Job overview
To be the operational lead with responsibility for the delivery of the highest possible standards of cleanliness and environment for patients, visitors, and staff at all times.
To provide leadership to the Housekeeping ADMs whilst ensuring that the requirements and standards laid down by the Trust are maintained including the management of staff rosters and adherence to budgetary constraints. To review and plan innovative service solutions in a vibrant and demanding NHS environment – continuously striving to improve our services. To ensure the hospital has a reputation for its high quality Housekeeping service.
The post holder will need to be fully aware of the Trust's Values & Behaviours and Patient First initiatives and act accordingly.
Main duties of the job
·To communicate effectively and give clear and concise instructions following interpretation of information coming through in a pressurised environment.
·To hold regular 1:1 meetings with all direct reports.
·Further communication will be required with a wide range of people, including colleagues, service users, other Trust staff, visitors, contractors and patients.
·Liaise with Ward/Department Managers on a daily basis and in particular to inform outcomes of cleaning audits and agree action plans.
Complete any required documentation/requests for information to meet the requirements of the Trust’s policies and procedures.
·Complete Cleaning documentation to meet the requirements of the Trust’s Housekeeping operational procedures and SOPs.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
·To ensure that cleaning is managed according to agreed cleaning schedules within designated areas.
·Ensure that all areas are cleaned appropriately, checked and signed off by Housekeeping ADMs.
·To liaise with other Housekeeping Duty Managers/ADMs ensuring continued service supervision during times of absence, annual leave of sickness.
·To ensure designated areas are staffed appropriately at all times and staff contingency plans are in place. Wherever possible initial absences must be covered by the Housekeeping ADMs.
·To allocate duties and shifts using the agreed staff roster system ensuring effective Housekeeping cover within allocated budgets and provide monthly payroll information to the Housekeeping Manager ensuring all shift enhancements and overtime is captured correctly.
·To work with the Housekeeping Manager/SDMs to plan and amend work schedules/staffing levels highlighting any perceived need for overtime and bank expenditure to meet fluctuating service activity/demands.
·Assist the Housekeeping Manager in the recruitment and selection of staff to ensure staff levels meet service requirements.
·To proactively manage the process of managing sickness absence in line with policy including the completion of Return to Work documentation and holding formal/informal sickness review meetings with staff.
·Manage initial stages of disciplinary, capability and grievance action, in accordance with the relevant HR policies.
·Complete appraisals for Housekeeping staff and agree Personal Development Plans. Ensure that the minimum appraisal compliance targets set by the Trust are met by the Housekeeping department.
·To promote a safe working environment within Housekeeping, always ensuring the safe use and storage of all equipment and materials.
·To work and ensure that Housekeeping staff work in accordance with Health & Safety Guidelines and Trust/Departmental policies and procedures at all times.
·Ensure the correct levels of cleaning materials and equipment to enable staff to undertake their duties to a satisfactory standard are ordered and available.
·Ensure that staff are using Chemicals correctly as stipulated by Control of Substances Hazard to Health (COSHH) and departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
·To ensure the correct disposal of clinical, domestic, and re-cycling waste as per Trust policy.
·To record any defects in cleaning equipment reported by the ADM and take appropriate action to rectify.
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
Person specification
Application
Essential criteria
1. NVQ 4 in a management discipline or equivalent experience, Evidence of continual professional development
2. Multi-functional staff management, Previous role in patient / customer facing environment
3. Develop and maintain good communication with people, and at all levels about difficult matters and / or in difficult situations,
4. Able to analyse, investigate and interpret information Ability to assess how to safely transport hospital equipment and utilise appropriate manual handling techniques Assess and understand technical equipment (ie Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning ) Understanding of Health & Safety and Environmental Regulations for safe transfer of patients and in general terms relating to visitors and staff
5. Ability to prioritise work Ability to understand rosters / rotas Ability to plan ahead and assess situations.
6. Able to carry out full range of physical requirements of the role Manual handling techniques
7. Develop self and team members to reach their full potential Coordinate, monitor and review team members’ performance and take appropriate action as a result Coordinate work duties and develop / change these as appropriate to achieve optimum results Carry out appraisals of team
8. Flexible approach to work and ability to meet demands of shift requirements and ad hoc arrangements as required
Desirable criteria
9. IOSH
10. Knowledge of Cleaning Legislation
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
11. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
12. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications