Housekeeping Assistant Specialist I - Support Services Environmental, Part-time, Days

Northwestern Medicine; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Housekeeping Assistant Specialist I to join our Environmental Services team. This 20-hour-per-week role operates on a weekend/holiday schedule at the Prentice/Olson floater location, with a union hourly rate of $21.65 and non-exempt status for overtime eligibility.

The position supports cleaning in operating rooms, patient rooms, offices and public areas, following hospital safety guidelines under the supervision of Environmental Services.

Qualifications

• One to two years of experience
• Ability to understand oral instructions

Responsibilities

• Vacuums carpeted surfaces, damp mops hard surface floors.
• Assists the supervisor in orientating new housekeeping assistants to the department.
• Performs general and heavy cleaning duties in offices, patient rooms, clean and soiled utility rooms, laboratories, public areas, and stairways.
• Cleans window sills, empties ash trays and waste baskets.
• Cleans blood and body fluids.
• Clean arranges furniture in patient’s rooms, baths, offices, waiting and other public areas as assigned.

Skills

Experience

Oral communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

• Total Hours: 20 hours per week
• Days Schedule: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Works Every Weekend and Works Holidays)
• Location: Prentice; FL BS (Floater Position in Prentice/Olson)
• Union Hourly Compensation (non-negotiable): $21.65 per hour. The role is graded as a non-exempt position meaning you are eligible for overtime.
• Benefits Eligible Role: New employees are eligible for benefits to begin on the first of the month following their starting date. Our 2026 Benefits Summary is attached for your reference.

The Housekeeping Assistant Specialist I reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Housekeeping Assistant Specialist I, under the direction of the supervisor of Environmental Services, assists the supervisor in the orientation of new departmental personnel assigned to insure completeness. This position performs general and heavy cleaning of operating rooms, public areas offices and patient rooms.

Responsibilities

• Vacuums carpeted surfaces, damp mops hard surface floors.
• Assists the supervisor in orientating new housekeeping assistants to the department.
• Performs general and heavy cleaning duties in offices, patient rooms, clean and soiled utility rooms, laboratories, public areas, and stairways such as washing floors, walls, furniture, bed etc., with the appropriate hospital approved chemicals. Use ladders and scaffolds as necessary.
• Cleans window sills, empties ash trays and waste baskets.
• Cleans blood and body fluids.
• Clean arranges furniture in patient’s rooms, baths, offices, waiting and other public areas as assigned.
• Cleans bath tubs, sinks, mirrors, toilets and replaces supplies as required.
• While generally assigned to a specific area, may be dispatched to other areas as needs dictate.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Refinish floors, applying appropriate surface coatings.
• Operates electrical and battery operated machines for scrubbing, shampooing and burnishing.
• Moves furniture as directed and assists in freight moving.
• Washes walls, blinds, lights and similar surface areas and hangs drapes.
• Maintains and cleans equipment. Upon completion returns equipment to assigned location (i.e. equipment storeroom, Janitor’s closet). Keeps janitor’s closet and storage area neat and orderly.
• Performs all heavy duty mopping and cleaning.
• Cleans washes, polishes and scrubs floor using electric scrubbing machine, wet vacuum and/or buffer.
• Applies floor finish as directed.
• Empties trash chutes and cleans waste containers.
• Advises supervisor of unsanitary, unsafe or otherwise unsatisfactory conditions and defective or damaged fixtures, furniture or equipment.
• Collects trash and debris in rooms, halls and stairways.
• Removes and compacts general waste and recycling materials. Upon completion of compacting, returns the blade to an in position.
• Properly disposes of Bio-hazardous waste.
• Moves all heavy furniture and equipment.
• Cleans rolling stock furniture, hospital equipment and related items.
• Strips, refinishes and/or shampoos all types of floor surfaces and coverings.
• Transports hospital property from area to area or building to building.
• Properly utilize the Bed Tracking system:
  • Log into the computer at the start of the shift.
  • Upon commencement of the cleaning process move the "dirty bed", "clean next" bed, or a "stat bed" into the "In Progress" category.
  • Once completed move the bed into the "Bed Ready" category.
  • Log out at the end of the shift.
• Strips unit upon discharge, terminally clean patient room and prepares for admission. This includes the use of a tent card and a toilet seat strip.
• Perform all in between case cleaning in the OR’s, terminally clean all OR’s and clean all LDR’s after each delivery.
• Return all keys and pagers.

AA/EOE.

Qualifications

Required:

• One to two years of experience
• Ability to understand oral instructions

Preferred

• High School diploma or GED equivalent

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position)

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.