Housekeeper - Nicol Unit
The closing date is 03 November 2025
Nicol Unit is a 19 bedded Rehabilitation /Sub acute Unit
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated, caring and proactive Housekeeper to work within our team, focusing on providing the highest standard of care for our patients and their families.
Excellent organisational skills and good computer ability are essential in this role. You will work as part of a team providing care Monday - Friday.
Main duties of the job
To support nursing staff in the delivery and co-ordination of patient requirements. The post holder will work part of the ward team ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable environment for the patient.
About us
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Job responsibilities
Meeting Nutritional Requirements
To assist patients to order food that meets their dietary requirements. Assisting ISS catering staff in the ordering of food that meets the patients dietary requirement and ensuring the relevant diet strips are above the patient beds
To check that the patients kitchen is stock with dietary supplements to meet the needs of the patients, as prescribed by a dietician.
Ensure dietary supplements are in date and that stock is correctly rotated.
To receive the meal trolley and to take charge of the meal service, during breakfast and lunchtime service, when it arrives on the ward.
To ensure that all patients receive their meals in a timely manner and that any discrepancies in patient orders are dealt with in conjunction with nursing staff and main kitchen.
To oversee the distribution of the meal service so that the Red Tray scheme is adhered to and protected mealtimes, as applicable.
To inform nurses of any meals that have not been eaten or evidence of a reduced appetite, which may need to be recorded on the patient chart as part of the dietary intake.
To promote a pleasant environment for eating, i.e. remove clutter from tables and ensuring patients are ready to receive their meal and that handwipes are available
To work in conjunction with the hostess to ensure that the patients fridge temperature is checked and accurately monitored and recorded and to ensure food is labelled and stored correctly, as per the Trust policy.
To ensure adherence to the protected mealtime policy.
To take responsibility for the staff fridge temperature checks, dispose of any out of date items and clean on a regular basis.
To take responsibility for the daily drug fridge temperature checks and to notify the nurse in charge or pharmacy technician of any drugs that are no longer required or are out of date.
Maintaining the Environment
To ensure all requirements for maintenance/repairs to equipment are reported in a timely manner via the intranet.
To monitor response times of any maintenance discrepancies that have been reported, within own remit.
To ensure patients lockers and bed side tables are kept clean and tidy, working in conjunction with the ISS domestic and clinical staff.
To maintain the cleanliness of all nursing equipment, to include; drip stands, pumps, dressing trolleys, computers on wheels, SEND/obs machines.
To maintain the cleanliness of the ward workable area i.e. nursing station to include wiping down of computers, workspaces and chairs. To work in conjunction with the ward clerk and progress chaser to ensure the area is kept visibly clean and clutter free.
In accordance with Trust policy and COSHH, ensure that there is a plentiful supply of Tristel available daily and replenished every 24 hours.
To ensure that the commodes are checked and cleaned in the sluice.
To ensure that the sluice supplies are well-stocked e.g. clinical supplies.
To ensure that that are adequate supplies of spillage kits.
For audit purposes, to maintain the cleaning records for the sluice.
Work in conjunction with the cleaning team, particularly on floor cleaning day, to supervise the movement of patients and assist the team by advising which equipment can be moved/unplugged etc. and to ensure the activities are carried out safely and in a dignified manner.
To ensure that all nursing equipment is correctly set up during the cleaning process to ensure patient safety
To liaise with the nurse in charge daily and check that the infection prevention advisory boards are up to date to promote the safety of all patients, staff and visitors
To daily check that the suction units work at each bed space, report any discrepancies and to ensure that the correct equipment is available and connected to maintain patient safety.
General
To ensure personal privacy, dignity and confidentiality is maintained.
To file patients records in the absence of the Ward Aide.
To respond to telephone calls in a courteous manner.
To receive and pass on information to others, maintaining confidentiality.
To ensure the cost-effective use of resources.
To respond to patients concerns through communication with nursing staff.
To respond to emergency protocols as appropriate
To maintain effective working relationships.
To promote effective communication with patients, colleagues, other health care staff and visitors to the trust.
Maintain a professional image at all times.
To assist with the logistics on the ward in ensuring that the ward has enough linens and PPE
Training and Education Role
The post holder will acknowledge their limitations in relation to any delegated task that they do not feel competent to perform.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Literacy and Numeracy Skills
* 4 GCSEs or equivalent
* Basic Food Hygiene
* IT Skills
Experience
* Proven to have good verbal and written communication skills
* Previous experience of stock ordering
Skills
* Awareness of patient and ward confidentiality
* Able to manage time effectively
* Awareness of housekeeping in a health care setting
* Good organisational skills
* An understanding of the NHS
Personal Qualities
* Able to work as an effective team member
* Able to adapt to work in a busy environment where there may be frequent interruptions
* Commitment to personal development
* Ability to manage own workload under the guidance of supervisor
Other
* Aware of current NHS issues and priorities
* Have an awareness of clinical waste management and health and safety
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.
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