Housekeeper - Shevington Ward

Job overview

We wish to appoint a housekeeper to join Shevington Ward within the Division of Medicine, who has a 'can-do' approach, enthusiasm, high standards and understands the importance of a clean, well organised, equipped clinical area.

If you wish to be considered for the position available please click apply now to complete an application form. Throughout the application form, and particularly in the supporting information, please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria on the person specification.

Candidates will be required to present original certificates for qualifications at interview stage.

PLEASE NOTE - this vacancy may close earlier than the specified closing date if a high volume of suitable applications are received.

Main duties of the job

The Housekeeper works as part of the Departmental Team responsible for the co-ordination of all the patient facilities in the ward area to ensure a clean, safe and comfortable environment is maintained as determined by the Department Manager.

They will ensure cleaning, catering, linen and minor maintenance standards meet the individual patient’s needs. They will need to report promptly to the person in charge of the department any deficiencies so that appropriate action can be taken.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key results from the job holder

Cleaning Task/Duties

• Assists in monitoring and maintaining cleaning standards on the ward ensuring general and specialist equipment are cleaned as policy
• Ensure the ward is safe and tidy at all times by dealing swiftly with spillages and removing clutter. Checking that notices/boards are tidy and that signage meets the required standard.
• Maintain the upkeep of patients’ bed areas ensuring specialist cleaning of surfaces, furnishings and isolation nursing areas are cleaned appropriately.
• Ensure the areas where food and beverages are served are clean and pleasant
• Respect the privacy and dignity of patients whilst carrying out household duties and also maintaining the safety of patients property and belongings.

Patient Task/Duties

• Assist the patients to order food ensuring special requirements are taken into account so that dietary needs are met.
• Ensure that patients are given hand-washing facilities before serving food and beverages to them.
• Prepare and serve hot and cold drinks and food as requested co-ordinating extra requirements that may arise to offer a 24-hour snack service.
• Serve meals in conjunction with the Nursing Team ensuring patients intake is known and checking all food and beverages are served at the correct temperature according to food hygiene regulations.
• Ensure patients have any assistance they require to eat and drink monitoring intake and reporting to the Ward Nurse.
• Ensure patients whose fluid intake is not medically restricted have access to fresh water.
• Ensure the ward kitchen is clean at all times, checking refrigerated food is labelled and shelved as policy.
• Wash equipment/utensils used in preparation and serving of food and beverages.

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Evaluate the monitoring of the service delivery especially related to cleaning, food, linen and the environment at the agreed frequency informing the Ward Manager of outcomes so that action plans can be taken if needed.
• Liaise with Estates and Works Departments in respect of all maintenance issues.
• Plan the transport and disposal of clinical, domestic and confidential waste as per policy.
• Check the ward has sufficient stock to meet the patients and staff needs.
• Complete daily checking of equipment and returning of equipment no longer in use for reprocessing or storing safely in the correct place following decontamination, logging any defects.
• Maintain a cleaning and checking programme of all beds and mattresses in line with the policy.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• To communicate effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure safe and high-quality care is provided to all patients
• Maintain effective working relationships with ward colleagues particularly those highlighted within the organisational chart above.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Adhere to Trust Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
• Ensure compliance with Mandatory training requirements in accordance with Trust Policy

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsibility for Teaching

• Attend mandatory training as directed by Trust