Housekeeper

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a housekeeper to join our friendly and dynamic  team on Central Delivery Suite (CDS) within the Women and Children's  Division.  You must  have the enthusiasm and desire to deliver a high quality service to our patients and their families. The candidate must have excellent communication and organisational skills, be able to work independently using their initiative and within a team ensuring that a clean, safe environment is maintained for patient's safety.

This role will be a valuable addition to our team, you will be responsible for ensuring the ordering and distribution of patients  meals and drinks, assisting when needed and ensuring the ward is adequately stocked with consumables.  You will be working together with the multidisciplinary team to ensure the department is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness of both the ward environment and clinical equipment .

The successful applicant must be  flexible and willing to work shifts covering a Monday to Sunday service, day and night shifts including bank holidays.

Main duties of the job

At North Bristol NHS Trust, we are committed to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.

The post holder will work as key members of our ward team, under the direction of the senior midwife or ward manager, you will work closely with the domestic and maternity support worker teams, as well as catering, linen services and midwifery staff.

In this vital role, you will lead ward services such as catering, cleaning, equipment and supplies. The work can include:

• Ordering non-clinical supplies
• Stocking up the ward
• Keep the Clinical area clean and generic cleaning .
• Keeping the ward clean and tidy
• Serving and clearing away meals
• Preparing snacks and drinks
• Working with the wider team to clean and prepare labour rooms for the next patient.

To be successful in this role, you must be able to work independently as well as part of a team ensuring a clean, safe environment is maintained for patient safety. You will also have:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Numeracy and literacy level 2 or equivalent
• IT skills, including Basic Word, E-mail and keyboard skills
• Caring and compassionate attributes
• An ability to prioritise work and effective time management skills
• A desire to undertake any additional training as required for the post

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Catering

• To serve breakfast lunch and evening meals.
• To prepare hot/cold beverages and toast, using appropriate trolley/equipment when required by patients.
• To prepare areas where beverages are served/consumed to ensure a pleasant environment for patients.
• To wash all equipment/utensils used as necessary, and store in preparation for patient use.
• To check that the patient kitchen is always clean and tidy, e.g. discarding out-of-date food and stock rotation.
• To ensure patient refrigerated items are labelled and stored correctly in accordance with Trust operational policy.
• To ensure that patients whose fluid intake is not medically restricted have access to fresh water.

Maintaining the Environment

• To assist with the cleaning and preparation of labour rooms, ensuring a pleasant environment for the families in our care
• To assist in the monitoring and audit of service delivery, especially related to cleaning, food, linen and the environment, and to inform the ward sister of any issues
• To assist in completing the wards defect logbook, ensuring all defects are logged, reported, recorded and closed down as appropriate.
• To transport and dispose of clinical, domestic and confidential waste as per the policy, e.g. using appropriate waste/laundry receptacles.
• To participate with ward staff in monitoring the access, security and use of premises and facilities.
• To respect the privacy and dignity of patients whilst carrying out housekeeping duties.
• To liaise with the senior midwife/ ward sister with any concerns relating to the potential for adverse behaviour and security breaches.
• To use communication skills to help manage and prevent any aggressive and abusive behaviour and escalate this to a senior member of staff as necessary.
• To ensure the safe storage of equipment.

General

• To assist with training of staff involved with ward housekeeping services explaining the required standards.
• To be aware of any new food hygiene standards, changes to waste categorisation, etc.

• To pass on relevant information to others, maintaining confidentiality.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria

• Education Numeracy and Literacy Level 2

Desirable criteria

• Food Hygiene qualification/certification (training will be provided).

Experience

Desirable criteria

• Housekeeping in healthcare
• Hospitality experience

Essential

Essential criteria

• Good Communication/ Customer Skills
• Team Working
• Organisation Skills
• Flexible / Adaptable
• Able to use own initiative