Domestic Assistant

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford, Luton; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Domestic Services operative at Bedford Hospital. This permanent role offers part-time or full-time hours, 20 hours per week for part-time, with a competitive salary and the chance to contribute to a clean, safe environment for patients and staff across the Trust.

You will join the Support Services team across two hospital sites, following infection control procedures, performing routine and deep cleans, storing materials safely, and

Qualifications

• GCSE English or equivalent
• GCSE Maths or equivalent
• Level 2 qualification in Cleaning Services within 12 months

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness across all areas, including floors, furniture, mattresses, curtains, and fittings.
• Safely store and use cleaning materials and ensure tasks meet health and safety guidelines.
• Carry out specialist and deep cleans after infections to prevent outbreaks.
• Organise daily workload independently, follow schedules, and complete sign-off sheets.
• Communicate effectively with Domestic Supervisors, patients, visitors, and staff to meet cleanliness standards.
• Monitor and replenish stock of cleaning supplies and hygiene products.

Skills

Good communication skills

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Level 2 Cleaning Services

Job description

Main area Domestic Services Grade NHS AfC: Band 2 Contract Permanent: Both Part-time and Fulltime vacancies are 5 out of 7 days Hours 20 hours per week (Part-time) Job ref 418-COR2951-SSJ-B

Site Bedford Hospital Town Bedford Salary £25,272 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 30/09/2026 23:59

Job overview

As a valued member of the Support Services Directorate, you will play an essential role in creating a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and visitors across the Trust. Your work will directly contribute to enhancing the overall patient experience, ensuring high standards are consistently met in every area you support.

This is a dynamic and rewarding opportunity where flexibility is key. You may be required to assist with a range of duties to meet the needs of the service, making a real difference to day-to-day operations and the wellbeing of everyone within the Trust.

We are currently recruiting across several areas. Please indicate your preferred location(s) within your supporting statement so we can consider your suitability accordingly.

Main duties of the job

As a valued member of the Support Services Directorate, you will play an essential role in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and visitors across the Trust. Your contribution will help enhance the overall patient experience, with flexibility to support additional duties as needed.

While we offer a strong learning and development programme, we recognise that success in this role also relies on the skills and experience you’ve gained throughout your career. Full details can be found in the Person Specification and Job Description on NHS Jobs, but here are three key requirements:

Maintain high standards of cleanliness across all areas, including floors, furniture, mattresses, curtains, and fittings, as well as removing marks from walls, partitions, and doors in line with set frequencies.

Safely store and use cleaning materials, ensuring all tasks are completed to the required standards and in accordance with health and safety guidelines.

Carry out specialist and deep cleans—such as those required after cases of c-Diff, MRSA, and other infections—to prevent further outbreaks and ensure a safe environment for all.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

Maintain cleanliness of floors, furniture, mattresses, curtains, fittings, and remove marks from walls, doors, and partitions as per set standards.

Safely store and use cleaning materials to ensure tasks are completed to required standards.

Perform specialist and deep cleans following cases of infections like C. difficile and MRSA to prevent further outbreaks.

Clean medical equipment (e.g., drip stands, catheter stands) and complete decontamination certificates.

Organise daily workload independently, follow schedules, and complete sign-off sheets to confirm task completion.

Communicate effectively with Domestic Supervisors, patients, visitors, and ward/department staff to meet cleanliness standards.

Monitor and replenish stock of cleaning supplies and hygiene products, reordering as needed.

Accurately complete documentation and logs (e.g., mattress logs) to record cleaning activities.

Operate all cleaning equipment, including electrical appliances, to achieve cleanliness targets

Manage ward/departmental security systems, including locking doors, operating alarms, and securing keys.

Support orientation and training of new Domestic Services staff by demonstrating duties to standard.

Handle disposal of all waste types, including recyclables and non-standard waste.

Report any signs or sightings of pests within hospital buildings and ground

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE English or equivalent at a pass or to have undertaken/be willing to work towards an Occupational English Test
• GCSE Maths or equivalent at a pass or to have undertaken/be willing to work towards an Occupational Maths Test
• To have or be willing to work toward a level 2 qualification in Cleaning Services and obtaining this within the first 12 months of employment

Experience

• Previous experience of working as part of a team
• Previous experience of working with the public
• Previous experience of working in a care or hospital environment

Knowledge

• Understanding of health and safety at work
• Good communication skills with the ability to convey information clearly and accurately
• Aware of the need for confidentiality at all times
• A positive approach to customer care with the ability to maintain good relationships and exercise patience and compassion
• Effectively prioritise and coordinate own workload
• Ability to work on own initiative with little or no supervision
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to use tact and diplomacy
• Knowledge of infection control processes and procedures in a hospital/care setting

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.