Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Housekeeping Aide

A Housekeeping Aide is a professional who plays a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in various establishments such as hotels, hospitals, and residential buildings. They are responsible for ensuring that the surroundings are clean, safe, and comfortable for residents, guests, or patients. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Housekeeping Aides.

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Main Responsibilities of a Housekeeping Aide

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Housekeeping Aide:

Adhere to

Adhere to and implement all facility safety and infection control policies.
Adhere to established company policies and procedures regarding quality assurance, fire, and safety.
Adhere to facilities confidentiality policies & procedures.
Adhere to health and safety regulations and protocols.

Arrange

Arrange furniture and decorative items in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Arrange furniture in an orderly fashion.

Assist in

Assist in cleaning school equipment, furniture, fixtures, and walls.
Assist others inlifting heavy equipment, supplies, etc., as directed or requested.
Assist with laundry tasks including washing, drying, and folding linens.
Assist with putting up and removing seasonal decorations.
Assist with special cleaning projects or events.

Attend

Attend and participates in continuing educational programs.
Attend departmental and staff meetings as directed or called.
Attend in-service education programs.
Attend in-service education sessions, staff meetings, workshops, etc. as required.
Attend mandatory training and departmental meetings.
Attend staff meetings as required to be aware of changes in Residence that have taken place.
Attend to guests' requests for extra supplies or other items.
Attend training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge.

Attentive

Attentive to care and consideration of resident, staff and visitors requests.

Carbolize

Carbolize patient / resident rooms, common areas, and offices.

Carry out

Carry out heavy cleaning tasks and special projects.

Check

Check condition of equipments and work in a safely manner.

Clean

Clean and disinfect bathrooms and fixtures.
Clean and disinfect elevators.
Clean and disinfect resident rooms, washrooms, and common areas.
Clean and disinfect sinks, toilets, urinals and telephones daily.
Clean and sanitize rooms, corridors, lobbies, and other assigned areas.
Clean carpets, toinclude vacuuming, shampooing, deodorizing, and disinfecting.
Clean changing rooms and showers.
Clean, disinfect and polish kitchen and bathroom fixtures and appliances.
Clean, disinfect fixtures.
Clean hallways, stairways, and elevators.
Clean, mop, wax and polish floors.
Clean Resident's apartments and common areas, including furniture, kitchen and washroom.
Clean restrooms and refill dispensers.
Clean and disinfect washrooms.
Clean and replenish supplies in washrooms on a daily basis.
Clean up spills, soiled areas.
Clean windows and spot washes walls per routine task checklist.
Clean vacant rooms as assigned.
Clean walls and ceilings by washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing,etc..
Clean washrooms in every room plus public washrooms on the unit.
Clean, wash, sanitize, and / or polish bathroom and fixtures.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with other team members to ensure efficient operations.

Collect

Collect and dispose of garbage as required.
Collect and dispose of garbage in a safe and sanitary manner.
Collect garbage, cleans and re-lines trash receptacles with plastic liners.
Collect refuse and soiled linen.

Communicate

Communicate with housekeeping personnel and other department personnel.

Complete

Complete duty check list on a daily basis.
Complete janitorial tasks such as, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, cleaning windows and restrooms.
Complete periodic equipment checks.
Complete tasks as assigned on daily duty checklist and returns to Supervisor for review.

Discard

Discard infectious wastes into appropriate containers.

Disinfect

Disinfect operating rooms and other areas.
Disinfect rooms and other areas.

Distribute

Distribute clean towels and toiletries.
Distribute clean linen carts.

Dust

Dust and polish furniture and fixtures.
Dust and wipe furniture in each resident's room.
Dust furniture and equipment.
Dust furniture and equipment.

Empty

Empty and clean all waste containers and transports garbage to designated area.
Empty trash containers and dispose of waste properly.

Ensure

Ensure a safe and clean work environment.
Ensure cleanliness of all windows.
Ensure cleanliness of residents' rooms.
Ensure equipment and work areas are safe.
Ensure privacy of residents during performance and daily duties.
Ensure privacy of residents during performance of duties.
Ensure residents' safety by following established policies and procedures.
Ensure that equipment is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the shift.
Ensure that lounge areas are tidy and clean.
Ensure that water marks are removed from fixtures.
Ensure that work / cleaning schedules are followed as closely as practical.
Ensure the utility closet is maintained tidy.

Follow

Follow established infection control procedures.
Follow established policies and procedures related to safety measures.
Follow established procedures for handling and storing cleaning products.
Follow established procedures when cleaning an isolation room.
Follow housekeeping procedures.
Follow policies and procedures, menus, and work routines.
Follow proper infection control measures.
Follow proper techniques when mixing chemicals, disinfectants and solutions used for cleaning.

Forward

Forward request for equipment repairs to Manager on duty.

Handle

Handle and report lost and found items.
Handle guest or resident inquiries and requests promptly and courteously.
Handle lost and found items in accordance with established policies.

Hang

Hang clothes in closet and places clothes in drawers.

Identify

Identify and reports any hazards or potential safety concerns.

Interact with

Interact with residents and families while carrying out their normal duties.

Keep

Keep Supervisor informed of supply needs.
Keep track of and report any damage or repairs needed.
Keep utility and storage rooms in clean and orderly condition.
Keep utility rooms and store rooms in tidy and sanitary condition.
Keep work area clean and free from unsafe conditions.

Label

Label and remove infectious waste bags and containers.

Maintain

Maintain a clean, safe environment for residents utilizing infection control principles.
Maintain a consistent and open channel of communication with the Program Director and staff on duty.
Maintain a neat and organized work area.
Maintain a positive and professional working relationship with colleagues and supervisors.
Maintain appropriate inventory and completes daily replenishment of unit specific supplies.
Maintain a professional and friendly demeanor with guests or residents.
Maintain a safe environment at all times (e.g. use of wet floor signs).
Maintain cleanliness and a culture of compassion, caring, warmth and support within our hospital.
Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy rights of individuals.
Maintain confidentiality of all resident and personnel information.
Maintain confidentiality of all residents and their health and well being.
Maintain floors with the use of floor polishers, scrubs and when required resurfacing floors.
Maintain knowledge of job functions within the organization.
Maintain personal accountability for completion of monthly audits as assigned.
Maintain professional relationships with the staff, residents, families, and visitors.
Maintain residents' confidentiality.
Maintain the cleanliness of the facility for residents, visitors and staff.
Maintain tools and equipment in good condition, uses supplies economically.
Maintain utility and store rooms in a tidy and sanitary condition.

Make

Make beds and change linens.
Make up beds and changes linen as required.

Monitor

Monitor and report any suspicious activities or security concerns.

Observe

Observe all fire and safety rules and be on alert for the safety of the residents, staff and public.
Observe / practice all health & safety procedures and policies.

Operate

Operate a floor machine to buff dining rooms, bedrooms, lounges, corridors and office areas.
Operate cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners, buffers, and carpet cleaners.
Operate equipment such as vacuums, I-Mop and Tenant floor scrubbers.
Operate housekeeping equipment as required including vacuums, mops, and upholstery cleaners.

Participate

Participate and assist in department studies and projects as directed.

Perform

Perform any other duties as needed.
Perform cleaning duties according to established procedures.
Perform day-to-day housekeeping functions as assigned.
Perform duties according to health and safety guidelines.
Perform isolation cleaning procedures in accordance with established infection control procedures.
Perform outside work such as removal of light snow, sanding and salting as required.
Perform outside work such as snow removal, sanding, and salting as required.
Perform routine inspections to ensure cleanliness standards are met.
Perform specific housekeeping tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.
Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments.

Pick up

Pick up soiled linen and delivers to linen department.
Pick up debris and empty trash containers.
Pick up garbage in dirty linen rooms, all washrooms and nurses stations.

Polish

Polish and maintain all metal surfaces with the appropriate cleaning solutions.

Preform

Preform day-to-day housekeeping functions as assigned.

Prepare

Prepare documentation as required according to residence policy.
Prepare patient discharge rooms as per procedure.
Prepare room for new occupant following prescribed procedures to ensure tour ready at all times.

Provide

Provide all aspects of environmental cleaning in assigned work areas.
Provide assistance to individuals with mobility or accessibility needs.
Provide basic information on facilities.

Put

Put stock and supplies away on delivery as required.

Receive

Receive assignments from Manager.

Remove

Remove all garbage from resident / patient rooms and common areas.
Remove dirt, dust,grease, film, etc., from surfaces using proper cleaning / disinfecting solutions.
Remove trash before setting up next function / meeting.

Replenish

Replenish housekeeping supplies of carts and in closets.
Replenish supplies such as toiletries, towels, and tissues.

Report

Report all accidents / incidents to your Supervisor no matter how minor they may be.
Report all injuries and hazards to the supervisor immediately.
Report any damaged or unusable furniture and fixtures.
Report any maintenance issues or safety hazards.
Report any shortages, equipment concerns or over use of supplies to manager.
Report any unsafe conditions to immediate Supervisor.

Residence

Residence policies and procedures, including safety rules and safe working practices.

Restock

Restock single unit dispensers containing soap, towels, toilet tissue and sanitary napkins.

Set-up

Set-up and breaks down tables, chairs, lecture podiums, etc. according to specifications.

Spend

Spend quality time and build solid relationships with patients and their families.

Spot

Spot cleaning walls, windows and doors between washing.
Spot cleaning walls, windows and doors, dusting, rearranging furniture, removing waste.

Straighten

Straighten and rearrange furnishings as directed.

Strip

Strip, wash and make beds.

Sweep

Sweep, mop and wash floors.
Sweep walkways and outside perimeter of facility.

Toilet

Toilet paper, paper towel, soap, hand sanitizer, etc..

Transport

Transport garbage to designated area and disposes non-infectious waste appropriately.

Treat

Treat residents with kindness, dignity and respect.

Uphold

Uphold the organization's mission and values.

Use

Use cleaning solutions / deodorizers as per established standards and procedures.
Use equipment and tools properly and safely.
Use properly labeled cleaning supplies for each job as instructed.

Utilize

Utilize procedures as trained in compliance with IP&C, WHMIS, Workplace Health & Safety.

Vacuum

Vacuum and mop floors.
Vacuum and clean / shampoo carpeted areas.

Wash

Wash and polish furniture and metal.
Wash beds and mattress and remake beds after discharge of residents.
Wash walls, vents, windows, ceiling and light fixtures using cleaning solutions and equipment.
Wash, iron and press clothing and household linens.
Wash windows, walls and ceilings.

Work

Work in all areas of the facility.
Work in a safe manner which abides by Occupational Health and Safety policies.
Work to keep the building, classrooms and playground in a clean, safe and orderly condition.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Housekeeping Aide:

Knowledge of cleaning techniques and procedures.
Proficiency in using cleaning equipment and tools.
Familiarity with different types of cleaning agents and chemicals.
Ability to operate laundry equipment.
Understanding of safety protocols and practices.
Knowledge of infection control and prevention measures.
Basic understanding of plumbing and electrical systems.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Time management skills to ensure tasks are completed efficiently.
Basic computer skills for logging maintenance requests or generating reports.
Understanding of environmental sustainability practices.
Knowledge of handling and disposing of hazardous materials.
Ability to handle and store cleaning products safely.
Basic understanding of maintenance and repair tasks.
Physical stamina and ability to perform physically demanding tasks.
Attention to detail for achieving high cleanliness standards.
Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively.
Knowledge of proper handling and care of different surfaces and materials.
Understanding of fire safety procedures and evacuation protocols.
Knowledge of relevant regulations and standards in the industry.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Housekeeping Aide:

Attention to detail to ensure thorough cleaning.
Excellent communication skills to interact with guests or residents.
Time management skills for efficient task completion.
Teamwork and collaboration to work effectively with colleagues.
Adaptability and flexibility to handle changing priorities or situations.
Customer service orientation to meet and exceed expectations.
Professionalism and integrity in dealing with sensitive information.
Problem-solving skills to address unexpected challenges.
Self-motivation and initiative to take ownership of tasks.
Empathy and compassion for individuals with special needs or concerns.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Housekeeping Aides play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and order in various establishments. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, from cleaning and sanitizing to providing exceptional service to guests or residents. In addition to technical skills related to cleaning techniques and equipment operation, Housekeeping Aides also require essential soft skills such as attention to detail, effective communication, and adaptability. By possessing both the hard and soft skills necessary for the role, Housekeeping Aides contribute to creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for everyone they serve.