POSITION DESCRIPTION Laundry Assistant The BlueCross Vision A dynamic organisation, BlueCross is supported by a team of great staff, who are willing to challenge traditions. With a long history of embracing change, BlueCross progressive approach in the delivery of care is evident across all of our services. At BlueCross, we believe our staff are our most important resource. Our staff engage with our clients, day in day out, to ensure a superior level of care for everyone. BlueCross has developed the 4 P s which underpin decision making and expected behavior of all staff. They are: 1. People To develop and demonstrate strong leadership, motivation, support and resources, that results in empowered engaged employees 2. Performance To continually deliver to stakeholders a result that is more than what was planned for and expected 3. Principles To work with our values vision and mission and demonstrate these in our decision making and behaviours 4. Passion To have a passion for what we are doing and the ability for staff, residents and partners to spread that feeling throughout the organisation BlueCross also utilises the STARFish principles of: Choose your attitude Be there Make their day Have fun to guide, not what we do, but how we do it. Through dedication to these principles by all staff, we are shaping the culture at BlueCross for how we deliver aged care services to residents and community clients. 1. Position Objective This role is required to ensure that the laundry service at the facility is organised and meets all laundry infection control criteria. This role is required to effectively work with facility management and staff, residents and their families. The laundry service will be recognised as best practice, compliant and meeting infection control requirements and accreditation standards. The duties of the role will be delivered in a manner that: Is in accordance with the values, policies and procedures of BlueCross Australia Is consistent with The BlueCross STARFish Principles of choosing your attitude, making people s day, being there and engaging and having fun at work. Ensures quality of the cleaning service Delivers and if possible exceeds customer expectations Ensures a safe working and living environment Is always striving to improve the quality of service provided Position Description Laundry Assistant Page 1 of 7 Reviewed: November 2013
Focuses on ageing well and delivers a service that strives to maintain and enhance the residents health and well-being, capabilities, independence, choice, privacy, dignity and safety Reflects current knowledge and best practice in health/aged care laundry service delivery 2. Organisational Relationships Reports To: Direct Reports: Key Relationships: Residence Manager There are no direct reports to this position Facility staff members Contract suppliers Maintenance staff OH&S Representative Residents and their families 3. Essential Qualifications / Experience / Skills Required: Essential Is organised and can effectively manage responsibilities and own priorities and assist others in this Ability to work independently whilst understanding accountabilities, and the importance of consultation Consultative approach with residents staff and other stakeholders Supports a client centred approach Ability to work effectively as a team member Ability to manage emergency situations Ability to manage a range of competing priorities at the same time Presents professionally, as appropriate for the occasion. Ability to identify, resolve and manage problems and resolve conflict situations effectively Desirable Traineeship Cert 111 or 1V Laundry Operations Residential aged care or hospital experience Position Description Laundry Assistant Page 2 of 7 Reviewed: November 2013
4. Key Areas of Responsibility 4.3 Laundry Service Supports the Facility Manager in effectively managing the facility laundry service ensuring all clothing and or linen is handled accordingly Ensure adequate stocks of supplies at all times Collects, sorts, washes, dries, sorts and distributes clothing/linen as per BlueCross instructions Undertakes daily cleaning tasks as per schedules, ensuring that the laundry is a safe environment at all times Completes sign off record forms for each shift, showing what cleaning tasks have been completed and document any carry over issues Utilise and implement strategies as directed by BlueCross and external chemical company to maintain infection control in the workplace Report any maintenance, supplies or resident related issues so they can be followed up promptly (Lost clothing or unnamed items) Maintains adequate stocks of clean empty linen bags at all times Soaks heavily soiled items to maintain a high standard of service Ensures chemicals are available for each wash Ensures the correct wash cycle is used for all loads For example; delicates or whites Ensures clothing not suitable to be dried in the dryer is dried appropriately Resident satisfaction survey results Accreditation and compliance reviews and results Complaint management External and internal audits 4.4 Occupational Health and Safety Support the facility Manager in ensuring that the operation of the laundry is in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety legislation and to promote safe work practices for staff, residents and visitors Follow workplace procedures for accident/incident and investigation reports Contribute to the facility management of Occupational Health and Safety through appropriate reporting of hazards, issues or concerns Ensure appropriate protective clothing and footwear is worn whilst in the workplace Ensure the facility remains clean, tidy and safe by actively monitoring work areas Ensure the appropriate chemicals are used safely and in accordance with MSDS and using protective equipment as required Ensure familiarity with the defined emergency and safety procedures within the facility Ensure the clean and dirty areas of the laundry are adhered to Position Description Laundry Assistant Page 3 of 7 Reviewed: November 2013
Ensure all soiled clothing/linen is handled with appropriate gloves and is not sorted on the floor Ensure all soiled clothing/linen is stored off the floor and all linen bags are not overfilled Does not drag or carry soiled linen/clothing next to the body Utilises trolleys for transporting clothing/linen throughout the facility Number and type of accidents and incidents Number and type of reported hazards External audit/inspection reports (WorkSafe, local council) 4.5 Staff Support and Team Work Assist and support the facility manager in fostering a positive workplace culture where staff feel engaged, empowered, supported and are encouraged to think and act creatively in supporting residents, families and all other staff. Assist and support the facility Manager in creating a fun work environment in the facility where staff enjoy coming to work and bring a sense of happiness with them Orientate and train new staff to the laundry if requested by the facility manager (Buddy system) To work collaboratively with all staff at the facility, seeing the laundry department as an integral part of the team To participate in on site activities, events and meetings to learn more about other parts of the facility and to build relationships with other staff Feedback from staff Feedback from staff, residents and visitors 4.6 Resident & Relative Relationships Proactively interact with residents and families to build relationships, seek feedback and have personal contact with the people you are providing a service for Undertake work in a manner that respects the privacy, dignity and freedom of choice of residents at all times Resident satisfaction survey reports Feedback from staff, residents and visitors 4.7 Continuous Improvement and Self Development Actively maintain professional skills and keep up to date in current industry practices being laundry and aged care To actively review and improve systems and processes within the laundry service to make it more efficient and effective Position Description Laundry Assistant Page 4 of 7 Reviewed: November 2013
Attend mandatory training which includes Fire and Emergency, Infection Control, Manual Handling and Safe Chemical Handling Attend staff meetings Participate in company meetings, reviews, training, special projects and/or activities as requested Work performance Meeting and training attendance records 4.8 Finance Ensure that the budgeted roster is adhered to Budget reports 4.9 Quality Management Abide by all BlueCross Australia quality management systems relevant to the department. Support the facility Manager in the development of facility continuous improvement plans, monitoring and reporting on progress External auditing results Internal auditing results Participation and commitment to BlueCross Continuous Improvement Plan Position Description Laundry Assistant Page 5 of 7 Reviewed: November 2013
5. Occupational Health & Safety Maintain a safe working environment in your area of responsibility. Ensure that OH&S principles and guidelines are adhered to. Report any breach in OH&S. Document any hazard and make suggestions / recommendations for improvements. Report accidents and injuries and near misses as per BlueCross Policy and Guidelines. Provide and maintain so far as is practicable a working environment that is safe and without risk to health. Take care of your own health and safety and the health and safety of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at the workplace. Understand responsibilities and accountabilities to yourself and others in accordance with OH&S legislation and BlueCross policies and promote a working environment that is congruent with these guidelines. Position Description Laundry Assistant Page 6 of 7 Reviewed: November 2013
6. BlueCross Expectations of Staff Behaviour All staff play a key role in shaping and influencing workplace culture. This requires a consistent approach and commitment to the following: I will.. Treat everybody with respect and dignity and value people for who they are their unique contribution, irrespective of role or level in the organisation. Accept that I have a key role in representing the team / service to the broader organisation and for positively promoting the organisation to the team or in any external environment. Be clear and open about decision-making processes, wherever possible providing opportunities for others to be involved in decisions that affect their work. Give new ideas from others a fair hearing and proper consideration. Promote and role model an open, inclusive and collaborative approach. Take a proactive approach to workplace health, safety and staff wellbeing. Participate in staff learning and development and recognise the value of ongoing professional and personal development for myself. Actively encourage feedback from others about how I am going as a team member. Role model positive behaviours at all times and ensure that I choose my attitude when I come to work. Always behave ethically and with integrity. Be engaged and have fun at work. Signatures: I have read, understand and accept the above position description Staff Member: Date: / / Manager: Date: / / Position Description Laundry Assistant Page 7 of 7 Reviewed: November 2013