JOB TITLE: ROOM SERVICE ATTENDANT
DEPARTMENT: NURSING
SUPERVISOR: DIRECTOR OF NURSING
WORK AREA: Friendship Court Assisted Living
SALARY CLASSIFICATION: HOURLY
General Description: Function as an extension to the nursing assistants during their care of the residents. Complete non-hands on services to residents in their room and throughout the facility.
DUTIES:
- Make/open beds, change linen as needed (on bath day and as needed).
- Re-stock personal care supplies daily. (wash basin, soap, powder, lotion, pads, toothpaste, toothbrush, brush and comb)
- Prepare/remove personal care items used for resident care. (wash basin, soap, powder, lotion, pads, toothpaste, toothbrush, brush and comb)
- Distribute personal care supplies to resident rooms in preparation for care delivered by nursing personnel. (gowns, towels, underpads, linen, denture cups)
- Transport residents to/from activities or other appointments within the facility.
- Maintain room order by picking up clothes, cleaning bedside stands, closet supply baskets, wastebaskets.
- Answer lights when possible and report to nursing staff any needs the resident may have that the Room Service Attendant cannot meet.
- Keep resident equipment clean and well maintained. Document cleaning completed.
- Document resident appetites as assigned.
- Clean wheelchairs as assigned.
- Duties as assigned.
- Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Compliance policies as defined in the new employee orientation information.
Safety Policies:
- Check for instruments, pins, needles, and other sharp articles. They are never left in the bed, or in linen being sent to the laundry.
- When transporting residents in wheelchairs, precaution should be taken:
- Inform resident before beginning to push, and push slowly.
- Always use added care when approaching corridor intersections.
- Keep loose clothing from getting caught in the wheelchair spokes.
- Coffee for residents is cooled down to prevent burns. Resident's coffee hour is supervised.
- Beds are kept in low position to avoid resident falls.
- The van is equipped with safety equipment for wheelchairs, etc.
- Keep residents away from fire doors to avoid injury if they suddenly shut.
Safety Policies:
1. Use good body mechanics when lifting.
2. All nursing department staff is offered paid inservice in Body Mechanics each
year. Seven basic steps to follow in any type of lifting procedure:
A. Use your thigh muscles.
B. Keep spine straight.
C. Divide weight between two hands.
D. Firm natural footing.
E. Get as close to the object as possible .
F. Squat or bend knees, then straighten.
G. Bring weight up against your body.
3. Protruding cranks on foot of bed should be turned in, not left to hurt
legs or cause someone to trip.
4. Use care in placing electric fans and other electrical appliances so
that they will not be tripped over or tipped.
5. Avoid walking on wet floors because of the danger of slipping.
6. The dress code is for safety and sanitation.
7. All injuries are reported. Special precautions for accidents such as
needle sticks or puncture wounds are outlined in the procedure manual.
(Do not see a physician for work related injuries unless approved by
supervisor, personnel director, and/or administrator.)
8. Because of the possibility of serious injury, no horseplay is allowed.
9. Except for emergencies, running is hall is not allowed. Keep to the
right.
Safety Policies:
Report any unsafe condition immediately. Maintenance is on call whenever not in the building.
Know emergency procedures for tornadoes and fire.
Know the location of fire extinguishers and how to use them.
Know the fire-reporting system.
Handwashing is stressed. Examples: When they are soiled. After using the toilet. Before and after coming in contact with a resident. Before handling food or a tray. Before and after eating. After combing hair. After using a handkerchief or tissue.
Infection Control, including isolation techniques, prevents spread of infectious disease. Dirty linen is kept away from the uniform.
All blood and body fluid is handled as though it may be infectious. Gloves are worn when handling body fluids or hazardous chemicals.
Other protective equipment (gown, goggles, masks) are available if splashing is likely.
Oxygen precautions:
- Cylinders are kept in one room with the door shut.
- Cylinder is firmly placed on cart which cannot be tipped over easily.
- Legible "NO SMOKING" signs are on tank and on outside door.
- No electrical appliances such as heating pads are used in connection with oxygen.
- No rubbing alcohol or any substance that will ignite readily should be used while oxygen is being administered.
- Electrical plugs should not be disconnected from wall sockets after O'2 is started, since it may cause sparking.
- Anyone seeing foreign matter on floors should mop it up or pick it up.
- Report all defective or broken equipment to the proper person.
- Smoking in authorized areas only. If a resident must smoke in his/her room, a nursing attendant is present for the entire time and maintains close watch.
These are minimal safety rules and do not cover all the possible safety issues which may arise. Consult with charge nurse whenever safety is an issue.
Responsibility:
Is responsible for all equipment used in the course of room service duties.
Working Conditions:
Room Service functions 7 days per week.
Personnel Specifications:
1. In-house orientation with education coordinator.
2. Interest in older people.
3. Ability to work harmoniously co-workers.
4. High standards of personal hygiene.
5. Good physical and mental health, emotional stability, and maturity.
Physical Requirements:
1. Ability in an 8 hour period to walk for 3 hours, stand for 3 hours, and sit for 2 hours.
2. Ability to frequently bend/stoop, squat, crouch, kneel, and push/pull.
3. Ability to occasionally reach above shoulder level.
4. Ability to occasionally carry up to 15 pounds.
5. Ability to frequently lift up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift up to
20 pounds.
St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center is an equal opportunity provider and employer