Laundry Assistant

I Report To: The Home Environment Coordinator (See also Organizational Chart)

Summary Related to My Work:

I am ultimately responsible to the elders. I work to defeat bureaucracy and ensure that no decision is made without asking the vital question… “What do the elders say?” This is wise leadership because we are working in their home. A wise leader also utilizes the knowledge of the elders and the onsite staff to help build a place where people want to live and work. The Homekeeper models person-directed care and takes an active role in building neighbourhoods and showing the greater community around us that life for the elders in our home is a life worth living.

Required Qualifications:

1. I have or am working toward a Grade XII high school diploma.

2. It is desired that I have at least three years of relevant experience.

3. I demonstrate empathy, concern and interest in providing quality care and service to our Elders.

4. I communicate with well-developed written and verbal communication skills. I can fluently read, write and speak English. My ability to speak another language would be considered an asset.

5. I interrelate well with others and establish positive relationships with elders, their families, other staff members, volunteers and the public.

6. I can adapt quickly in a progressive change-oriented environment.

7. I work independently and can evaluate my own progress and take responsibility to grow in my position.

8. I am interested in learning more about person-directed care.

9. I can manage the associated physical, emotional and psychological demands of the work involved.

My Responsibilities in a Person-Directed Care Environment

1. I review and apply the ten principles of the Eden Alternative™ to my work everyday.

2. I participate in creating an interesting human habitat/neighbourhood for the elders.

3. I recognize the plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom in the elders and work to alleviate them when ever possible.

4. I plan for and provide options that take the elder’s opinions and choices into account.

5. I look for ways for my elders to have continuing contact with animals, children, plants, and myself.

6. I attend neighbourhood meetings to hear what the elders have to say and follow through to address concerns brought to my attention.

7. I work to build others up with constructive criticism so that they can grow.

My Responsibilities Related to Safety and Managing Risk

1. I operate an effective, efficient department involved in Risk Management and Continuous Quality Improvement to provide the highest possible standard of care to the elders and staff.

2. I must perform all work in a safe, budget conscious and efficient manner. I will maintain the building and work area in a clean, orderly, and safe condition keeping waste to a minimum.

3. I am required to follow manufacturer’s instructions and safe work procedures in the operation and use of all equipment and/or chemicals.

4. I will maintain a satisfactory level of health and physical fitness so that injury free and regular attendance at work can be maintained.

5. I perform all food related activities in accordance with prescribed sanitation and food handling techniques.

6. I am required to review, understand, and practice all disaster codes, prevention and related safety measures a minimum of monthly.

7. I review, understand, and practice infection control measures including “routine precautions.”

8. I adhere to all related policies, the Mission Vision and Values, PHIA, PPICA, our Ethics Framework and the Elder Bill of Rights for the building.

9. I report all elder and staff safety concerns to the Home Environment Support Leader or Home Environment Coordinator immediately.

10. I will attend relevant education sessions and conferences as required to ensure that my skills and knowledge are developed and upgraded so that I can work safely.

11. I must provide teaching, mentoring and feedback to all new and visiting care partners.

12. I accurately document and submit all occurrences that have taken place.

Hazards Related to my Work (See Form 2 for Assessment and Control Measures)

Chemical Hazards including:

· exposure to compressed gases including fire extinguishers and oxygen.

· exposure to chemicals

Biological Hazards including:

· exposure to communicable diseases

· exposure to infectious substances

· exposure to blood and body fluids

Physical Hazards including:

· working in areas where noise interferes with conversation

· equipment that generates dust

· working with wet or uneven surfaces

· operating and maintaining equipment like the washer and dryer

· working with sharp instruments like scissors or needles

Working Alone Hazards including:

· going to meetings away from the home

· going shopping for the home

Ergonomic Hazards including:

· Repeated lifting/lower above shoulders

· Pushing a cart with greater than 25 pounds of force

· repeated forward bending

· twisting while pulling or pushing

· lifting or lowering items holding away from body

· rapidly lift and lower greater than 5 pounds

· push or pull statically for more than 1 min

· bending neck to look down

· wrists in bent position/repetitive motions

· working with wet hands

· standing in one place for more than 15 minutes

· repetitive fine motor tasks and repetitive work with wrists

· repeated bending of the neck/torso and neck forward

· sustained reaching with arms extended

· rapid pushing and pulling with arms

Related to my Responsibilities (Actual Day to Day)

1. I include the elders in all daily care of the neighbourhoods in relation to laundry.

2. I collect and deliver laundry from all areas according to schedules.

3. I wash, dry and fold laundry as outlined in the Home Environment Services Manual.

4. I take direction from the elders related to placement of personal laundry in their suite.

5. I perform minor mending and ironing services, as necessary.

6. I strive to ensure that lost clothing items are returned to their rightful owner.

7. I work with the Home Environment Support Leader and Home Environment Coordinator to requisition supplies and linen, as necessary, to maintain an adequate linen inventory level.

8. May be required to perform other duties and functions related to this job descriptions not exceeding above stated skills and capabilities.

I have read and understand my responsibilities as outlined in this document.

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Signature Date