Ethan Rhodes
Hospital janitors, also known as hospital custodians, environmental services technicians, or EVS technicians, are responsible for performing sanitation and maintenance duties in hospitals or medical care buildings. While the specific duties of a hospital janitor may vary depending on the hospital, the role generally entails cleaning and disinfecting various areas of the hospital, including patient rooms, waiting rooms, restrooms, surgical areas, offices, and other public spaces. In addition to ensuring that these areas remain sterile and sanitary, hospital janitors may also be tasked with light groundskeeping work and reporting any mechanical or technical issues to the facility crew. The job typically requires good communication and time management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow instructions and work well with others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Qualifications | A high school diploma or GED certificate is preferred. Some hospitals may require a background check. |
| Skills | Good communication, time management, attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and physical stamina. |
| Experience | Prior cleaning or maintenance experience is beneficial. |
| Certifications | While not always required, certifications in medical cleaning or janitorial services can improve career opportunities and demonstrate knowledge of disinfection and medical waste disposal. |
| Duties | Cleaning and maintaining public spaces, patient rooms, surgical areas, offices, lounges, and waiting areas. May also include light groundskeeping work and reporting any technical or mechanical issues. |
| Training | On-the-job training is typically provided by the hospital, which may last several days or weeks. |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning and sanitising
Areas to Clean and Sanitise
Hospital janitors are tasked with cleaning and disinfecting various areas of a hospital, including:
- Patient rooms
- Waiting rooms
- Restrooms
- Surgical areas
- Administrative offices
- Nursing stations
- Lounges
- Cafeterias
- Hallways
Cleaning Procedures and Techniques
To prevent contamination, hospital janitors must follow stringent guidelines and practices when cleaning equipment, objects, and spaces. This includes using proper cleaning methods, equipment, and chemicals. For example, patient rooms are often cleaned using a designated multi-step method, such as the seven-step method of cleaning.
Infection Control and Waste Management
In addition to cleaning and sanitising, hospital janitors play a crucial role in infection control and medical waste disposal. They must be familiar with infection-control policies and procedures to maintain a sterile environment. This includes the proper disposal of medical waste, which requires specific knowledge and training.
Physical Demands
The role of a hospital janitor can be physically demanding, requiring stamina and strength. Janitors may need to push, pull, or drag equipment such as hospital beds and lift items weighing up to a certain weight (e.g., 50 lbs).
On-the-Job Training
Most hospitals provide on-the-job training for new cleaners and EVS technicians. This training is supervised and can last from several days to weeks, teaching new hires about cleaning procedures and hospital policies.
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Infection control
To achieve effective infection control, hospital janitors must adhere to stringent guidelines and practices. This involves utilizing proper cleaning methods, equipment, and chemicals suitable for the hospital environment. For example, using disinfectant solutions, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and following established protocols for handling medical waste.
In addition to routine cleaning duties, hospital janitors play a crucial role in supporting the medical facility's infection control policies. This may include participating in specialized training, implementing universal precautions, and staying up-to-date with the latest infection control practices. They may also be responsible for identifying and reporting potential hazards or risks that could contribute to the spread of infections.
Furthermore, hospital janitors often work closely with medical staff to ensure that surgical areas, operating rooms, and medical equipment are properly disinfected and sterilized according to industry standards. This collaboration is essential to maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors, and healthcare providers.
By prioritizing infection control, hospital janitors contribute significantly to the overall safety and well-being of everyone in the hospital. Their attention to detail, use of appropriate cleaning techniques, and adherence to established protocols help create a clean and sanitary environment that minimizes the risk of infections spreading within the hospital setting.
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Groundskeeping
While the primary role of a hospital janitor is to perform sanitation and maintenance duties, they may also be required to perform light groundskeeping work. This could include tasks such as shovelling snow, mowing lawns, and watering gardens or trees.
Hospital janitors are responsible for maintaining the hospital's grounds and ensuring they are clean, safe, and well-maintained. This involves regularly inspecting the grounds for any litter, debris, or hazards and removing or addressing them promptly. Janitors may also be tasked with raking leaves, trimming hedges or bushes, and pulling weeds to ensure the hospital's grounds are neat and tidy. In addition, they may be required to perform basic landscaping tasks, such as planting flowers or shrubs, with the guidance of a landscape architect.
Janitors also play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the hospital's grounds by identifying and reporting any potential hazards, such as broken pavement, fallen branches, or accumulated ice and snow, which could pose a risk to patients, visitors, and staff. They may also be responsible for setting up and taking down seasonal decorations and ensuring that the grounds are well-lit and secure.
In regions with snowy winters, hospital janitors are tasked with shovelling snow and applying salt or sand to walkways and parking lots to prevent slips and falls. They may also be responsible for clearing ice and snow from emergency exits and fire escapes to ensure they remain accessible. During periods of heavy snowfall, janitors may need to work extended hours to keep the hospital's grounds safe and accessible.
In addition to snow removal, hospital janitors may be responsible for power-washing walkways and parking lots to remove built-up dirt, grease, or stains. They may also need to perform minor repairs, such as filling potholes or cracks in the pavement, to maintain the grounds' appearance and safety.
Tools and Equipment
Hospital janitors typically use a variety of tools and equipment for groundskeeping tasks, including rakes, shovels, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, and gardening tools. They may also use power washers, snow blowers, and spreaders for applying salt or fertiliser. Janitors should be familiar with operating and maintaining this equipment safely and efficiently.
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Qualifications and training
While there are few formal qualifications necessary to become a hospital janitor, a high school diploma or GED certificate is desirable. Taking shop or similar classes in high school can also be beneficial. Most janitors complete on-the-job training, which can last several days or weeks, depending on the hospital. During this time, new hires work under the supervision of a manager or experienced cleaner, who teaches them cleaning procedures and discusses hospital policies.
Several professional associations offer voluntary certifications, which may improve career opportunities. Two organisations that offer medical cleaning certifications are the Association for the Healthcare Environment and the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association. A certification in medical cleaning can show employers that you can clean and disinfect clinical areas, operating rooms, and medical equipment according to industry standards. Some certifications also demonstrate proficiency in disposing of medical waste and adhering to infection-control policies.
Valuable skills for the profession include good communication and time management abilities, attention to detail, and mechanical aptitude. Some hospitals require janitors to pass a background check and be at least 18 years of age. Additionally, 1+ years of janitorial experience in a healthcare setting or a Janitorial Services certification is preferred by some employers.
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Tools and equipment
The tools and equipment used by hospital janitors vary depending on the specific tasks they are performing. Here is a detailed list of the tools and equipment commonly used by hospital janitors:
Cleaning Tools and Equipment:
- Mops: Hospital janitors use mops to clean floors in various areas of the hospital, including patient rooms, hallways, and bathrooms.
- Vacuums: Vacuums are essential for cleaning carpets and rugs in public areas, lounges, and offices.
- Carpet Steamers: Carpet steamers are used to deep clean carpets and remove stains, ensuring a high level of hygiene.
- Floor Buffers: These machines are used to polish and buff hard floor surfaces, making them shiny and easy to maintain.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Gloves: Janitors wear gloves to protect their hands and prevent the spread of germs and infections.
- Masks: Face masks, especially respirator masks, are crucial for protecting against airborne particles and maintaining a sterile environment.
- Gowns or Aprons: Protective gowns or aprons are worn to prevent the contamination of clothing and protect against splashes or spills.
- Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shields protect the eyes from chemicals and infectious agents.
Waste Management Equipment:
- Waste Bins: Hospital janitors use specific waste bins for different types of waste, including general waste, recyclable materials, and medical waste.
- Liners and Bags: Different coloured liners and bags are used for various waste streams to facilitate proper waste segregation and disposal.
- Sharps Containers: These are used for the safe disposal of needles, syringes, and other sharp medical instruments.
Other Equipment:
- Trolleys: Janitors use trolleys to transport cleaning supplies and equipment from one area to another efficiently.
- Hospital Beds: In some cases, janitors may need to move or adjust hospital beds, requiring knowledge of their operation.
- Grounds Keeping Equipment: If performing light groundskeeping duties, they may use shovels, rakes, lawnmowers, or gardening tools.
Hospital janitors are responsible for using these tools and equipment properly and maintaining them in good condition to ensure effective cleaning, sanitation, and waste management in healthcare facilities.
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Frequently asked questions
There are few formal qualifications necessary to become a hospital janitor. A high school diploma is helpful but not always required. Taking shop or similar classes in high school can be useful. Most janitors complete on-the-job training. However, earning a certification in medical cleaning can help distinguish you from other candidates.
A hospital janitor performs sanitation and maintenance duties at a hospital or medical care building. They clean and disinfect various areas, including patient rooms, waiting rooms, restrooms, surgical areas, offices, and other public spaces. They also ensure these areas remain sterile and sanitary for patients, visitors, and medical staff. Some hospital janitors also perform light groundskeeping work.
Valuable skills for hospital janitors include good communication and time management abilities, attention to detail, and mechanical aptitude. Physical stamina and teamwork skills are also important, as well as the ability to follow instructions and work well with others.
