Hospital Housekeeper: Job Description and Education Requirements
Hospital housekeepers are responsible for sustaining a sterile environment in all areas of the hospital by cleaning rooms, making beds, replenishing linens and maintaining floors. On-the-job training is available.
Hospital Housekeeper Job Description
Hospital housekeepers routinely clean patient rooms, nursing units, surgical areas, administrative offices, laboratory areas, waiting areas and public restrooms, as well as launder all hospital linen. Using various cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, housekeepers wipe equipment, clean furniture, polish floors and vacuum carpets. They make beds, empty trash and restock medical supplies. Housekeepers also collect dirty laundry from all patient areas and distribute the clean linen and hospital gowns back to the appropriate floors. Using cleaning supplies and equipment are an essential part of the position, which is why housekeepers take a daily inventory as well as inspect their equipment for any repairs or replacements.
Occasionally, hospital housekeepers attend in-service training. Such meetings can include updates on company policies, new equipment demonstrations and discussion of complaints made by patients or hospital staff in regards to housekeeping. They also ensure that proper infection-control policies are being followed.
Education Requirements for Hospital Housekeepers
Entry-level housekeeping positions usually require only a high school diploma, basic math skills and the ability to follow instructions. Most employers provide on-the-job training, which includes effective cleaning techniques, choosing the correct cleaning agents, operating vacuums and floor buffers, repairing minor electrical and plumbing problems, adhering to health and safety regulations and demonstrating good customer service skills. Hospital housekeepers require neither state licensure nor certification to gain employment.
Advancement and Certification Opportunities
Experienced hospital housekeepers can be promoted to housekeeping managers, also known as executive housekeepers. Some employers require managers to obtain certification before filling the position. The International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) awards the Certified Executive Housekeeper (CEH) credential to managers with a high school diploma. They also offer the Registered Executive Housekeeper (REH) credential to managers who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Both credentials are earned by completing IEHA courses and passing exams. Those who pass must renew their certifications every three years either by examination or by completing a specified amount of continuing education units (www.ieha.org).
Related to Hospital Housekeeper: Job Description and Education Requirements
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
Doctorate in Hospital Administration: Info for PHD Students
A doctorate program in hospital administration provides a research and academic background for medical professionals...
Bachelor's in Hospital Management: Program Overviews
Hospital management refers to the organization, planning and maintenance of hospitals, hospital networks and various...
Hospital Patient Registration Specialist: Diploma Program Overview
Workers who want to become hospital patient registration specialists often enroll in diploma programs that train...
Hospital Administrator: Learn How to Start a Career in Hospital Administration and Hospital Management
Hospital administrators, sometimes referred to as directors, oversee the business operations of a hospital. These...
Hospital Case Management Certification and Certificate Program Info
- Associates Degree in Hospital Business Management
- Online Hospital Management Degrees and Courses
- Online Hospital Administration Degree Program Summaries
- Top Public Administration Degree Programs - Jacksonville, FL
- Top School with a Culinary Arts Degree - Santa Monica, CA
- Top School for a Degree in Psychology - Arlington, VA
- Top Ranked Graphic Design and Multimedia Arts School - Dallas, TX
- Graduate Programs in Hospital Administration: Degree Options
- Bachelor's Degree in Hospital Administration: Program Information
- Top Healthcare Administration Degrees - Phoenix, AZ
- Top Public Administration Master's Program - Phoenix, AZ
- Top School for Earning a Degree in Information Technology - Fort Wayne, IN
4 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
-
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Ohio (2 campuses)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
-
Bachelor
-
- Bachelor in Construction
-
- Bachelor in Construction Management
-
-
Associate
-
- Associate in Construction Technology
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Non-Degree
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
-
Non-Degree
-
- Certificate in Property Management
-
Other Schools:
-
School locations:
- North Dakota (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at North Dakota State University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
- Construction Mgmt, General
- Facilities Management
- Construction Management and Trades
Other Related Schools:
-
School locations:
- Iowa (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
-
School locations:
- Rhode Island (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at New England Institute of Technology include:
-
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
- Plumbing Technology
- Electrical Repair and Maintenance
- Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
- Construction Management and Trades
-
School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
-
School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Northern Arizona University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
- Construction Mgmt, General
- Construction Management and Trades
-
School locations:
- Washington (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Washington include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Construction Management and Trades
- Construction Mgmt, General
- Construction Management and Trades
