Housekeeper Band 3

Job details

• Branch: Belfast HSCT
• Location: MATER HOSPITAL
• Directorate: Unscheduled & Acute Care
• Salary: Band 3 (£24,937 - £26,598)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 21/08/26
• Closes: Fri, 04 September 2026 @ 4:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

We accept online applications only. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Housekeeper

LOCATION: Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Emergency Department

BAND: Band 3

REPORTS TO: Sister / Charge Nurse

RESPONSIBLE TO: Lead Nurse

Job Summary / Main Purpose

The post holder will work as an integral part of the Emergency Care team and will carry out housekeeping and store keeping duties to facilitate the day to day organisation of the unit.

The post holder will work under the direction of the Sister/ Charge Nurse.

The post holder will be responsible for the daily receipt, inspection and documentation of stock received and the storage of goods in an efficient and effective manner. Ensure stock replenishment is undertaken promptly and accurately and ensures that correct stock levels are maintained.

The post holder will undertake other duties as required to ensure the environment is welcoming, comfortable and clean and meets the needs of individual patients. The main elements of the job include cleaning, hospitality, catering, laundry stores and general tidiness.

Main Duties / Responsibilities

The post holder will

Stores

Be responsible for the acceptance and co-ordination of deliveries to the unit.

Be responsible for Daily receipt, issue and inspection of all items delivered to the unit.

Raise purchase orders of stock/nonstock items to meet the needs of the service.

Identify and investigate the levels on non-moving and slow-moving stock and take appropriate action.

Use of computer skills to input data i.e. stores transactions in a presentable and accurate manner in accordance with procedures.

Ensure stock is replenished in line with agreed procedures.

Adhere to safety at work regulations, C.O.S.H.H., manual handling and any codes of practice or procedures that may be introduced.

Maintain security of the stores at all time and ensure the safe custody of all stock items.

Maintain effective working relationships and good communications networks with all suppliers external to the Trust.

Liaise with the Finance Department in resolving queries on invoices

He/she should be able to perform her duties without supervision.

General

Meet and greet relatives on arrival to unit in a professional and courteous manner and provide any relevant information required.

Communicate effectively within the multidisciplinary team, ensuring that patient’s needs are known.

Contribute to maintaining a safe, clean and tidy environment and equipment.

Carry out monitoring of service delivery related to food, linen and environment.

Be aware of the Trusts complaint process.

Respect the privacy and dignity of patients whilst carrying out housekeeping duties.

Maintain confidentiality at all times in line with Trust policy.

Any other duties which may be required.

Clinical

Utilise a variety of strategies to communicate effectively with patients/relatives respecting confidentiality but ensuring appropriate information is passed onto nursing staff.

Ensure patients have adequate resources e.g. toiletries to meet their basic needs.

Assist patients in selecting and ordering food, where necessary taking into account special needs and medical requirements. Ensure patients have the appropriate assistance they require to eat and drink. Ensure patients, whose fluid intake is not medically restricted, have access to fresh water. Inform nursing staff as required.

Promote adherence to the BHSCT infection control procedures at ward level.

Cleaning

Promote the maintenance of a safe and tidy ward at all times.

Assist in the process of monitoring and maintaining cleaning standard on the ward.

Ensure general and specialist cleaning is completed as per BSCHT policy and as per ward cleaning guidelines.

Keep area’s tidy and free from clutter.

Identify any problems with cleanliness and report to NIC or Ward/Sister.

Catering

Prepare patients and surfaces where food and beverages are served/ consumed

Co-ordinate the provision of any meal requirements that arise.

Identify any problems with catering and report to Sister/Charge Nurse and kitchen managers.

Maintaining the Environment

Participate in the cleaning of equipment, ward, storage areas and general environment.

Ensure that all equipment is in good working order and faults are dealt with according to hospital policy.

Monitor and co-ordinate other ad hoc maintenance, liaising with appropriate helpdesks and Estates staff as required.

Ensure Linen store is kept clean, tidy and used for purpose of stored linen.

Monitor the level of linen available and report problems to the ward Sister/Charge Nurse.

Assist with the removal of clinical, domestic, laundry and confidential waste as per the BHSCT policy.

Maintain the safety of patient’s property and belongings.

Adhere to all BHSCT Policies

Education and Practice Development

Attend mandatory training, Fire, CPR, Moving and Handling, COSHH and other identified training to help perform role safely.

Continue to train and develop own knowledge and practice in keeping with clinical and personal need.

Undertake additional training in the ordering of supplies pertinent to unit.

Develop IT skills to enable ordering, reporting faults and repairs and accessing email system

Personal & People Development

Participate fully in the HSC Trust’s KSF/PCF Personal Performance and Development Review and comply with the Trust’s appraisal system.

Attend Induction Programme and participate in training and other learning and development activities as required.

Keep up to date records of own development review process.

Participate in the induction and development of others as required.

Health, Safety & Security

Undertake duties that are required to ensure adequate standards of environmental hygiene and prevent cross infection.

Report any accidents and incidents to relevant registered nursing staff and assist in the investigation of same.

Comply with health and safety policies and statutory regulations.

Contribute to effective and economic use of resources and the maintenance of all equipment.

Work within own role in emergencies and summon help.

Identify and report any health, safety and security issues to the appropriate person.

Comply with HSC Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols.

Service Improvement

Fully participate in all work place audits.

Report all concerns and complaints to appropriate registered nursing staff in a timely manner.

Quality

Work within the limits of own competence and responsibility and will refer issues beyond these limits to registered nursing staff.

Act responsibility as a team member and seeks help if necessary.

Contribute to the delivery of respectful and professional care in order to provide a quality service.

Equality & Diversity

Adhere to current legislation and HSC Trust policies on equality and diversity.

Present a positive image of self and the organisation, and treat others with dignity and respect.

Recognise and report behaviour that undermines equality and diversity.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.

Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.

Maintain high standards of personal accountability.

Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trust’s Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognises the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

This includes

Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);

Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;

Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;

Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);

Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);

Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;

Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;

Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

The Patient Experience Standards

Patients and service users have a right to experience respectful and professional care, in a considerate and supportive environment, where their privacy is protected and dignity maintained. This principle should be prompted and supported by all health and social care organisations and professional bodies, enabling staff to provide a quality service.

There are many complex factors relevant to the quality of patient and service user’s experience. The following five areas have been identified as important towards ensuring a positive patient or client experience:

Respect

Attitude

Behaviour

Communication

Privacy and Dignity

This is not an exhaustive list and there may be overlap between the areas, however, all five relate to aspects identified by patients and service users as important to their experience.

Values

The Belfast Trust aims to recruit staff not only with the right skills but also with the right values to ensure the delivery of excellent patient care and experience. Staff will be expected to be committed to provide safe, effective, compassionate and person centred care by:-

Treating Everyone with Dignity and Respect

Displaying Openness and Trust

Being Accountable

Being Leading Edge

Maximising Learning and Development

By embedding the above values we will make a significant contribution to the delivery of the Trust’s Vision.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE / BAND: House Keeper

DEPT / DIRECTORATE: Urgent and Emergency Care MIH

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.

You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Qualifications

Registration

Minimum of 3 GCSE’s or GCSE’s at grade A-C/9-4 (or equivalent) 1 in English or GNVQ in Health Care and 2 years’ experience within a hospital environment.

OR

NVQ level 2 or 3 in Health care with 18 months experience providing Health Care or equivalent.

3 years’ experience providing healthcare / domestic / catering / portering / housekeeping services within a hospital setting.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

Skills

Abilities

Be willing to undertake relevant training / professional development as required to meet the service need.

Have the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people

And

Interview / Test

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Desirable criteria will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Previous experience working in an urgent and emergency care setting

NOTE

Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.