Laundry Aide

SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, but according to established policies and procedures, performs the duties listed below.
Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Distribution:

• Assembles racks of clean linen.
• Distributes clean linen to area clinics using linen baskets.
• Takes orders for linen from personnel on units and by phone.
• Picks up soiled linen from various hospital clinics using linen baskets.
• Linen Sorting:
• Using universal precautions (personal protective equipment), sorts linen into like categories for eventual washing.

Linen Folding:

• Visually inspects all clean linen for any imperfections, then folds and places in proper racks in preparation for delivery.
• Separates missed re-wash linen. Folds and places in exchange carts for delivery.
• Folds Pediatric patient linen and places in exchange carts for delivery.
• Folds patient gowns, towels, isolation gowns, and under pads using automatic folding machine.

Surgical Linen:

• Sorts linen and carefully inspects each piece for stains, tears, or any other damage.
• Patches small holes with patching machine. Refers others to sewing room for repair or condemns piece if beyond repair.
• Folds each piece of linen in a precise way and stocks shelves.
• Assembles various types of kits and surgical packs with precise numbers of surgical linen in each kit or pack.
• Takes order for linen from personnel on units and by phone.

Linen Assembly:

• Takes orders via the phone.
• Assembles exchange carts with linen for units requiring specific number and kinds of linen.
• Performs linen return and re-assembly calculations in order to accurately prep user area carts for next delivery.
• Bags washed clothes and fitted sheets going to user areas.

Ironing:

• Feeds linen into mechanical spreader, which prepares sheets to be fed into the ironer.
• Works in a team of four and rotates positions on the ironer.
• Switches ironer key pad function in order to process flat sheets, draw sheets, pillow cases, cubicle curtains and bath blankets.
• Stands at the cross folding machine, receiving folded items as they come off the ironer. Counts items and assembles carts with accurate par.
• Visually inspects items while feeding and folding. Separates those that are stained, torn, or damaged.

Sewing:

• Makes, mends and repairs such items as drapes, specialty sheets, collars and slings.
• Makes alterations for proper fit of uniforms.

Uniform Room:

• Issues uniforms to hospital employees, assuring correct size and fit.
• Prepares name tapes or other identification markers, as appropriate.
• Keeps records of uniforms issued to employees.
• Feeds lab coats and uniforms into the steam tunnel machine.
• Sorts linen items being ragged out and keeps a count by piece and type of items being removed from the system.
• Pins hems, sleeves, etc. in preparation for alterations.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

• Ability to follow precise instructions for folding, and counting correct number of pieces.
• Knowledge of clothes and materials when working the sewing area.
• Ability to read and write English.
• Clerical and numerical ability to maintain simple records, count inventory and take orders from linen by telephone.

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of one year sewing experience is required (sewing room only).

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Physical ability to lift loads of wet or dry linen, push/pull linen racks and bins of soiled linen and lift bundles.
• Physical ability to visually inspect materials.
• Physical ability to feed folding equipment and sewing machines.
• Physical ability to use brooms, etc. to maintain work area in a clean and safe fashion.
• Exposure to unpleasant odors from solid linens, lint and heat.
• Walking, standing, lifting (heavy &light loads), bending, and carrying/pushing.
• Exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures in the work area and noise from the machines.
• Standing on safety ladders to reach uniforms and assemble linen carts.
• Walking, lifting (heavy &light) bending, carrying and pushing.
• Chance of burns and other injury while working with equipment and machines.
• Chance of injury is minimized with adherence to current safety precautions.

Pay Range: 

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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Driving Required:

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