Housekeeper - Emergency Department

Job overview

We are seeking a dedicated and proactive Housekeeper to join our busy Emergency Department team at Royal Preston Hospital. This is a vital patient-facing role that supports the smooth running of the department by ensuring a clean, safe, and well-stocked environment for patients and staff. The successful candidate will work closely with clinical teams to maintain high standards of hygiene, assist with patient comfort, and contribute to the overall efficiency of the department. This role is key to supporting clinical safety and enhancing patient experience in a fast-paced, high-pressure setting.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties of the Job

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness across all areas of the Emergency Department, including patient bays, waiting areas, staff rooms, and clinical spaces.
• Ensure timely restocking of clinical supplies, linen, and patient essentials to support efficient care delivery.
• Assist with patient-facing tasks such as distributing meals, drinks, and supporting patient comfort and dignity.
• Work closely with nursing and clinical teams to respond to environmental needs and maintain infection control standards.
• Support waste management and safe disposal of clinical and non-clinical materials.
• Contribute to the smooth running of the department by ensuring areas are clean, organised, and ready for patient use.
• Report any maintenance or safety concerns promptly to the appropriate teams.
• Participate in departmental meetings and training relevant to the role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Emergency Department Housekeeper plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of safe, effective, and compassionate care by ensuring the clinical environment is clean, well-maintained, and appropriately stocked. This is a patient-facing role that contributes directly to the overall patient experience and supports the clinical team in maintaining high standards of care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Environmental Cleanliness: Ensure all patient and staff areas within the Emergency Department are cleaned to a high standard in line with infection prevention and control policies.
• Stock Management: Monitor and replenish clinical supplies, linen, and patient essentials to ensure availability and readiness for care delivery.
• Patient Support: Assist with non-clinical patient needs such as distributing meals and drinks, maintaining dignity, and supporting comfort.
• Waste Disposal: Safely manage and dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste in accordance with Trust policies.
• Maintenance Reporting: Identify and report any environmental or equipment issues to the appropriate teams to ensure timely resolution.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with nursing, medical, and facilities staff to respond to the operational needs of the department.
• Health & Safety: Adhere to all relevant health and safety guidelines and participate in mandatory training.
• Flexibility: Support the department during busy periods and adapt to changing priorities as required.

This role is essential to maintaining a safe and efficient Emergency Department and contributes significantly to patient safety, staff wellbeing, and operational flow.