Housekeeper

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose:

The post-holder will work as an integral part of the ward team and be responsible for the co-ordination of all client facilities services in the ward area ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable environment. The main elements of the role are ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of cleaning, catering, maintenance, laundry, together with other specified tasks to meet individual client needs as determined by the ward manager/shift co-ordinator. The post-holder will be required to work closely with contractors and support service departments and monitor quality standards, report deficiencies and ensure requested work is completed.

Communications and Working Relationships

Daily communication with all ward staff. Regular communication with Estates & Facilities Departments, Clients, Monitoring Team, relatives and Domestic & Catering Departments.

Key Responsibilities:

Cleaning

To carry out Quality Audits in all areas of the ward reporting directly back to the domestic supervisor and ward manager.

To ensure spillages are dealt with swiftly and efficiently.

To ensure the ward is safe and tidy at all times e.g. remove clutter, tidy notice boards and remove any old information.

Liaise with the domestic department for arranging deep cleaning of surfaces and furnishings, informing them when bedrooms need to be cleaned following discharges. Catering

To order meals/catering requirements for patients. To ensure the daily menu is displayed correctly. Assist clients in ordering food and where necessary taking into account special needs and dietary requirements.

To support the hostess in the meal service in conjunction with the nursing team, ensuring clients dietary needs are met.

To ensure all food and beverages are served at the correct temperature according to food hygiene regulations.

To update catering with requirements for special diets. To co-ordinate extra meal requirements that may arise.

Ensure the dining area is a pleasant environment and tables are laid with condiment pots, cutlery and crockery where appropriate.

To ensure the ward kitchen is kept clean and tidy at all times.

Order ward issues and monitor the use of these. Order hardware, crockery and cutlery and monitor the use of these. Laundry

Contact laundry when supplies are running low. Keep linen and laundry room tidy. Assist clients in obtaining clean laundry when required. Maintaining the Environment

To manage the wards work requisition log ensuring all defects are logged, reported, recorded and closed down as appropriate.

To co-ordinate other ad-hoc maintenance, liaising with Facilities department e.g. curtain hanging/cleaning, wall washing, pest control.

To respect the privacy and dignity of clients whilst carrying out housekeeping duties. Organise the storage of clients property including contacting clients about property left on the ward.

Be responsible for keeping the sluice room and storage areas tidy.

Health and Safety

To support the Ward manager in maintaining Health and Safety requirements on the ward in accordance with the Trust Health & Safety Policy and to follow up as required. Record all Health & Safety audits on Assessnet.General

To receive, welcome and guide visitors on the ward, liaising with other staff as appropriate.

To respond to request for general information.

To receive and pass on information to others, maintaining confidentiality.

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.

To ensure meeting rooms are clean and tidy prior to use. Prepare refreshments for meetings as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant skills acquired through appropriate training or experience.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum six months experience in a House Keeping or equivalent role

Desirable

• Experience of working in a mental health service
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of working with vulnerable people and/or older people.

Knowledge

Essential

• Sound knowledge of English language for communication purposes.
• Knowledge of food and hygiene standards.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work proactively and independently using your own initiative.
• Ability to learn and use systems for recording Health & Safety audits on Assessnet, ordering catering/ward supplies on ISS, e-procurement and Planet FM systems, and maintaining up to date systems relating to maintenance, catering, cleaning etc.
• Ability to work flexibly and effectively as part of a team and prioritise work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Desirable

• Ability to use M365 features (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).

Other

Essential

• Commitment to improve the mental/physical health of older people
• Positive attitude to older people and their role in society
• Awareness of differing cultural background of clients and diversity of needs
• Willingness to use supervision and seek guidance
• Ability to perform physical activity

Desirable

• Understanding of Health and social services systems
• Demonstrable person-centred skills.
• Capacity for self-reflection.
• Ability to maintain a safe and practical approach to work.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Lishman Unit

Bethlem Royal Hospital

Beckenham

BR33BX

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)