Housekeeper

Job overview

The post holder will work as an integral part of the  team. The role of Housekeeper will assist in the coordination of all patient facilities/services in the  area and to ensure a clean, safe and comfortable environment.

The main elements of the role are ensuring the delivery of cleaning, catering and minor maintenance, together with other specified tasks to meet patient needs, as determined by the Supervisory Sister.

The post holder will work closely with contractors and support services departments as directed by the Supervisory Sister. They will assist in maintaining quality standards and rectify deficiencies.

The successful candidate will be required to work a balanced rota consisting of Monday - Saturday shifts (no nights or Sundays).

Main duties of the job

We have an exciting opportunity for a housekeeper to join our friendly and dynamic team at Cossham Dialysis Unit - ASCR 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 work independently using their initiative and within a team ensuring a clean, safe environment is maintained for patients safety.

This role will be a valuable addition to our team, you will be responsible for ensuring the ordering and distribution of patients  drinks and assisting when needed and ensuring the ward is adequately stocked with consumables.  You will be working together with the multidisciplinary team to ensure the departments are 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 Saturday service, including bank holidays.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Catering

• To encourage and assist patients to order drinks, where necessary taking into account special needs and medical requirements as directed by ward staff.
• To ensure people have any assistance they require to eat and drink and to monitor intake in conjunction with the ward nurse.
• To serve  in conjunction with the nursing team, ensuring patients intake is known and that their dietary needs are met.
• To provide eating assistance, e.g. placing drinks/food within reach and providing friendly encouragement to patients with regards to drinking.
• To prepare hot/cold beverages including appropriate trolley/equipment regularly at scheduled times.
• To prepare areas where beverages are served/consumed to ensure a pleasant environment for patients.
• To wash all equipment/utensils used in preparation, regeneration, serving and consuming beverages on beverage rounds.
• To check that the ward kitchen is clean and tidy at all times, e.g. discarding out-of-date food and stock rotation beyond the daily clean by the patient support team (PST).
• To ensure 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 in the monitoring and audit of service delivery, especially related to cleaning, food, linen and the environment, at the agreed frequency, and to inform the ward sister of the outcomes.
• To assist in completing the wards defect call log book, ensuring all defects are logged, reported, recorded and closed down as appropriate.
• To assist in co-ordinating other ad hoc maintenance, liaising with the support service helpdesk as required for other services.
• To assist the Senior Sister in carrying out regular equipment monitoring as necessary in accordance with procedures.
• To transport and dispose of clinical, domestic and confidential waste as per the policy, e.g. taking waste to the ward disposal area in conjunction with the PST.
• To participate with ward staff in monitoring the access and security and use of premises and facilities.
• To ensure that patients space is respected including attending to patients perishable items e.g. fruit.
• To respect the privacy and dignity of patients whilst carrying out housekeeping duties.
• To liaise with the Senior Sister 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.
• To ensure equipment is in good working order. Ensure equipment repairs are carried out in line with trust policy.
• Maintain and clean dialysis equipment's and update stocks

General

• To assist in maintaining and updating paper and online-based records and information as required.
• To respond to requests for general information.
• To receive and pass on information to others, maintaining confidentiality.
• To understand the Trusts Complaints Procedure and act in accordance with this procedure.
• 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.