Tessa Quinn
Hospital cleaning jobs are in high demand, with many hospitals seeking reliable and detail-oriented individuals to join their environmental services teams. These positions play a crucial role in maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary environment for patients, staff, and visitors. While some hospitals prefer prior experience or a high school education, others provide on-the-job training and offer immediate starts. Hospital cleaning jobs typically involve a range of duties, from cleaning patient rooms and restrooms to disposing of medical waste and ensuring infection control. To apply, candidates can search for open positions in their area, prepare a resume highlighting their qualifications and experience, and apply online or through job-search websites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | A high school diploma is required. |
| Experience | Previous cleaning or maintenance experience is preferred. |
| Certifications | A medical cleaning certification is desirable. |
| Skills | Knowledge of cleaning procedures, infection control, and medical waste disposal. Physical stamina and teamwork skills are also important. |
| Duties | Cleaning and disinfecting various areas of the hospital, including patient rooms, restrooms, common areas, and medical equipment. Ensuring a safe and sanitary environment by following health and safety protocols. |
| Job Search Websites | Indeed, ZipRecruiter |
| Salary | $11-$38 per hour |
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What You'll Learn
- Know the duties: cleaning patient rooms, bathrooms, equipment, etc
- Requirements: High school education, prior cleaning experience, certifications
- Prepare your resume: Include education, experience, and certifications
- Find jobs: Research hospitals, use job-search websites
- Apply: Include relevant keywords in your application
Know the duties: cleaning patient rooms, bathrooms, equipment, etc
Hospital cleaners are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Their duties include cleaning patient rooms, bathrooms, and equipment, as well as disposing of waste. Here are some specific tasks and procedures that hospital cleaners typically perform:
Patient Rooms:
- Clean all surfaces, starting with high-up surfaces to avoid making lower surfaces dirty again.
- Mop the floor using a systematic approach, moving from cleaner to dirtier areas.
- Change bed linens and address any spills or contamination from blood or body fluids immediately.
- Communicate with patients and staff to ensure a safe and hygienic environment.
Bathrooms:
- Sanitize and restock bathrooms with fresh towels and other supplies.
- Clean mirrors using specific sprays to achieve a streak-free finish.
- Follow health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of infections.
Equipment:
- Sanitize medical equipment, following specific instructions for different types of equipment.
- Ensure that all equipment is safe to use and free from contamination.
- Collaborate with clinical staff to delineate responsibilities for cleaning and disinfecting equipment.
Hospital cleaners play a vital role in ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Their attention to detail and knowledge of cleaning products and procedures are crucial to uphold hygiene standards and create a positive hospital experience.
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Requirements: High school education, prior cleaning experience, certifications
A high school education is a good starting point for any career, and it can be helpful when applying for hospital cleaning jobs. While some prior cleaning experience is often preferred or required, it is possible to get a hospital cleaning job with just a high school education and no prior experience. You can increase your chances of getting hired by obtaining relevant certifications and showcasing your experience and skills through your resume.
Prior cleaning experience is often advantageous when applying for hospital cleaning jobs. Some positions may require a minimum number of years of experience, such as 2-5 years in hospital housekeeping leadership. However, other positions may only strongly prefer, but not require, previous experience in a hospital or healthcare setting. If you have prior experience in any type of cleaning or housekeeping role, even in a non-hospital setting, this can still be valuable and worth highlighting on your resume.
Certifications can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your credibility and knowledge to potential employers. The International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association (IJCSA) offers various certification courses, including the IJCSA Residential Cleaning Specialist Certification, Medical Cleaning Certification, and Bloodborne Pathogen Certification. The Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) offers the Cleaning Professional 101 certification, which covers topics such as the importance of cleaning, health impacts, and safety procedures. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also provides the Safety & Health Fundamentals Certificate for individuals seeking to understand workplace safety practices.
To get started in your job search, you can check with your high school guidance office staff for job listings, advice, and potential internship opportunities. Indeed.com is another great resource with thousands of job listings, and you can also try stopping by local businesses to inquire about any openings. Networking is essential, so be sure to tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job, as many positions are not advertised. You can gain valuable experience by working for friends, neighbors, or local businesses, and these connections may even lead to references or job offers.
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Prepare your resume: Include education, experience, and certifications
A resume is a concise summary of your skills, qualifications, and work experience. When applying for hospital cleaning jobs, it's important to tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the requirements of the position. Here are some tips to help you prepare a strong resume:
Education:
Although formal education requirements for hospital cleaning positions are typically minimal, often a high school diploma or GED is sufficient, you should still include your educational background. List your highest level of education completed, such as the name of your degree or diploma, the institution where you obtained it, and the year of completion. If you have any certifications or specialized training in cleaning or sanitation, be sure to mention them as well.
Experience:
When listing your work experience, focus on roles that are relevant to hospital cleaning. This could include previous cleaning or housekeeping positions, especially in healthcare settings. Describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in each role, emphasizing any tasks related to sanitation, infection control, or adherence to health and safety protocols. If you have experience handling cleaning equipment, supplies, or chemicals, be sure to mention that as well.
For example, you could describe your experience as follows: "Maintained sanitation and safety in a healthcare environment, executing comprehensive cleaning protocols, and ensuring compliance with health regulations."
Certifications:
In addition to any educational degrees or diplomas, be sure to list any relevant certifications you may have obtained. This could include certifications in areas such as infection control, hazardous waste management, or even general workplace safety. If you have completed any specialized training programs or workshops related to cleaning or sanitation, include those as well. These certifications and training programs demonstrate your commitment to professional development and your expertise in the field.
Here's an example of how you could list a certification: "Certified Infection Control Specialist – ABC Certification Board, Year of Certification."
Remember to keep your resume concise, clear, and focused on the most relevant information. Emphasize your experience in cleaning, sanitation, and healthcare settings, and highlight any skills or certifications that align with the requirements of the hospital cleaning position you are applying for.
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Find jobs: Research hospitals, use job-search websites
Finding Hospital Cleaning Jobs
Hospital cleaning jobs are often advertised online on job-search websites. These websites allow you to search for jobs in your area, and you can filter your search by industry, such as healthcare or cleaning services. Some job-search websites include:
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- RWJBarnabas Health Careers
These websites provide information about the job role, duties, and requirements, as well as details on how to apply.
Job Roles and Duties
Hospital cleaning jobs may have different titles, such as Environmental Attendant, Environmental Services Attendant, Housekeeper, or Housekeeping Supervisor. These roles typically involve maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation of hospitals, including patient rooms, hallways, offices, and public areas. Duties may include:
- Emptying trash and disposing of waste
- Dusting, vacuuming, and mopping
- Cleaning furniture, fixtures, and windows
- Operating cleaning equipment
- Following health and safety procedures
- Ensuring compliance with hospital standards
Location-Specific Jobs
Hospital cleaning jobs are available in various locations. For example, in Washington, DC, you can find jobs at hospitals such as Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center and Children's National Hospital. In New York, NY, there are opportunities at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center and other healthcare facilities. In New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health in Jersey City and Newark offers housekeeping jobs, providing care for millions of patients annually.
Online Applications
Many hospital cleaning jobs allow for online applications, where you can submit your resume and cover letter through their website. Some positions may require additional steps, such as forwarding your application to a specific address or completing an online training course.
By utilizing job-search websites and researching hospitals in your desired location, you can find and apply for hospital cleaning jobs that match your skills and interests.
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Apply: Include relevant keywords in your application
When applying for hospital cleaning jobs, it is important to tailor your application to the job description. Review the job description carefully and identify the keywords and required skills and qualifications. Then, include these keywords in your application, highlighting how your skills and experience match the requirements.
For example, if the job description mentions "infection control" and "medical waste disposal", ensure that your application includes these terms and provides examples of your relevant experience. This could include previous cleaning or maintenance work, or even volunteer work in a hospital setting, which demonstrates your familiarity with hospital operations and the importance of maintaining a sanitary environment.
In addition to highlighting your relevant experience, it is beneficial to mention any certifications you have earned, especially those specific to medical cleaning. Certifications demonstrate your knowledge of industry standards and can set you apart from other candidates. For instance, you could mention a certification in medical cleaning, which showcases your proficiency in disinfecting clinical areas, operating rooms, and medical equipment.
When describing your skills, it is also essential to use keywords that emphasize your attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. For instance, in your application, you could mention your ability to "follow stringent guidelines" or "adhere to best practices" to ensure a safe and sanitary environment. Additionally, if you have experience with specific cleaning equipment, products, or supplies, be sure to include those details in your application.
By incorporating relevant keywords and highlighting your skills, experience, and certifications, you can create a strong application that showcases your suitability for the hospital cleaning role. Remember to review your application thoroughly before submitting to ensure it is well-written and tailored to the specific requirements of the job you are applying for.
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Frequently asked questions
While some hospitals require prior experience in cleaning or maintenance, others have no educational or experience requirements. However, earning a certification in medical cleaning can help distinguish you from other candidates and demonstrate your knowledge of industry standards.
Hospital cleaners are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals, including cleaning and disinfecting patient rooms, restrooms, surgical areas, offices, and other spaces. They also handle medical waste disposal and follow strict health and safety protocols to prevent infections.
Hospital cleaning jobs can vary in terms of working hours, with some offering full-time or part-time schedules. Salaries for hospital cleaning positions typically range from $11 to $38 per hour, depending on the location and specific role.
You can search for hospital cleaning jobs in your area by using online job-search websites. You can also research specific hospitals that may have open positions and apply directly through their websites. Networking and leveraging professional connections can also help in finding these opportunities.
Your resume should highlight your highest level of education, any prior cleaning or maintenance experience, and any relevant certifications. Review job descriptions to identify the required skills and responsibilities, and use similar keywords in your resume to ensure it aligns with the employer's expectations and passes their applicant tracking system.
