Job Description of a Housekeeper

Tap to Read ➤ Madhumita Shivade

Contrary to the regular definition, the job of a housekeeper is not solely limited to the upkeep and maintenance of a regular residence, but other establishments as well (though the job title may change). This elaborates on the job description of a housekeeper.

Housekeeping is of vital importance in our day-to-day life. It is necessary to provide a clean, hygienic, and pleasant environment to any place - an apartment, a private residence, fishing cabins, restaurants, hotels, office buildings, health care institutions, etc.

Besides a clean and beautiful surrounding, other domestic tasks are necessary to be supervised and completed at the right time for the efficient functioning of the place. Of course, cleanliness, for most of the part, is of primary importance, since it influences one's judgments. Maintaining this cleanliness is the job of the housekeeping staff.

Job Profile

To ensure that the place is spic and span - every room, corridor, doors, windows, etc. To prepare and serve meals on time. To take care of the dishes and the laundry.

To supervise junior maids. To take care of every aspect of the maintenance - appropriate home décor, cleanliness, etc. A housekeeper has to ensure smooth functioning of the place she is responsible for.

Duties of a Housekeeper in the Hospital

Every housekeeping department in a hospital is responsible for the overall maintenance of a hospital - cleaning rooms and all the other areas of the hospital are of prime importance., etc.

Sometimes, the staff may also be asked to assist in making calls in case of an emergency. A lot of hygiene and clean sanitary conditions have to be maintained in hospitals to prevent any spread of diseases.

Waste Disposal

Syringes, medicines, and bandages used on a daily basis or any other medicinal waste must be disposed off as soon as possible. The hospital housekeeping department must see to it that the waste containers are emptied before they are overfull.

This includes trash from all areas - the patient's room, waiting rooms, or the waste bins from the corridors. Some of the recyclables have to be disposed as per the rules of the hospital, so a housekeeper should have the knowledge of the procedures and policies if at all there are any.

Cleaning Linens

Every hospital uses linens in bulk, such as bed sheets, scrubs, gowns, pillow covers, curtains, etc. Washing them daily is important for hygienic purposes.

The job of a hospital housekeeper is to gather these linens, wash, iron, fold, and inspect their cleanliness. They are also responsible for replacing torn or faded linens if required.

Cleaning Rooms and Locations

The staff should understand that a patient's room should be clean and disinfected. Housekeepers must provide fresh, clean linens to every room that is under their supervision.

They are also responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of the bathrooms, floors, wards, waiting areas, staff rooms, examination rooms, testing rooms, and most importantly, the operation rooms.

Other surfaces such as doors, windows, floors, walls, have to be cleaned thoroughly as well. They have to disinfect the entire room after a patient has been discharged or shifted to another room to prevent further spreading of illnesses and infections.

Duties of a Housekeeper in a Hotel

Hotels, restaurants, inns, lodges, or resorts - you name them all, and the first good impression of these place you would have in your mind is that of a clean atmosphere. The job duties of a hotel housekeeper vary from one employer to the other.

Cleanliness

The housekeeper should keep the guest rooms clean and tidy. Dusting the furniture, sweeping the rooms, and mopping the floors are the primary responsibilities.

Furthermore, the staff must be adept at making the beds, stocking fresh bed sheets, curtains, linens, and other necessary things in the room.

The rooms should be set up neatly so that it creates a good impression on the customers. Bathrooms, floors, corridors, bathtubs, chairs, tables, windows, etc., should be kept clean and dust-free.

Special tinted as well as color-stained glass windows should be cleaned with special cleaning products and kept devoid of dust and dirty stains. Linens, towels, napkins, bedspreads, etc., should be washed, ironed, folded, and stored neatly.

There should be a well-organized laundry service in the hotel. A hotel housekeeper should be efficient in carrying out his duties in a very neat, quick and effective manner.

Know the Place

If the hotel has amenities like fireplace in the guest rooms, automatic windows, air conditioners, etc., every housekeeping staff should be aware of their working procedure and maintenance so that they can provide timely assistance to clients. He should also know the location of the hotel very well and the surrounding areas to help clients with directions.

Keep Up the Standards

Every hotel has certain set standards. The housekeeper must be aware of these standards regarding cleanliness and maintenance. Maintain the stock and supply rooms and other cleaning services.

Make sure that the customer service you provide is according to the standards set by the hotel and is maintained throughout. Always attend to any queries or inquiries that come up. The most important thing is to provide correct and accurate information to the customers. Don't forget to greet the customers.

The hotel corridors should always be kept very clean. If a customer faces a problem, it is the duty of the housekeeper to attend him/her in a very polite manner and solve the same in the best way possible. He should respect the hotel property and immediately handover any lost and found particulars.

While applying for the job of a housekeeper, search for the best options and forward your resume. Make sure you include all the details that are necessary and have a proper resume format. Best of luck!