Job overview
Mary Moore is an cute surgical ward within the division of surgery, and we are looking to recruit a full time housekeeper to become a member of our dynamic and welcoming team.
House keepers are part of the ward team. You will work under the supervision and direction of the senior ward staff and manager. Working closely with the domestic staff, catering and linen services as well as nursing staff and clinical support staff. As a Housekeeper you will work in a supportive role, assisting the clinical nursing team to ensure the department runs smoothly. You will need to be flexible, adaptable and have strong organisational skills. Excellent communication skills are important as you will be liaising with teams throughout the hospital whilst working closely with the nursing team.
The core responsibility is maintaining cleanliness and organisation of the ward area, which may include cleaning, tiding and making sure the ward is organised. Maintaining infection control standards, escalating concerns to estates where appropriate.
House Keepers help make sure the ward is clean, safe and attractive place for patients and staff.
Main duties of the job
The housekeeper duties are listed fully in the attached job description. Please read this. However some of the main duties include, overseeing the stock of all stores within the ward, including online internal ordering. Becoming familiar with our stock requirements and the fluctuating stock demands. Supporting staff in meeting the nutritional needs of our patients. Ensuring high standards of cleanliness and tidiness are maintained within both the clinical and non clinical areas. Supporting the team with non-clinical tasks and some clerical duties. Liaising with other teams within the trust such as estates and the kitchens regarding repairs or procurement of equipment. Excellent communication skills to ensure the needs of the role are met, within the team, as well as with the wider range of teams who support the role.
Working for our organisation
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main Duties/Key Areas
1. Stocks and supplies
2. Maintain top-up system by putting away stock as soon as it is delivered to the correct place
3. Manage Laburnum Store Room and ensure it is neat and tidy
4. Order stock that is running low and keep track of stock daily
5. Liaise with top-up technician and check on stock levels of all top-up items.
6. Arrange emergency deliveries with ward manager’s agreement to avoid shortage of stock.
7. Liaise with STERIS representative for the collection and delivery of sterile equipment.
8. Train selected Maternity Support Worker to ensure cross cover for annual leave
9. Keep store rooms clean and tidy, carry out regular stock control
Ward Hygiene
10. Oversee and check the cleanliness of the ward area. Inform the ward sister of any problems.
11. Liaise with the designated domestic.
12. Assist with beds, ward tidying when necessary.
13. Cleaning of equipment after use, as per Trust cleaning policy and auditing this
Indirect patient care
14. Act as a runner for the ward to collect or deliver goods to other departments where a porter is not available or an item is needed urgently.
15. Assist in helping and directing visitors.
16. To courteously and effectively receive all ward attendees and telephone enquiries.
17. To maintain effective communications at all times
18. Carry out reasonable requests made by the ward sister/matron.
19. Clerical Responsibilities
20. Assist with all clerical and administrative duties as required.
21. Organise and maintain patient’s property that is stored on the ward or that is left behind
22. Inform the ward sister and arrange for property to be collected or posted as necessary.
23. To participate in departmental meetings.
24. Cover for Ward Clerk when required and greet visitors to the ward
25. To participate in the appraisal of own performance, identifying training and development
needs.
26. Maintain clear and accurate records.
Linen
27. Maintain supply of linen and ensure that the ward has adequate levels. Liaise with the linen
services department, with the agreement of the ward sister.
28. Keep linen cupboard neat and tidy to allow efficient top-up.
Repair
29. Inform maintenance of any repair works that are needed to be carried out on the ward, with the knowledge of the ward sister, using the correct escalation process.
30. Keep a record of any requisitions, job completion and outcome, liaising with the ward co-ordinator.
31. Carry out monthly checks of all beds and mattresses. Record and report to the ward sister if any problems.
Policies
32. To have responsibility for the Health, Safety and Welfare of self and others and to comply at all times with the requirement of the Health and Safety Regulations.
33. To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act and its amendments.
34. To work in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities policy to eliminate unlawful discrimination in relation to employment and service delivery.
35. To ensure skills are up-to-date and relevant to the role, to follow relevant Trust policies and professional codes and to maintain registration where this is a requirement of the role
36. Maintain up to date knowledge and competency in the skills required to perform safely and effectively in the role. Undertake relevant training (including statutory and mandatory training) and be responsible for personal development agreed with the line manager.
37. Comply with trust health and safety processes and risk management procedures and report as necessary
38. To comply with Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust No Smoking Policies.
39. To undertake such duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and the needs of the service.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
40. Literacy and numeracy skills
Desirable criteria
41. Studying for N.V.Q. level 2 or 3
Experience
Essential criteria
42. Ability to work well with all members of the multidisciplinary team and the public
Desirable criteria
43. Previous healthcare setting experience
Skills
Essential criteria
44. Good communication and computer skills
45. Abililty to use own initiative
46. Customer care skills
47. Organisational skills
48. IT skills
Desirable criteria
49. Previous housekeeping experience
50. Health & Safety awareness
Your application: Please ensure that you have read the job description and person specification and that your supporting statement reflects these, as your application will be assessed and scored against these criteria.
References: You will be required to provide 3 years of employment/educational history. We do not accept references from personal email addresses such as Hotmail, Gmail etc. therefore please ensure you are providing professional working email addresses within your application form. If you are unable to provide professional email addresses and are invited to an interview, please ensure you advise the interviewers of this - otherwise, this may delay your pre-employment checks.
Closing date: In order to streamline recruitment within our Trust, we reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
Shortlisting: You will only be contacted via e-mail/SMS by the SWL Recruitment Hub if you are successfully shortlisted for this post. Please ensure that you check your Trac registered e-mail regularly.
DBS: We are committed to safeguarding children and adults who are at risk of abuse. As such, if this post will have access to children or vulnerable adults, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. However, all employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
______________________________________________________ Disability Advice Line: SWL Recruitment Hub is committed to promoting equity and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. We believe that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even more positive impact on the people we serve. For support with job opportunities and reasonable adjustments contact our Confidential Disability Advice Line at: Telephone: 02082963786 Text: 07501066267 Email: @. Our confidential answering service is available after 5pm. ______________________________________________________
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
NameEmonido Justina OyiboJob titleWard managerEmail addressTelephone number02082963223