Assistant Director of Maintenance/Plant

Job Description

Department:    Environmental Services

Reports to:      Director of Maintenance

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Maintenance assists with the responsibility and accountability to maintain the physical plant and essential mechanical electrical and resident care equipment in safe operating condition in conformance with company standards and state and federal regulation. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Maintenance Director supervises the Maintenance Workers/Assistants, Stationary Engineers and/or Boiler Operators.

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizational policies and applicable laws.
• Supervisory responsibilities include:

o   Trains employees.

o   Assists with planning, assigning and directing work.

o   Prepares work assignment sheets.

o   Receives calls and finds replacements for absent staff.

o   Contributes to performance evaluations with the understanding that such evaluations impact tenure of probationary employees and wage increases of non-probationary employees. 

o   Monitors and corrects job performance of employees.

o    Recommends discipline of employees up to and including discharge. 

o   Adequately supervises assigned staff and assures that those staff are supervising employees assigned to them.

• Uses independent judgment and discretion on behalf of the organization in the performance of these duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience:

·       High school diploma or equivalent preferred. 

·       Minimum of three (3) years physical plant and equipment experience in an institutional environment with supervisory or management responsibilities.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Certification in HVAC, plumbing, electrical preferred

Minimum Qualifications:

·       Working knowledge of personal computer and software applications used in job functions, (word processing, graphics, databases, spreadsheets, etc.)

·       Strong organizational and analytical skills; oral and written communication skills.

·       Working knowledge and ability to apply professional standards of practice in job situations.

·       Current knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations that apply to practice of physical plant and equipment maintenance in long-term care.

·       Freedom from use of and effects of use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

• Meets state and federal criminal background check requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key function satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key functions.

• Demonstrate competence in application of mechanical and technical concepts to facility plant repair and maintenance projects.

• Able to maintain all essential mechanical, electrical and patient care equipment in safe operating condition.
• Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of basic math to perform essential functions.
• Technical knowledge and analytic ability to diagnose and repair equipment malfunctions. 
• Able to apply building and safety codes to facility situations and maintenance procedures and to establish criteria to assure that services provided meet acceptable standards of quality.
• Manage departmental budget, ordering supplies and tracking inventory.
• Current knowledge of state and federal laws, codes and regulations that apply to maintenance services and records of long-term care.  Able to assure compliance with regulations as they relate to maintenance department and life safety code.
• Maintains confidentiality of resident and facility information in all interactions.
• Demonstrates honesty and integrity at all times in the care and use of resident and facility property.
• Knowledge of emergency and disaster procedures of facility.
• Sufficient mobility, and strength to move freely through the building, to assure resident safety at all times and to assist, transfer or otherwise move residents of facility out of danger in case of emergency.
• Working knowledge and ability to comply with facility policies and procedures for workplace safety, including infection control procedures, application of universal precautions for blood borne pathogens, use of personal protective equipment and handling of hazardous materials.
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize tasks/responsibilities and complete duties/projects within allotted time.
• Able to respond to change productively and to handle additional tasks/projects as assigned.  Able to respond to needs of facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Collects, reviews, maintenance requisitions from all units and departments of facility.
•  Reviews information, establishes priorities, assigns staff or inspects, replaces, repairs or otherwise resolves the problem.
• Assists with establishing and conducting scheduled maintenance throughout physical plant and for all equipment.
• Maintains and tests the emergency power system to ensure availability of power to all entrances, exits, fire detection alarms and extinguishing equipment and life support systems in the event of electrical supplies are interrupted.
• Maintains all essential equipment (e.g., boiler room equipment, nursing unit/medication room refrigerators, kitchen refrigerator/freezer, laundry equipment) in safe operating condition.
• Tests facility hot water system on regular basis to evaluate water temperatures in essential locations of facility.  Monitors for the acceptable range of temperatures and immediately starts repairs to eliminate hazards for facility residents, staff and others.
• Inspects, tests, and maintains resident call system to ensure a functioning communication system from rooms, toilets and bathing facilities.
• Inspects physical plant for signs of rodents or pests.  In cooperation with the Housekeeping Department, implements effective pest control system to eliminate any rodents and pests.
• Maintains adequate and comfortable lighting levels, appropriate for tasks, without glare.  Lighting supports independent functioning and task performance of residents.
• Maintains facility ventilation system to provide good air movement with acceptable temperature, humidity and odor levels.  Ventilation system eliminates drafts and provides adequate smoke exhaust.
• Responds to emergency maintenance needs promptly.
• Cooperates, with other departments to identify and accommodate individual resident need and preferences.  Maintains furniture and equipment appropriate to individual’s needs and abilities.
• Assists with performing quality assurance functions, including compliance rounds, on daily basis to evaluate compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, and facility policies and procedures.  Initiates other corrective actions as appropriate.
• Develops new and updated maintenance policies and procedures.
• Assists with completion of documentation and record keeping of maintenance activities.  Audits records of maintenance staff for accuracy, completeness.  Implements approaches to improve department record keeping practices.
• Collaborates with consultants with timely responses to request for information and suggestions to improve quality of maintenance services.
• Monitors staff for compliance with OSHA mandates on workplace safety including hazard communication and blood borne pathogens.  In cases of workplace exposure, provides immediate first-aide and refers employee to appropriate facility staff member for post-exposure follow-up.
• Participates in the development of the departmental budget.  Provides relevant financial information to Administrator regarding department financial needs and status.
• Actively participates with Maintenance Director in the long term care survey process by instructing staff in matters of conduct and disclosure, maintaining a presence at all times surveyors are on-site and directing the timely collection of information required by the survey team.  Demonstrates concern for identified problems and undertakes corrective action while survey is in progress if appropriate.  Gathers and presents supplemental documentation to avoid potential deficiencies.  Collaborates with Administrator to develop responses to survey report as needed.
• Maintains current skills and knowledge through continuing education.  Applies information to job responsibilities.

·       Interprets Company policy and makes decisions based on the application of those policies where applicable.

·       Exercise unimpaired judgment in the interest of the Company.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must be able to speak and write in the English language in an understandable manner.  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond quickly to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define and solve problems, collects data, establish facts and draws valid conclusions. Ability to understand a variety of technical instructions in statistical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.  Ability to identify processes for improvement in daily work; educate new staff in team process.

LEADERSHIP

Demonstrates willingness to try new tasks, generates new ideas for change; evaluates and recognizes priorities, selects effective team members, challenges others to learn, keeps current and integrates new information, communicates and models organization values, fosters high performance, recognizes need for and provides adequate resources.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

 Demonstrates active listening techniques; gains support through effective relationships; treats other with dignity and respect; seeks feedback; sets clear standards for performance; evaluates job performance and provides effective feedback; establishes systems to measure effectiveness, efficiency, and service; creates and maintains reporting mechanisms.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Attends in-service and education programs and attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure.

RESIDENT RIGHTS

Promotes and protects residents’ rights; assists residents to make informed decisions; treats residents with dignity and respect; protects residents’ personal belongings; reports suspected abuse or neglect; avoids the need for physical restraints in accordance with current professional standards; supports independent expression, choice and decision-making consistent with applicable law and regulation.

INFECTION CONTROL

Applies hand washing principles during daily work; demonstrates understanding of isolation and standard precautions; recognizes signs and symptoms of infection and complies with the employee health program; demonstrates understanding of the process for identifying and handling infectious waste; maintains personal hygiene; complies with OSHA standards in the work place; and demonstrates understanding of cross-contamination.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as statistical process control tools and budgets.   Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Computer knowledge and use is required. Enters or records data timely and accurately, protects confidentiality of patient information, protects data against loss or destruction, logs onto the system using own password, logs off the system when leaving the work station, reports suspected violation of security/confidentiality issues, review data and identifies trends and deletes passwords of employees no longer needing access to software programs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to blood or other body fluids, fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ENVIRONMENT OF CARE

Demonstrates understanding of fire and emergency procedures; participates in fire and disaster drills; maintains emergency supplies and equipment; demonstrates understanding of safety and security procedures; applies safety and security precautions; demonstrates understanding of hazardous materials plan; demonstrates proper use of equipment.

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE

Report issues affecting resident care to the Administrator.  If issues continue, the Corporate Compliance Officer should be contacted immediately through the Concern Resolution Program.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here representative those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk.  The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  Occasional physical effort with light to medium objects.  Occasional required to lift objects up to 100 or greater.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.