Housekeeper

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Ward Housekeeper to join the ward team. You will help coordinate patient facilities, ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable environment while delivering cleaning, catering and minor maintenance tasks.

You will work closely with contractors and support services, maintain quality standards, and rectify deficiencies. The role emphasises teamwork, reliability and safeguarding patient care within our NHS Trust.

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship in Health Level 2 or QCF Diploma level 2 Health.
• Numeracy and Literacy Level 1 or equivalent.
• Evidence of full time education achievements.
• IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills, data collection.
• Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training for required clinical activities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve patient breakfasts around 07:00.
• Distribute/collect patient menus for lunch/supper; check bed changes; lunch menus by 09:00.
• Liaise with Catering for lunch and supper delivery; assist delivering trays.
• Conduct mid-morning/afternoon tea/refreshment rounds; at least 7 drinks per day.
• Provide drinks at bedside; ensure fresh water unless advised otherwise.
• Collect used meal trays, cutlery and crockery promptly.
• Maintain ward pantry cleanliness; ensure fridge temperatures are correct.
• Stock Rotation (FIFO): rotate stock; check expiry dates and use older items first.

Skills

Teamwork

Time management

Education

Health Level 2 Apprenticeship

Numeracy & Literacy Level 1

Education achievements

IT skills

Willingness to train

Job description

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

The post holder will work as an integral part of the ward team. He/she will assist in the coordination of all patient facilities/services in the ward area and to ensure a clean, safe and comfortable environment. The main elements of the role are ensuring the delivery of cleaning, catering and minor maintenance, together with other specified tasks to meet patient needs, as determined by the Supervisory Sister. The post holder will work closely with contractors and support services departments as directed by the Supervisory Sister. He/she will assist in maintaining quality standards and rectify deficiencies.

Main duties of the job

• Prepare and serve patient breakfasts (e.g., cereals, toast) around 07:00.
• Distribute/collect patient menus for lunch/supper, checking for bed changes and new admissions. Lunch menus must be collected by 09:00.
• Liaise with Catering for lunch and supper delivery; assist delivering trays.
• Conduct mid-morning/afternoon tea/refreshment rounds (at least 7 drinks must be offered per day).
• Provide drinks as requested, ensuring fresh water is available at the bedside (unless advised otherwise).
• Collect used meal trays, cutlery and crockery promptly.
• Maintain ward pantry cleanliness and ensure fridge temperatures are correct.
• Stock Rotation (FIFO): Always practice "First In, First Out" when managing food supplies. Check expiry dates carefully and rotate stock to use older items first (critical for milk, bread, and nutritional supplements).

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Housekeeping involves a large amount of essential but often invisible work. Cleaning cupboards, shelves, and trolleys; keeping pantries organised; restocking PPE; maintaining the nutritional drinks fridge; and decluttering the ward all require continuity and time. These tasks only become noticeable when they stop being done, which is why they must be protected within the daily workload. Housekeepers support the clinical team by taking responsibility for the non‑clinical routines that allow nurses and HCAs to devote time to patient care.

Person specification

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Be able to work as a member of a team
• Experience of time management skills and prioritising work

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a health or social care setting

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Apprenticeship in Health Level 2 or QCF Diploma level 2 Health (NB: Although this qualification is essential for the role, applicants without the relevant course will be expecte
• Numeracy and Literacy Level 1 or equivalent
• Evidence of full time education achievements
• IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills, data collection
• Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training for required clinical activities

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
• Able to demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
• Able to adapt quickly to changing situations
• Committed to providing high quality patient care

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.