This position is located within the Environmental Management Services Division of a VA Medical Center. This position is under the direct supervision of the Housekeeping Supervisor or designee. This position performs both janitorial and custodial services at the LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of a variety of special cleaning and sanitizing solutions to remove different kinds of stains from a variety of surfaces. Ability to operate, adjust, and clean heavy power cleaning equipment: and to use common cleaning tools and lightweight cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners, buffers, and floor scrubbers
• Knowledge of infection control and hazardous waste procedures in addition to proper sequences of tasks to remove soiled and contaminated textiles, needle boxes, and body fluid spills. Needs to understand the process of handling biohazardous waste
• Knowledge of standard infection prevention practices and protective items (e.g., hand washing, protective gloves, coveralls, facemasks and shields and respirators, gowns, head and foot coverings)
• Performs a full range of deep cleaning duties and special cleaning tasks in accordance with established housekeeping and aseptic techniques. Mental concentration is necessary to plan, schedule and accomplish work on own initiative. Deviation from routine schedules is frequent to prevent interruption of the patient care activities
• Possesses good interpersonal skills (cheerful, congenial, and caring) due to working in close proximity to patients
• Ability to read and write and do simple math to accurately record the waste and laundry handling process
• Ability to identify the different types of medical, non-medical, biohazardous, hazardous, and normal hazardous wastes to carry out his/her duties.

EXPERIENCE

A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards .

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT

Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note:

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

PHYSICAL EFFORT

The position demands continuous walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, pulling, and pushing. The work requires the occasional use of heavy powered cleaning equipment (e.g., wall washers, industrial type buffers) weighing over 50 pounds. The duties necessitate considerable dexterity, hand, foot, and eye coordination, and concentration as well as visual acuity to see dirt, dust and debris.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed indoors with adequate heat, light, and ventilation. Some work may be performed outdoors where there may be exposed to varying degrees of heat and cold as well as inclement weather. PPE may be required in some circumstance as exposure to possible contagious diseases, blood and bloody secretion are inherent to this position. Care is required to avoid serious injuries (i.e., broken bones) when working on ladders, or when using 30-100-pound power equipment or handling hazardous materials.