Job summary
Do you have experience in a clinical environment? Are you looking for a change? Then our housekeeper opportunity may be what you are looking for.
We are looking for someone who is organised, pays attention to detail and can work without direct supervision. You will have excellent spoken and written communication skills and be computer literate.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as an integral member of a specified ward. They will form part of the team to deliver quality services particularly pertaining to infection control, audit and non-clinical patient services.
The post holder will be required to work closely with contractors and support services. They will monitor quality standards and arrange for deficiencies to be rectified.
To assist the Sister / Charge Nurse in ensuring a clean and tidy, safe and comfortable ward environment for patients.
To work with all staff, patients and members of the public to achieve high standards of infection control.
Working with nursing staff to ensure patients receive food and beverages according to their needs.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Infection control
- Decontamination monitoring across all areas pertaining to non-ward equipment to ensure that is kept visibly clean during its use and prior to return to either the bed store or the equipment library
- Logging all additional equipment in use on the wards from external areas i.e. bed store, equipment library
- To ensure equipment to be returned for reprocessing is stored safely.
- Environmental monitoring using tools at hand and liaising with Cleaning Contractors on their weekly inspection
- Monitoring ward equipment checks for visible identification of decontamination (commodes, suction, drip stands etc)
- Delivering regular education to ward staff on the correct methods of decontamination
- To ensure the department is safe and tidy at all times, e.g., remove clutter, tidy notice boards, signage etc.
- To identify any problems with cleanliness and report to the Divisional Supervisor and Ward Manager or Matron
- To ensure specialist cleaning of surfaces and furnishings.
- To identify patients with infection due to be discharge and over isolation nursing areas are cleaned appropriately.
- To ensure that all dannicentres and alcohol gel containers are kept filled
Catering
- To ensure that light refreshments are available for patients if required, in accordance with National policy/standard
- To provide eating assistance, e.g., cutting up food, placing food within reach, encouraging patients to eat, as guided by the nursing staff.
- To assist nursing staff with hot/cold beverages including appropriate trolley/equipment.
- To ensure a pleasant environment for patients is maintained where food and beverages are served/consumed.
- To liaise with the nursing staff in notifying the catering department of discharged, transferred and newly admitted patients meal requirements.
- To co-ordinate extra meal requirements that may arise.
- Monitoring of catering standards.
Maintaining the Environment
- As part of the ward team the housekeeper will ensure the continual provision of the highest possible standards of service.
- Participate in the audit and use of environmental checklists as requested.
- Report environmental repairs and follow up outstanding work as necessary.
- To inform Line Managers of outcomes of monitoring and agree action plans ensuring action is taken.
- Ensure requests through the Housekeeping Monitoring Form 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.
- If required, transport clinical, domestic and confidential waste as per policy to the disposal area (Dirty Utility).
- To minimise the potential for adverse behaviour and security breaches.
Communication
- Work with the ward sister and Ward receptionist in the monitoring and maintaining of the ward database system
- To communicate varied and complicated information (verbally and in writing) in a way that is understood and gets the important facts across.
- Ensure that Patient information/ literature is available.
- 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 use communication skills to manage any abusive or aggressive behaviour.
- To receive complaints ensuring the relevant department are aware (PALS & Patient Services).
- To be aware and implement any new policies and standards including Food Hygiene, Waste Categorisation, Infection Control, Cleaning etc.
Quality and Audit
- To form part of a team undertaking quality audits including Hand Hygiene, Environment, Suction and documentation as directed by the Ward Manager
- To assist in the delivery of patient surveys in conjunction with the Patient & Public Involvement Manager.
- To maintain the staff notice boards ensuring that the current performance and audit data is displayed
- To actively support the process of risk management ensure incidents are reported appropriately and helping identify ways of preventing errors and accidents to both patients and staff.
- Take an active role in the Wards Clinical Governance Strategy, participating in audit, aiding with data collection and attending Governance meetings.
General
- To ensure patients have adequate supplies to meet their basic needs, e.g. toiletries as required.
- To ensure stock levels are maintained as directed by the Ward Manager.
- To assist people with accessing and interpreting written information, e.g., cards and letters.
- To communicate effectively with people.
- To respond to health emergencies as appropriate.
- To act appropriately on all information, problem solving and finding solutions wherever possible.
- Use initiative to work independently.
- To maintain strict confidentiality of patient records at all times in line with the hospital code of practice.
- To observe the rules, policies and procedures of Kings College Hospital.
- The post-holder must act in such a way as to promote a positive image of Kings College Hospital at all times.
- To undertake any other duties as compatible with the grade.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Infection control
- Decontamination monitoring across all areas pertaining to non-ward equipment to ensure that is kept visibly clean during its use and prior to return to either the bed store or the equipment library
- Logging all additional equipment in use on the wards from external areas i.e. bed store, equipment library
- To ensure equipment to be returned for reprocessing is stored safely.
- Environmental monitoring using tools at hand and liaising with Cleaning Contractors on their weekly inspection
- Monitoring ward equipment checks for visible identification of decontamination (commodes, suction, drip stands etc)
- Delivering regular education to ward staff on the correct methods of decontamination
- To ensure the department is safe and tidy at all times, e.g., remove clutter, tidy notice boards, signage etc.
- To identify any problems with cleanliness and report to the Divisional Supervisor and Ward Manager or Matron
- To ensure specialist cleaning of surfaces and furnishings.
- To identify patients with infection due to be discharge and over isolation nursing areas are cleaned appropriately.
- To ensure that all dannicentres and alcohol gel containers are kept filled
Catering
- To ensure that light refreshments are available for patients if required, in accordance with National policy/standard
- To provide eating assistance, e.g., cutting up food, placing food within reach, encouraging patients to eat, as guided by the nursing staff.
- To assist nursing staff with hot/cold beverages including appropriate trolley/equipment.
- To ensure a pleasant environment for patients is maintained where food and beverages are served/consumed.
- To liaise with the nursing staff in notifying the catering department of discharged, transferred and newly admitted patients meal requirements.
- To co-ordinate extra meal requirements that may arise.
- Monitoring of catering standards.
Maintaining the Environment
- As part of the ward team the housekeeper will ensure the continual provision of the highest possible standards of service.
- Participate in the audit and use of environmental checklists as requested.
- Report environmental repairs and follow up outstanding work as necessary.
- To inform Line Managers of outcomes of monitoring and agree action plans ensuring action is taken.
- Ensure requests through the Housekeeping Monitoring Form 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.
- If required, transport clinical, domestic and confidential waste as per policy to the disposal area (Dirty Utility).
- To minimise the potential for adverse behaviour and security breaches.
Communication
- Work with the ward sister and Ward receptionist in the monitoring and maintaining of the ward database system
- To communicate varied and complicated information (verbally and in writing) in a way that is understood and gets the important facts across.
- Ensure that Patient information/ literature is available.
- 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 use communication skills to manage any abusive or aggressive behaviour.
- To receive complaints ensuring the relevant department are aware (PALS & Patient Services).
- To be aware and implement any new policies and standards including Food Hygiene, Waste Categorisation, Infection Control, Cleaning etc.
Quality and Audit
- To form part of a team undertaking quality audits including Hand Hygiene, Environment, Suction and documentation as directed by the Ward Manager
- To assist in the delivery of patient surveys in conjunction with the Patient & Public Involvement Manager.
- To maintain the staff notice boards ensuring that the current performance and audit data is displayed
- To actively support the process of risk management ensure incidents are reported appropriately and helping identify ways of preventing errors and accidents to both patients and staff.
- Take an active role in the Wards Clinical Governance Strategy, participating in audit, aiding with data collection and attending Governance meetings.
General
- To ensure patients have adequate supplies to meet their basic needs, e.g. toiletries as required.
- To ensure stock levels are maintained as directed by the Ward Manager.
- To assist people with accessing and interpreting written information, e.g., cards and letters.
- To communicate effectively with people.
- To respond to health emergencies as appropriate.
- To act appropriately on all information, problem solving and finding solutions wherever possible.
- Use initiative to work independently.
- To maintain strict confidentiality of patient records at all times in line with the hospital code of practice.
- To observe the rules, policies and procedures of Kings College Hospital.
- The post-holder must act in such a way as to promote a positive image of Kings College Hospital at all times.
- To undertake any other duties as compatible with the grade.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Good communication skills
- Ability to use and learn other software packages, i.e. Excel or Patient Administration System (PAS)
- Ability to express an understanding of the key principles of infection control
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- Working knowledge of medical terminology
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Good communication skills
- Ability to use and learn other software packages, i.e. Excel or Patient Administration System (PAS)
- Ability to express an understanding of the key principles of infection control
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- Working knowledge of medical terminology
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
