FT 2nd Shift Laundry Aide en LAPEER COUNTY MEDICAL CARE FACILITY

Description

Major Duties and Responsibilities

All department team members need to be able to do all the tasks that are assigned in the laundry room. There are eight (8) identifiable tasks in laundry, and several cleaning tasks to include the clean linen area and the dirty linen area. This description does not exclude any other duties that may be addressed in the laundry department.

1. SORTING SOILED LINEN: Staff members will be required to sort all the dirty linen that comes down to the laundry department. There will be approximately 16 carts per shift with approximately 16 bags per cart that will require sorting. Each bag will weigh up to 35lbs. Staff will lift the bag, tear it open, empty its contents into the sorting bin, and then sort the soiled linen into individual linen buckets. This is a repetitive task that requires approximately 30 to 40 lifts to sort soiled linens after it has been emptied into the sorting bucket. Carts range from a depth of 5” to 32” inches depending on the weight of the items in the cart and the position of the spring shelf. The average depth is 17” with a normal load. Once sorting is done staff will then roll the loaded cart onto the laundry scale for weight measurement. Carts can weigh as much as 330 lbs.
2. LOADING/UNLOADING WASHERS AND DRYERS: Staff will be required to load/unload washers and load/unload dryers.  The front-loading washers require approximately 30 bending and lifting motions ranging from 7” to 37” above the floor. A 25lb push/pull force is required to move buckets and a 28” extension of reach. Staff will have to be able to use the equivalent of 40lbs. of pulling force to remove wet laundry from the washers.
3. IRONING: Staff will be required to iron residents’ personal clothing, and all other items that are deemed necessary, in the laundry department. Staff will use a handheld, 2lb iron on a 35” high ironing board. This task is done every day for an average of 20-30 minutes.
4. FOLDING: Staff will be required to fold laundry for approximately 40%-60% of their shift. Staff will unload linen from a dryer (32” high) to a bucket (7” to 37” high) to a table (35” high). Staff will be required to stand for the entire shift. Staff are provided anti-fatigue mats. Staff will have to use extensive bimanual handling from 5” to 32” of height while bending over to access items within buckets.
5. TRANSFER OF PROCESSED LAUNDRY TO STORAGE CARTS: Staff will be required to transfer folded linen to the linen storage carts that are kept in the multipurpose room. The linen carts are either brought to the area where folding is taking place or staff may use transfer carts. The push/pull force is set at max of 30lbs. The distance to the storage area is approximately 40 ft. The storage cart is from 5” to 65” top shelf and could be as high as 365 lbs. fully loaded.
6. TRANSFER OF PROCESSED LAUNDRY TO RESIDENIAL AND HALLWAY LINEN CLOSETS:  Staff will be required to deliver linen to all the linen closets on each hall on both the 1^st and 2^nd floors, to the spa areas, and to the closets/wardrobes within each resident’s room. Staff will also deliver linen to the Restorative Department, and Beauty Shop. Standard PVC carts are used for resident clothing. Carts have handle heights ranging from 42”- 53” and require approximately 25 lbs. of force to push/pull when fully loaded. The weight of a standard linen cart is around 142 lbs. Staff will be required to walk approximately over 500’ with a personal linen cart starting at full weight while delivering to resident closets. Staff will be required to walk approximately 500’, twice daily with a linen cart starting at full weight while delivering to hallway closets and spas.
7. RECEIVING TEXTILES: Staff members will be required to move new linen from delivery pallets (height of 6 inches) to a cart (13-16 inches high) within the soiled linen room so that the linen can be washed for use within the facility. This task is performed at least one time weekly and requires up to a 25lb push/pull force.
8. REPAIRING AND SEWING CLOTHES: This task will be determined daily, as needed, and may require several hours per day of labor. This task is performed by specific staff that know how to sew. Not all laundry staff will be assigned to this task. Staff will also be required to use the assisted tabletop labeler which involves 50 inches of pulling distance to bring down the handle.

All laundry staff will be trained and assessed in these tasks, except tasks 7 & 8, and be subject to annual performance reviews. Schedules may change and work assignments may be added to without prior notice.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

1. High School graduate preferred
2. Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language
3. Must be able to follow written and oral directions
4. Must be trustworthy and possess tolerance for all individuals
5. Must be able to communicate with other departments
6. Must be able to meet the physical and mental demands of the position
7. Must be able to work with little or no supervision

Physical Requirements/Risk Exposure

1. Position requires daily heavy lifting, pushing, pulling and moving a variety of things
2. Position requires standing and doing repetitive motion for 3-5 hours per 8-hour shift
3. Must be able to lift 35-50 lbs.
4. Position requires being able to push laundry carts that weigh up to 365 lbs.
5. Tasks assigned to this position involve potential and/or direct exposure to blood or body fluids