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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 29, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

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

Northwestern Medicine · Chicago, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 28, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How would you orient a new housekeeping assistant?

What they are checking: The posting names assisting the supervisor in orienting new housekeeping assistants.

Twenty-four hours a week, three in the afternoon to half past eleven, every other weekend and every holiday. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states the hours, the weekends and the holidays plainly.

This is a union role at a set hourly rate with a shift differential. Any questions about that?

What they are checking: The posting states the union grading, the rate and that it is non-negotiable.

What would you do

Why does how a patient room is cleaned matter to the patient's outcome?

What they are checking: Environmental services is infection control, and whether they see that is the question.

How do you work around a patient who is in the room and unwell?

What they are checking: Housekeepers work in occupied rooms, and dignity and interruption are real.

This is a floater position. How do you work across different areas in a shift?

What they are checking: The posting names it as a floater position on FL 01.

A patient or visitor asks you for something outside your job. What do you do?

What they are checking: Housekeepers are often the most approachable person in the room.

About the work

Tell me about cleaning in a hospital rather than an office.

What they are checking: The posting names general and heavy cleaning in offices, patient rooms and clinical areas.

Walk me through cleaning a room after a patient has been discharged.

What they are checking: The terminal clean is the most consequential thing this role does.

How do you handle a spill of something that could be infectious?

What they are checking: The posting names general and heavy cleaning duties, and this is where protection matters.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

• Hours: 24 hours per week • Evening Schedule: 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM (Works Every Other Weekend and Works Every Holiday) • Location: Feinberg/Galter; FL 01 (Floater Position) • Union Hourly Compensation: $21.65 per hour (+ $0.97/hour for shift pay differential) (non-negotiable). 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. Required : • Ability to understand oral instructions Preferred: • High School diploma or GED equivalent • One to two years of experience 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.