Summary This position is located in the Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center's (MC) Environmental Management Service (EMS) Section. This position is under the direct supervision of the Housekeeping Aid Supervisor. Incumbent is responsible for receiving linen carts from contracted linen service provider, fold, and stock shelves in the Laundry room. Ensure adequate laundry stock on linen distribution carts, label patient clothing, and pick up soiled laundry/linin from designated areas. Responsibilities Laundry Workers carry out assignments with minimal supervision. These duties include, but are not limited to the following: Rotates through a variety of work sites in the facility throughout tour of duty to meet workload demands. This may involve, on a rotating basis, assisting in loading soiled linen carts and unloading bulk clean linen carts from the linen truck. Transports bulk clean linen to the sorting and classification area, where incumbent may also be required to sort soiled linen items according to classification procedures. Clean items are stored in a neat and orderly manner. Rotates stored stock to prevent shelf deterioration or the necessity for reprocessing and notify machine operator/shift lead if stock on a particular item is low. When needed folding of laundry items neatly and repetitiously, as well as the ability to move items from washer and dryer as need on occasion. Shakes out articles of wet linen items checking for knots, damage, and stained items before putting them in the dryer. Notifies their supervisor of these items of any soiled or damaged pieces coming through. May fold rough dry items by hand. Works from quotas established for each Medical Center area, incumbent will assemble loads. Specific quantities of standard-use-items will be counted, stacked on turn-around carts, and be delivered to areas needed within the medical center for use. Items will be stacked on carts in a specific order to assure effective utilization of space. Each individual cart or basket will be covered to prevent contamination in transit. Carts will be tagged for proper destination. Assures all bags of specialty items, carts of surgery linens and uniforms are collected. Participate in semi-annual linen inventories and perform other related textile care duties as assigned. Maintains a clean and safe work environment and practices universal precautions in the performance of the duties of the position. Performing the duties in a safe and efficient manner and accomplishes work assignment using appropriate safety and infection control procedures. Responsible for cleanliness of work area and equipment. Performs other duties as directed. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 7:00 am-3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Worker/PD02018A Physical Requirements: Incumbent continuously stands and/or walks on hard surface floors. Will be lifting stacks and bundles of linens constantly, weighing up to 25 pounds. Pushes heavy loaded carts onto trucks on occasion. Incumbent is subject to lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy linen trucks/carts that are delivered from the contracted vendor. The incumbent is also subjected to constant bending, lifting, and standing in the performance of their duties. They need a certain amount of quickness in hand and arm movements to meet production standards. Incumbent is exposed to disagreeable odors and possibly infectious organisms from soiled linens, patient clothing, and employee uniforms, and occasionally when changing laundry detergent/bleach containers required to operate the Industrial washers Is exposed to noise and hot and humid conditions. Incumbent may experience occasional soiling of clothing due to contact with soiled linen. Incumbent may be subjected to inclement weather on or near the loading dock while performing the duties of the position Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety Operation of Equipment/Machinery Reliability And Dependability Technical Practices Without more than normal supervision Work Practices Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Education Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
