Housekeeper

Job overview

Housekeeper Band 2 Full time - 37.5hours Permanent The post holder will work as an integral part of the ward team. You will be responsible for the co-ordination of all patient facilities services in the ward areas and ensure a clean, safe and comfortable environment.

Main duties of the job

• The main elements of the role are ensuring the delivery of cleaning, catering, and minor maintenance, together with other specified tasks to meet individual patient needs as determined by the ward manager sister/charge nurse.
• The post holder will be required to work closely with support services and  departments.
• You will monitor quality standards, report deficiencies and take appropriate action.
• The post holder will assist with weekly ward audits .
• The post holder will be responsible for ensuring all equipment necessary for patient care delivery is available to the nursing staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Specific Duties

Cleaning

• To assist in monitoring and maintaining cleaning standards on the ward.
• To carry out spot cleaning to ensure spillages are dealt with swiftly and efficiently.
• To ensure general and specialist equipment, e.g. drip stands, incubators and commodes are cleaned on a regular basis as per cleaning policy.
• To ensure the ward is safe and tidy at all times, e.g. remove clutter, tidy notice boards, signage, etc.
• To maintain upkeep of patients’ bed areas.
• To identify any problems with cleanliness and report to the Nurse in Charge.
• To ensure specialist cleaning of surfaces and furnishings.
• To ensure isolation nursing areas are cleaned appropriate.Catering
• To prepare and serve hot/cold snacks (e.g. toast) as requested – offering a 24-hour snack service.
• To serve meals in conjunction with the nursing team, ensuring patients intake is known and that their dietary needs are met.
• To provide eating assistance, e.g. cutting up food, placing food within reach, encouraging patients to eat.
• To prepare hot/cold beverages including appropriate trolley/equipment.
• To prepare areas where food and beverages are served/consumed to ensure a pleasant environment for patients.
• To wash all equipment/utensils used in preparation, regenerating, serving and consuming food and beverages.
• To take responsibility for the ward kitchen, ensuring it is clean at all times, e.g. discarding out-of-date food, stock rotation.
• To ensure refrigerated food is labelled and stored correctly as per policy.
• To ensure that discharged and newly-admitted patients’ meal requirements are actioned in conjunction with the ward nurse.
• To co-ordinate extra meal requirements that may arise.
• To ensure patients whose fluid intake is not medically restricted have access to fresh water (e.g. jugs and glasses).Maintaining the Environment
• To carry out monitoring of service delivery especially related to cleaning, food, linen and the environment at the agreed frequency.
• To inform the ward sister of outcomes of monitoring and agree action plans ensuring action is taken.
• To manage the ward’s defect call log book, ensuring all defects are logged, reported, recorded and closed down as appropriate.
• To monitor and co-ordinate other ad hoc maintenance, liaising with the support service helpdesk as required for other services.
• To provide household maintenance checks  in line with local policy,report any defects where necessary.
• To carry out regular equipment monitoring in accordance with procedures.
• To transport and dispose of clinical, domestic  e.g. taking waste to the ward disposal area.
• To monitor the access and security and use of premises and facilities.
• To ensure the patient’s bed space/room is respected tidy and safe including .
• To respect the privacy and dignity of patients whilst carrying out housekeeping duties.
• To maintain the safety of people’s property and belongings.
• To minimise the potential for adverse behaviour and security breaches.
• To use communication skills to manage any aggressive and abusive behaviour.
• To ensure equipment to be returned for reprocessing is stored safely.

General

• To receive, welcome and guide visitors on the ward, liaising with other staff as appropriate.
• To transport equipment, consumables and written information as required.
• To maintain and update paper-based records and information as required.
• To respond to requests for general information.
• To receive and pass on information to others, maintaining confidentiality.
• To report complaints and take appropriate action.
• To assist with training of staff involved with ward housekeeping services into ward routines to achieve required standards
• To be aware of any new food hygiene standards, changes to waste categorisation etc.