Laundry/Housekeeping Aide

The Role

Sorts and washes soiled clothing. Processes clean laundry through dryers and folding machine, and folds, hangs, and distributes laundry throughout Sunnyside Home. Maintains assigned areas of Sunnyside Home in a clean, orderly manner by scrubbing, washing, disinfecting, vacuuming, polishing, and dusting.

Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team to create a caring, person-centred, homelike environment where residents feel listened to and cared about.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Sorts soiled linen and transports to washing machines. Loads washing machines to appropriate levels and programs to appropriate wash cycles. Unloads clean linens and clothing from washing machines and places into carts.
• Loads linen and clothing into dryer. Sets appropriate heat levels and drying times. Unloads linens and clothing when dry, inspects condition for damage and stains, and repairs as required.
• Informs resident care staff when residents' clothing needs replacing. Folds and sorts residents' clothing, towels, bed linens, and other personal items. Hangs, folds, and places clothing onto carts for delivery to appropriate home area, and places items in residents' closets and drawers.
• Counts linens, towels, and other items required for each floor and loads onto delivery carts. Delivers to Home areas using the exchange cart system.
• Fills linen orders for special functions (e.g., birthday parties and recreational events).
• Uses a label machine to make resident identification labels, and attaches to clothing using a hot press.
• Completes individual resident clothing lists, opens resident files upon admission, and continues to update files after admission. Makes changes to files and delivery carts upon transfer or discharge.
• Follows infection control guidelines to handle, separate, and wash contaminated laundry identified in orange and red bags.
• Maintains records of amounts of laundry washed each day according to items washed and machine size used, per wash program where possible. Communicates laundry sorting problems to supervisor or appropriate resident care staff.
• Checks chemical levels and pumps daily and changes chemical containers as necessary.
• Prepares housekeeping cart at the start of each shift (fills buckets with dispensed all-purpose cleaner, checks stock of cleaning supplies) and replenishes as necessary. Cleans and puts away housekeeping cart at end of shift.
• Collects garbage bags from waste containers in washrooms, bedrooms, lounges, utility rooms, and offices. Replaces garbage bags and cleans/sanitizes garbage and recycling containers, as necessary or once a week. Transports recycling items from central collection room to recycling room.
• Cleans and sanitizes washrooms, scrubs sinks and toilets, washes walls and partitions, removes, washes, and rehangs shower curtains, and cleans mirrors. Replenishes toilet paper, paper towels, and soap as required.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Cleans floors by dry mopping daily and damp mopping, disinfecting, waxing, and buffing as necessary. Vacuums and spot cleans stains on carpeted areas, and shampoos as necessary.
• Dusts and polishes furniture, washes windows, window ledges, light fixtures, and walls.
• Sets up areas throughout the home for services, celebrations, and receptions, including arranging furniture and setting up table linen and equipment.
• Cleans resident rooms upon transfer/discharge and for project cleaning. Cleans and sanitizes beds, mattresses, bedside furniture, walls, and other surfaces.
• Keeps work areas tidy and organized. Cleans, sanitizes, and maintains industrial washers, dryers, carts, and other equipment in good working condition (e.g., linen marking machine, vacuum, floor buffer, floor scrubbing machine). Reports safety issues/risks immediately and takes appropriate action.
• Interacts with staff, residents, families, and visitors to respond to general questions, discuss operational needs/logistics, and request supplies or services. Contacts appropriate staff for assistance as needed.
• Keeps knowledge current through in-service training and communications. Demonstrates/explains work procedures to help train volunteers and/or new staff as directed.
• Participates in team meetings and provides input to improve work procedures.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Reading, writing, and math skills normally acquired through a grade 12 education and related experience working in a commercial laundry operation.
• Knowledge of cleaning and infection control procedures, Workplace Hazardous Material Information Systems (WHMIS) regulations and the storage, use, and handling of chemical cleaning agents and hazardous materials, and laundry techniques and procedures.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions in English.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, guidelines, and related legislation (e.g., privacy, health and safety).
• Must have a tuberculosis (TB) test and required immunization(s).
• Ability to work independently and around the activities of staff and residents.
• Ability to demonstrate compassion, validate emotions, support dignity, and promote understanding of those who we serve.
• Communication and interpersonal skills to respond pleasantly and professionally to demands and in interactions with other staff, residents, visitors, and families; demonstrate a customer care/service approach; exchange information with other staff; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to write daily and weekly laundry records, memos, and maintenance work requests. Ability to read and understand policies, procedures and schedules, washing and drying instructions, machine operation manuals, meeting minutes, and safety data sheets.
• Ability to work shifts, weekends, and statutory holidays as scheduled.
• Must provide an acceptable vulnerable sector police check.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.