Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Hospital Custodian

🎯 Role Definition

The Hospital Custodian is the cornerstone of our infection control strategy and patient experience. This role involves executing a comprehensive range of cleaning and sanitation duties in patient care areas, surgical suites, and public spaces, adhering strictly to established health and safety protocols. You will be a visible and essential part of our team, ensuring that every corner of our facility meets rigorous standards of hygiene and supports our commitment to providing exceptional care. This position is crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and ensuring a healing atmosphere for all.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Entry-Level Roles (No Prior Experience Required)
Janitorial or Custodial Roles in other sectors (e.g., schools, offices)
Hotel Housekeeping or Hospitality Staff

Advancement To:

Environmental Services (EVS) Lead or Team Lead
EVS Supervisor / Manager
Floor Care Specialist or other technical specialty
Infection Prevention and Control (with further education and certification)

Lateral Moves:

Patient Transporter
Maintenance Assistant
Supply Chain or Materials Management Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive cleaning and terminal disinfection of patient rooms, nursing stations, restrooms, and clinical areas according to established schedules and procedures.
Execute meticulous terminal cleaning protocols in patient rooms upon discharge or transfer to ensure they are sanitized and prepared for the next admission.
Follow all established infection control procedures and universal precautions, especially when handling potentially infectious materials.
Collect, transport, and properly dispose of general waste, regulated medical waste, biohazardous materials, and soiled linens per hospital policy and OSHA regulations.
Operate and maintain heavy-duty floor care equipment, including automatic scrubbers, high-speed buffers, carpet extractors, and wet/dry vacuums.
Perform detailed floor care, including daily dust and wet mopping, scrubbing, and refinishing hard surface floors, as well as shampooing and extracting carpets.
Diligently clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, bed rails, telephones, and call buttons, to minimize cross-contamination.
Clean and sanitize specialized and critical care areas, such as operating rooms, emergency departments, labor and delivery, and isolation rooms, following specific, stringent protocols.
Perform detailed project work as scheduled by supervisors, such as deep cleaning, wall washing, and stripping and waxing floors.
Ensure all assigned areas are maintained in a safe, secure, and sanitary condition at all times, contributing directly to a positive patient experience and HCAHPS scores.
Adhere strictly to guidelines for mixing and using cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, always wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Respond promptly and professionally to service calls and pages for emergency clean-ups, spills, and other urgent environmental service needs.

Secondary Functions

Restock patient rooms and public restrooms with essential supplies, including paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, and sanitizer.
Observe and report any maintenance issues, safety hazards, broken equipment, or necessary repairs to the EVS Supervisor or Facilities department.
Interact with patients, visitors, and hospital staff in a courteous, professional, and compassionate manner, respecting their privacy and needs.
Document completed tasks and maintain accurate logs and checklists as required by the department for quality assurance.
Participate actively in ongoing departmental training sessions on safety, infection control, new cleaning techniques, and customer service.
Assist in setting up and breaking down furniture and equipment for meetings and special events as directed.
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Assist with bed-making and room turnover to help facilitate efficient patient flow and reduce wait times.
Distribute clean linens and collect soiled laundry bags from designated areas.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Knowledge of hospital-grade cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection techniques.
Proficiency in operating and maintaining commercial floor care machinery (buffers, auto-scrubbers, extractors).
Thorough understanding of infection control principles, universal precautions, and bloodborne pathogen safety.
Competency in the proper handling, labeling, and disposal of biohazardous waste and sharps.
Knowledge of chemical safety, including the ability to read Safety Data Sheets (SDS), properly dilute solutions, and select appropriate products.
Experience with the correct use and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves, gowns, and masks.
Floor care expertise, including stripping, waxing, sealing, and buffing various types of flooring.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to thoroughness.
Strong work ethic, reliability, and an excellent attendance record.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a collaborative team.
Physical stamina and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods.
Excellent time management and organizational skills to complete tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Empathy, compassion, and a professional demeanor when interacting with patients and their families.
Adaptability to changing priorities, urgent requests, and different work environments.
High degree of integrity and respect for patient privacy and confidentiality (HIPAA).

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.
Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions in English.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training in healthcare environmental services.
Certification as a Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Technician (CHEST) is a strong plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Services
Healthcare Support

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years. Entry-level candidates with a strong work ethic are encouraged to apply.

Preferred:

At least 1 year of custodial, janitorial, or housekeeping experience in a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare setting is highly preferred.
Prior experience working in a regulated environment and following strict protocols is advantageous.