FM Assistant - Cleaning | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Harlow; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Harlow is seeking an FM Assistant to participate in providing facilities management services. You will work Monday to Friday, from 17:00 to 19:30, ensuring cleanliness, assisting in food services, and supporting with portering tasks. The role requires a flexible approach and attention to detail, with opportunities for growth and development within the team.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent training facilities and opportunities

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Must have the right to work in the UK.
• Experience in cleaning and or food services is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Ensure wards/areas are cleaned according to the work schedule.
• Assist with the regeneration process of cook-chill meals.
• Deliver and collect items as required in Portering.

Skills

Flexible approach

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Job description

Overview

FM Assistant – Band 2 - £24,465 per annum pro rota
Nuffield House Health Centre, Harlow
Hours: Monday to Friday, 17:00 to 19:30 (2 hours a day, 12.5 hours a week).

To participate in the provision of in-house FM services to a specified area within the Trust, which may include in-patient areas and retail outlets. The FM services comprise cleaning, catering, portering, bed making and laundering services; however, some of these services are unit specific. Sections of this job description may not be relevant to all staff and will be identified where appropriate but are not exhaustive.

You must be aware of the important part you play in maintaining the environment to an excellent standard. Your work will involve working alongside patients and occasionally interacting with them as you carry out your duties. You will be working as part of the Facilities Team and are expected to have a flexible approach to your duties. You will be working as a valued member of the Estates & Facilities Management Team.

Please note you must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this position. Due to current Home Office Guidelines, we are unable to sponsor this job role.

The Estates & Facilities Department is responsible for delivering high quality and cost effective services across Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking to appoint a number of enthusiastic and highly motivated staff. Annual leave entitlement is 27 days plus bank holidays rising to 33 days after 10 years service (pro-rata to hours worked).

Salary is £25,768 (pro-rata for part time working) depending on experience and previous NHS service. EPUT are looking for motivated staff who share our Trust values of Open, Compassionate and Empowering. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including:

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work

Important Notice: The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 requires COVID vaccination for those directly employed to work in a Care Home or deployed to a CQC registered care home, unless exempt. This is a requirement of this role and will form part of pre-employment checks.

Key responsibilities

Domestic Service including Rapid Response (CAT):

• Ensure wards/areas are cleaned in accordance with the work schedule.
• Perform vacuuming, sweeping, scrubbing and mopping; high and low dusting; cleaning surfaces, mirrors, chairs, bed frames, bins, sani-bins; toilets, sinks, baths and showers; cleaning cookers, ovens, fridges, holding fridges, microwaves and other kitchen items; defrost fridges regularly; restock consumables; descale taps; manage waste and bin liners.
• Work with supervisor to review work schedules to ensure they are manageable and appropriate.
• Inform supervisor of problems affecting cleaning quality (e.g., floor coverings, surfaces).
• Use colour-coded cleaning materials and store/dispose of items properly to prevent cross infection.
• Monitor and report quality of products; ensure only Trust-provided chemicals are used as trained.
• Operate machinery safely; report faults promptly; keep equipment clean; change vacuum bags regularly; use equipment only for its intended task; observe safety signs and circuit breakers where appropriate.
• Store cleaning materials securely; report security concerns or unlocked storerooms.
• Dispose of waste, recyclables and clinical waste correctly and report any mismanagement of waste handling.

Food Services:

• Assist with regeneration process of cook-chill meals by recording temperatures and preparing meals for patient service; handle end-to-end regeneration process including final plating where required.
• Ensure safety gear (oven gloves, cloths) are used and laundered regularly.
• Assist with serving and clearing meals where applicable; clean crockery and cutlery used for patient meals.

Laundry Service (where applicable to specific areas):

• Launder, dry and finish patient clothing, duvet covers, duvets and curtains appropriately; re-process or iron items failing to standard; label patient items.
• Keep dirty/soiled items separate from clean items to minimize cross-infection risk; place items in the designated laundry area after processing.
• Maintain a clean laundry area and complete cleaning/checklists to evidence tasks completed to standard.
• Keep washing machines and tumble driers clean; report faulty machinery to the Supervisor promptly.

Portering:

• Deliver and collect items (pharmacy boxes, medical records where applicable, clean linen, bread, milk, general stores, meal trolleys, dirty linen, waste, etc.); obtain signatures as required; support public areas and assist with weekend/Bank Holiday tidiness.
• Sort, deliver and collect mail; frank post for collection as instructed.
• Perform ad-hoc tasks (e.g., transporting patients with nursing staff, medical gases, specimens, furniture setup) as required; ensure medical gas supplies are maintained and monitored in wards; decant and deliver liquid nitrogen where needed; operate safe waste disposal equipment.
• Attend community site buildings using Trust vehicle for ad-hoc work; assist with unloading/loading; keep site and car parks clear of litter; assist with access in emergencies; participate in fire response and safety procedures as required; gritting and snow clearance during severe weather.

This advert closes on Thursday 6 Nov 2025.