Housekeeper

Job overview

Are you an enthusiastic colleague who is willing to  work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team* to provide fresh, cooked, nutritional meals for people who use the service and to assist in doing the laundry for less able people within the houses.

As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings

Main duties of the job

• Patients receive a choice of food, snacks and drinks at both meal times and on request
• Linen and suitable clothing is readily available
• The necessary liaison with other services is undertaken to facilitate the smooth running of the ward
• To report damages to fixtures and fittings and report to the Nurse in Charge
• To ensure hazard warning notices are prominently displayed and acted upon.
• The Multi- disciplinary Team consists of nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, dieticians, speech and language therapists, pharmacists, domestic staff, volunteers, social workers, Rehabilitation Support Workers and housekeeper
• To ensure that the Trust values of Compassion, Respect, Empowerment and Partnership working are followed at all times when interacting with staff members; patients; families and carers; and visitors to the ward

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support with meal prepping

• To respect patients freedom of choice and to endeavour to promote a sense of individuality and self- identity at all times within safe boundaries
• To assist people who use the service to choose their meals for the week
• To prepare and cook meals for people who are unable to cook for themselves
• To order foods, store foods and rotate foods so that there is a reduced amount of wastage.
• To have responsibility for serving food, snacks and drinks to people who use the service
• The post holder needs to ensure that they are up to date with all mandatory training in relation to food hygiene.
• To ensure that the meals reflect the cultural needs of the people who use the services.
• To orientate patients and relatives/carers to the ward
• To follow any special instructions as directed by the nursing staff following the advice of other members of the team e.g. Speech and language therapist or dietician

Supplies

• To ensure that all food stored in the refrigerator is correctly labelled/dated and that it is used within 24 hours both patients’ and staff. Food to be discarded after 24 hours or if not labelled
• To order food stores for the ward ensuring adequate stocks are available each day to meet the patients’ choices and needs
• To ensure ward stock levels are maintained by ensuring a programme of ordering is implemented; Ward Managers will determine which stock ordering is appropriate e.g. disposables

Privacy and Dignity

• To be sensitive to each patient’s individual and cultural diversity needs

Control of Infection

• To follow the rules of hygiene, as laid down by the NICE guidelines, helping to prevent cross infection, and the careful disposal of soiled/contaminated equipment in accordance with trust policy.

Health and Safety

• To check and record the temperature of patient’s food as delegated by the ward manager
• To use equipment according to best practice and PCT policy i.e. microwaves, fridges
• To participate in statutory/mandatory in -service training courses and study days as deemed appropriate by the ward manager
• To adhere to local and trust policies and procedures.