Housekeeper | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional NHS healthcare provider in Liverpool seeks a full-time Housekeeper to support the ward team in delivering cleaning and catering services. The ideal candidate will ensure a clean, safe environment for patients and assist nursing staff with meal prep and dietary needs. This role offers permanent employment within a busy NHS setting, and requires attention to detail, communication skills, and a commitment to hygiene standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in cleaning and catering services.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Understanding of hygiene standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining cleaning standards on the ward.
• Prepare and serve meals in conjunction with the nursing team.
• Conduct regular equipment monitoring.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Time management

Job description

Overview

Housekeeper — Band 2 — Full time (37.5 hours) — Permanent. The post holder will work as an integral part of the ward team and will be responsible for the co-ordination of all patient facilities services in the ward areas and to ensure a clean, safe and comfortable environment. The main elements of the role are delivering cleaning, catering, and minor maintenance, together with other specified tasks to meet individual patient needs as determined by the ward manager sister/charge nurse. The post holder will work closely with support services and departments, monitor quality standards, report deficiencies and take appropriate action, and assist with weekly ward audits. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring all equipment necessary for patient care delivery is available to the nursing staff.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital. We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group aims to improve the care we provide our patients. UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities. For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS, providing general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West. Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside, Broadgreen Hospital supports elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, Liverpool Women’s Hospital focuses on health of women and babies, and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital provides inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services. For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page.

Specific Duties

Cleaning

• To assist in monitoring and maintaining cleaning standards on the ward.
• To carry out spot cleaning to ensure spillages are dealt with swiftly and efficiently.
• To ensure general and specialist equipment (e.g. drip stands, incubators, commodes) are cleaned regularly as per cleaning policy.
• To keep the ward safe and tidy at all times (remove clutter, tidy notice boards, signage, etc.).
• To maintain upkeep of patients’ bed areas.
• To identify problems with cleanliness and report to the Nurse in Charge.
• To ensure specialist cleaning of surfaces and furnishings.
• To ensure isolation nursing areas are cleaned appropriately.

Catering

• To prepare and serve hot/cold snacks (e.g. toast) as requested, offering a 24-hour snack service.
• To serve meals in conjunction with the nursing team, ensuring patient intake is known and dietary needs are met.
• To provide eating assistance, e.g. cutting up food, placing food within reach, and encouraging patients to eat.
• To prepare hot/cold beverages and suitable trolley/equipment.
• To prepare areas where food and beverages are served to ensure a pleasant environment for patients.
• To wash all equipment/utensils used in preparation, regenerating, serving and consuming food and beverages.
• To take responsibility for the ward kitchen, keeping it clean (e.g. discarding out-of-date food, stock rotation).
• To label and store refrigerated food correctly as per policy.
• To ensure discharge and newly admitted patients’ meal requirements are actioned in conjunction with the ward nurse.
• To coordinate extra meal requirements as they arise.
• To ensure patients not medically restricted have access to fresh water (e.g. jugs and glasses).

Maintaining the Environment

• To monitor service delivery related to cleaning, food, linen and environment at the agreed frequency.
• To inform the ward sister of monitoring outcomes and agree action plans to ensure action is taken.
• To manage the ward’s defect call log book, logging, reporting, recording and closing defects as appropriate.
• To monitor and coordinate other ad hoc maintenance, liaising with the support service helpdesk as required.
• To provide household maintenance checks in line with local policy and report defects where necessary.
• To carry out regular equipment monitoring in accordance with procedures.
• To transport and dispose of clinical and domestic waste to the ward disposal area.
• To monitor access, security and use of premises and facilities.
• To ensure patient bed space/room is tidy and safe, and to respect privacy and dignity.
• To maintain safety of people’s property and belongings and minimise potential for adverse behaviour and security breaches.
• To use communication skills to manage any aggressive or abusive behaviour.
• To ensure equipment to be returned for reprocessing is stored safely.

General

• To receive, welcome and guide visitors on the ward, liaising with other staff as appropriate.
• To transport equipment, consumables and written information as required.
• To maintain and update paper-based records and information as required.
• To respond to requests for general information and maintain confidentiality.
• To report complaints and take appropriate action.
• To assist with training of ward housekeeping staff to achieve required standards.
• To be aware of new food hygiene standards and changes to waste categorisation.

This advert closes on Monday 15 Sep 2025