection Control & Sanitation

• Follow facility infection-control and sanitation procedures at all times.
• Properly use cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Follow manufacturer's instructions and facility policies regarding chemical use and dilution.
• Never mix cleaning chemicals unless specifically authorized by facility policy and manufacturer instructions.
• Properly label, store, and secure cleaning chemicals and supplies.
• Follow appropriate procedures for bodily fluids, contaminated materials, and other potentially infectious materials.
• Maintain appropriate separation of clean and contaminated supplies and equipment.
• Report infection-control concerns to the appropriate supervisor.

Dementia & Memory Care Responsibilities

• Maintain a calm, respectful, and non-threatening approach when working around residents.
• Be aware that residents may enter areas while cleaning is in progress.
• Never leave cleaning chemicals, equipment, carts, or other potentially hazardous items unattended where residents can access them.
• Keep housekeeping carts and supplies secured when not directly attended.
• Maintain clear pathways and minimize environmental hazards that could contribute to falls or confusion.
• Notify nursing or supervisory staff if a resident appears distressed, injured, unusually confused, or in need of assistance.
• Do not attempt to physically restrain, redirect, or provide care outside the employee's training and job responsibilities.
• Protect resident confidentiality and do not discuss resident information with unauthorized individuals.

Safety Responsibilities

• Follow all facility safety policies and procedures.
• Use appropriate lifting and body-mechanics techniques.
• Wear required PPE when performing assigned tasks.
• Immediately report spills, broken equipment, damaged flooring, loose carpeting, blocked exits, or other hazards.
• Use wet-floor signs and other warning devices when appropriate.
• Maintain housekeeping equipment in clean and safe working condition.
• Report malfunctioning equipment to the supervisor and do not use unsafe equipment.
• Participate in required emergency preparedness and safety training.

Professional Standards

The Housekeeping Staff member is expected to:

• Treat every resident with dignity, respect, patience, and compassion.
• Maintain a professional appearance and behavior.
• Communicate respectfully with residents, families, visitors, and coworkers.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding residents and facility operations.
• Arrive on time and complete assigned duties within the scheduled shift.
• Work cooperatively with nursing, dietary, activities, maintenance, and administrative staff.
• Follow the facility's policies, procedures, and code of conduct.
• Demonstrate reliability, honesty, and accountability.
• Immediately report resident safety concerns or suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other reportable incidents according to facility policy and applicable regulations.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb stairs as required.
• Push and pull housekeeping carts and equipment.
• Lift and carry cleaning supplies and equipment within facility-defined limits.
• Perform repetitive cleaning motions.
• Safely maneuver around residents, furniture, equipment, and narrow spaces.
• Perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Qualifications

Required:

• Ability to read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to perform routine cleaning and sanitation duties.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to interact respectfully with older adults, including individuals living with dementia.
• Ability to follow infection-control and safety procedures.

Preferred: