EVS Technician

Job Summary

The environmental services technician level I is responsible for executing the daily duties required to establish and maintain a safe, hygienic and aesthetically pleasing care environment. While executing the assigned tasks, the EVS Tech will have contact with patients, visitors and clinical and non-clinical staff. Contact may include physical, psychological, educational and safety related and should be appropriate to the specific demographics of patients served in assigned service areas. Responsible for ensuring timely room turnovers related to patient throughput within basic principles of environmental hygiene and infection prevention. The environmental services technician, in accordance with organizational standards of quality, is an essential contributor to cleaning, disinfection prevention an patient experience.

Primary Responsibilities 

• Responsible for daily occupied and discharge/transfer cleaning and disinfection of patient care areas, equipment as assigned and other common areas of assignment.
• Performs duties while demonstrating working knowledge of the health care cleaning and disinfecting principles and requirements, proper and safe chemical use, equipment handling and labor-saving products for all items within the healthcare environment for which tasked with servicing.
• Adheres to all organization safety, risk management and infection control guidelines and standards while promoting a culture of safety.
• Actively participates in departmental performance improvement initiatives, including but not limited to initiatives to improve patient experience and cleanliness metrics.
• Maintains cleaning cart(s), supplies and equipment evidence by properly stocking and restocking environmental services cart in a neat and orderly fashion.
• Removes waste and transports to the appropriate disposal area while identifying proper wastes streams handling (i.e., regulated medical, recycle, solid and hazardous).
• Follows all infection prevention practices (i.e., proper cleaning and disinfection protocols and process, hand hygiene, standard & isolation precautions, as well as proper donning and doffing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Recognizes and adheres to patient privacy requirements (HIPPA)

Other Responsibilities 

• Practices critical thinking skills
• Demonstrates personal accountability
• Identify and utilize appropriate resources to ensure identified problems or concerns are followed through and resolved
• Demonstrates knowledge of facility safety requirements.
• Demonstrates the ability to operate and properly maintain all EVS tools and equipment needed to clean and disinfect the environment.
• May be asked to perform specialty tasks according to facility needs including tasks such as conference rooms set up/dismantle according to function sheets and schedules, cleaning of stairwells and elevators and hanging of cubicle curtains etc.
• May be asked to assist with on-boarding of new Level I Technicians.

Education 

• High School Diploma or GED required  
• Valid Driver’s License is preferred.
• CHEST (Certified Healthcare Environmental Service Technician) preferred or must obtain within one year after employment.

Certifications  

Obtain AHE Certified Healthcare Environmental Service Technician (CHEST) certification and keep current while employed at CIHA.

Experience  

6-month previous cleaning experience preferred. Preferably within a healthcare environment.  Position requires 3 to 6 months to become proficient in most phases of the job.

Job Knowledge

Must have a thorough knowledge of the requirements, policies, and guidelines for EVS procedures of IHS, Cherokee Indian Hospital, and applicable OSHA protocol. Must be skilled in the use of mechanical and manual cleaning equipment such as buffer, scrubber, vacuum cleaner, mop, broom, and laundry equipment. Must be familiar with hospital layout. Requires the ability to follow both verbal and written instructions. Must be able to read, write legibly and speak clearly. Must know all related sanitation guidelines and quality assurance requirements. Must know safety procedures.

Mental/Visual/Physical

Close attention to detail is required for some procedures and normal alertness for much of the time. Job duties require extensive physical effort such as walking, reaching, bending, pushing, pulling and lifting up to 60 lbs. and often working in awkward positions. Must have visual acuity, manual dexterity, and be able to speak and hear.

Responsibility for Equipment

Cleans and performs simple upkeep to equipment which should not be damaged if handled properly.

Hazards

Has contact with potential disease or accidents such as falls, back strain, electrical shock, or minor cuts to fingers and hands. Has some contact with biohazard substances and cleaning solutions, which must be handled properly. Following established safety procedures and sanitation guidelines would reduce the risk of injury or disease.

Contact with Others

Interacts with coworkers; medical professionals and the public where tact, courtesy and professional etiquette are required. Must maintain a positive image and working relationship with others. Assist co-workers as needed.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.