Environmentalist I

Overview

The Environmentalist I is charged with maintaining exceptional cleanliness standards in assigned patient units and areas of the hospital, providing a positive first impression through meticulous cleaning and upkeep. This role involves daily cleaning of patient rooms, public spaces, and ancillary areas using approved chemicals and equipment according to prescribed schedules and safety procedures. The Environmentalist also plays a part in ensuring patient satisfaction by adhering to quality standards and responding promptly to operational needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the patient unit's appearance is immaculate, including high dusting, spot mopping corridors, cleaning baseboards and handrails, polishing stainless steel, and reporting maintenance issues promptly.
• Perform comprehensive cleaning of patient rooms daily, including changing trash liners, mopping floors, disinfecting surfaces, dusting at various heights, and attending restrooms.
• Clean vacated patient rooms swiftly and thoroughly, ensuring all surfaces are dusted and disinfected, beds made, dry erase boards cleaned, ceramic fixtures scrubbed, room supplies replenished, sharps boxes emptied, and essential items like Patient Guide and Gideon Bible are present.
• Respond quickly to requests for cleaning dirty beds, facilitating patient flow by utilizing bed tracking software effectively when working in clinical areas.
• Replenish supplies thoughtfully across patient and public areas, employing discretion to prevent waste.
• Complete morning cleaning routines in clinical units, including common areas such as restrooms, lobbies, nurses’ stations, break rooms, and regular vacuuming of carpets.
• Follow strict safety protocols in cleaning isolation rooms as defined by the Infection Control Department.
• Maintain ancillary spaces by dust mopping, wet mopping, trash removal, and dusting all surfaces; ensure offices are cleaned and dusted if free of personal and paper clutter.
• Participate in daily shift meetings, bi-monthly supervisory meetings, and monthly departmental meetings to stay informed about departmental updates and hospital strategies.
• Report unsafe conditions and maintenance needs promptly to supervisors or facilities management to promote a safe hospital environment.
• Deliver excellent customer service when interacting with patients, visitors, and staff, recognizing the impact on patient satisfaction metrics.
• Be flexible to work in different hospital areas based on departmental needs as directed by supervisory staff.

Requirements

• No formal education or prior experience is required for this position.
• Candidates must possess adequate vision for near and distance tasks, effective verbal communication skills, and physical ability to perform manual tasks such as lifting (25-60 lbs.), bending, squatting, reaching, and handling equipment with appropriate body mechanics.
• Must tolerate noisy, busy environments, cope with noxious odors, manage stress calmly, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously with good organizational skills and prioritization capabilities.
• If applicable, pass specialized cardiac recovery tests per job classification.

Working Conditions

The role demands physical exertion and mental alertness in often loud and active environments, requiring the ability to move swiftly between tasks and locations within the hospital.

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay range between $18.85 and $28.30 per hour based on qualifications and experience.
• Eligible for premium pay such as shift differentials and incentive pay where applicable.
• Annual performance-based salary increases.
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, adoption assistance, parental leave, retirement plans with employer match, and educational assistance.
• Benefit eligibility may vary depending on employee status.

Additional Information

This position is full-time with a standard Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week schedule. The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as assigned to meet departmental needs. The employer is a leading nonprofit integrated health system committed to innovation, equity, and community benefit.