Housekeeper

Job overview

To meet patient hydration and nutrition needs by providing tea rounds for patients and assisting with serving meals.

To maintain stock control, report cleanliness and maintenance issues,

Main duties of the job

To meet patient hydration and nutrition needs by providing tea rounds for patients and assisting with serving meals.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Operational Delivery

Undertake regular tea/drinks rounds for patients.

Responsible for preparation and service of snacks and drinks when requested by a patient or relative.

Ensure that the 'red' tray system is implemented to denote those nutritionally at risk.

Ensure hand wipes and serviettes are available for patients at meal times along with condiments.

Assist in the monitoring and documentation of patients nutritional intake, ensuring nursing staff are made aware of any problems.

Assist patients at meal times with cutting up food and if necessary assisting with feeding as requested by the Nurse in Charge.

Co-ordinate extra meal requirements as required.

Attend and participate in ward catering meetings.

Supporting the Ward Manager by highlighting and reporting areas of the ward that are not cleaned to the standards agreed.

Responsible for ensuring the ward remains tidy.

Assist with clearing bed areas following a patient discharge or transfer, including cleaning and removal of equipment to correct storage area, cleaning locker, bed and chair.

Responsible for the general care of plants and flowers bought into the ward including the regular cleaning of vases.

Be responsive to patient requests and liaise with nursing staff regarding patient errands.

Assist patients in the completion of menus, offering alternatives and choices if necessary.

Ensure that the menus are completed clearly and on time.

Maintain the safety and storage of the Trust's and patients' property and belongings in line with Hospital Policy.

Put away the weekly stock order and restock cupboard areas and linen trolleys as required.

Undertake the moving and positioning of equipment, adhering to the Trust's Moving and Handling Policy.Patient / Customer Care

To maintain good communication with patients, families and colleagues.

Assist the patients to meet their hydration and nutritional needs

Assist with moving and positioning of patients in preparation for mealtimes, adhering to  the Trust’s Moving and Handling Policy

Accurate completion of hydration and nutrition charts

Communication and Relationship Building

Communicate effectively with ward staff, cleaning and catering staff.

Must effectively manage barriers when communicating with people with special needs e.g hard of hearing or cognitive problems.

Must be able to communicate in a written and verbal form.

Welcome visitors to the ward and assist with queries.

Answer the phone in the absence of the admin staff, effectively take messages and deal with enquiries.

Service Development and Improvement

Attend ward meetings.

Offer up ideas for improvement and be involved in carrying them through.

To uphold the Trust’s values and vision

Management and Leadership

Participate in the induction of new staff/ students/ volunteers as appropriate.

Finance and Resource Management

Complete the weekly stock order.

Complete rotation of stock, monitoring expiry dates.

Information Management

Maintain confidentiality and manage information sensitively.

Word versions of documents are available if needed to allow for any adaptations to be made i.e. font, colour, background, convert to Read Aloud.