Laundry Worker
Job Summary
The laundry worker will wash and dry linen and residents’ clothes. Employee will see that all clean linen is returned to the linen storage area as quickly as possible. Employee will see that residents’ clothes are promptly returned to the owners, are properly identified and report losses and damages of residents’ laundry. Is employee’s duty to remove lint from tumblers and clean laundry. Employee maintains an inventory of linens and laundry supplies.
The laundry worker is responsible to the Administrator of the facility.
Education
Must be able to read, write and follow oral and written instructions.
Qualifications
1. Previous experience preferable but not essential.
2. Worker receives on-the-job training with supervision.
3. Must have an understanding of standard procedures used in laundry services for patients and in caring for clothes, linens, equipment, and supplies.
4. Has an interest in learning, ability to cooperate, and is willing to work under supervision.
5. Must work thirty-seven and one-half (37.5) hours per week, working weekends and holidays as scheduled.
6. Must have a pre-employment and annual Tuberculosis screening examination.
Responsibilities
1. To execute duties under the direction and supervision of the Laundry Department Supervisor, the Director of Nursing and/or the Administrator according to assignment.
2. Must have a genuine interest in working with geriatrics.
3. Must be willing to handle soiled, and dirty laundry.
4. Must perform repetitive tasks on a continuous basis.
5. Has the ability to work well with co-workers.
6. Must maintain laundry area in clean and orderly conditions.
7. Works under close supervision, performing routine standardized tasks.
Physical Demands
Use the percentage range as follows:
0% Never 1-33% Occasionally 34-66% Frequent 67-100% Continuous
Requires full range of body motion including:
1. Standing/Walking Frequently: Worker is on his/her feet the majority of the day to perform direct or indirect duties related to laundry.
2. Bending/Stooping Frequently: Required to use commercial washer and dryer, gathering soiled clothing and linens and distributing same.
3. Lifting/Handling Frequently: Required to lift and handle detergent and other cleaning agents, large bundles of clothes and linens etc. Range of weight 1-50lbs.
4. Carrying Occasionally: May have to carry large bundles of clothes and linens, detergents, etc. Range of weight 1-50lbs.
5. Push/Pull Frequently: Required to move large linen carts, insert and remove linens into washer and dryer. Range of Weight 1-250lbs.
6. Balancing Occasionally: When placing or removing linen in washers and dryers.
7. Twisting/Turning Frequently: In combination with lifting and bending, pushing and pulling laundry carts, stocking shelves and cabinets, loading and unloading machines, etc.
8. Crouching/Stooping Occasionally: May be required any time during the working day.
9. Kneeling Occasionally
10. Reaching Occasioanlly: Required to perform various tasks throughout the day.
a. Greater than shoulder height: Occasionally
b. Equal to shoulder height: Occasionally
c. Less than shoulder height: Frequently
11. Handling/Manual dexterity Continuously: Both fine and gross motor skills are needed in all types of laundry duties.
12. Speaking/Hearing/Seeing Continuously: Must be able to communicate with co-workers, patients, and visitors.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
LAUNDRY WORKER:
Functions related to daily:
1. Wash, dry and fold linens that are laundered, and replace in linen closets.
2. Wash, dry and fold residents’ clothes and return promptly to owners.
3. See that residents’ clothes are properly indemnified and labeled with indelible ink pen.
4. Report losses and damages of residents’ laundry.
5. Maintain inventory of linens and laundry supplies.
6. Check residents’ laundry to be sure that items are washable.
7. Keep soiled laundry away from clean laundry.
8. Keep laundry off floor.
9. Perform other duties that might be assigned by the administrator.
Functions related to equipment and supplies:
1. Practice economy in use of supplies and equipment.
2. Clean filters and replace in washing machines after each load.
3. Remove lint from tumbler. Keep tumbler clean.
4. Routine cleaning of all equipment. Keep laundry clean.
5. Maintain inventory of laundry supplies, detergent, bleach, starch, etc., reporting to Administrator any needed items.
6. Report to Administrator any broken or defective equipment promptly,
7. Do not overload the equipment. This impairs efficiency and quality.
8. Use only amount of detergent required as this will help maintain low suds. Too much detergent or high suds impairs cleaning.
Functions related to reporting:
1. Be on duty at beginning of shift, punch time cards and report to Administrator for any additional instructions of duties.
2. Report to Administrator before going off duty, punch time card and leave facility.
3. In the event of illness or other reasons for absenteeism, notify the ADMINISTRATOR or CHARGE NURSE in ample time to allow arrangements to be made for performance of duties.
Suggested routine of duties:
1. Report on duty at assigned time, clock in on time card.
2. Check laundry room immediately and start laundry.
3. Check supplies for adequate supply for day and report to Administrator for necessary supplies.
4. Check linen storage to be sure adequate amount of linen is available for morning care.
5. Return to work area and fold any clean laundry that might have been left by another shift and return to proper places.
6. Continuously wash soiled linens and dry laundry and return to proper places so as to complete all laundry and have available for use.
7. Be sure that residents’ laundry is not sent out of facility to be laundered.
8. Perform any other assigned duties.
**NO AIR CONDITIONING OR REFRIGERATION WORK WILL BE PERFORMED BY LAUNDRY PERSONNEL!
JOB LOCATION Must work throughout the nursing areas of the facility, May require working irregular hours and may be exposed to communicable diseases and/or body fluids, medical preparations, toxic substances and occasionally ionizing radiation.