Ward Housekeeper

NHS Jobs; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Jobs in Gateshead is seeking a dedicated Housekeeper to join the Critical Care Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. You will play an integral role in creating a clean, safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff.

The post requires good communication and organisational skills, a compassionate ethos, and the ability to work as part of a team alongside ward sisters and nurses to deliver high quality care.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths or equivalent required.
• GCSE English or equivalent required.
• NVQ qualification preferred or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Ensure cleaning, catering and minor maintenance per ward needs.
• Assist in preparing and serving hot/cold snacks and meals for patients.
• Help patients eat and drink, respecting dietary needs and privacy.
• Monitor and co-ordinate ward catering supplies and storage.
• Maintain hygiene and safety standards for all food and environment areas.
• Respect patient dignity and confidentiality during housekeeping duties.

Skills

Teamwork

Housekeeping duties

Housekeeper experience

Education

GCSE Maths

GCSE English

NVQ Qualification

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen in Critical Care for a House keeper.

We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual to join our Critical Care Department.

The post holder will work as an integral part of the team and will be responsible for ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable environment.

You will need to possess good communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

The successful candidate must be caring, compassionate and possess a positive attitude to supporting colleagues in the delivery of high quality, safe, effective care for our patients.

Main duties of the job

The main elements of the role are ensuring the delivery of cleaning, catering and minor maintenance, together with other specified tasks to meet individual patient needs, as determined by the ward sister/charge nurse.

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Job responsibilities

To assist in monitoring and maintaining cleaning standards on the ward.

To ensure general and specialist equipment, e.g drip stands and medical equipment are cleaned as per cleaning policy.

To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special needs and medical requirement.

To prepare and serve hot/cold snacks as requested.

To serve meals in conjunction with the nursing team, ensuring patients intake is known and that their dietary needs are met.

To provide people with assistance to eat and drink eg cutting up food, placing food and drinks within reach, encouraging patients to eat.

To feed patients as directed by the nursing team.

To ensure all food and beverages are served at the correct temperature according to food hygiene regulations.

To prepare areas where food and beverages are served/consumed to ensure a pleasant environment for patients.

To take responsibility for the ward catering supplies, ensuring storage areas are clean at all times, eg discarding out of date food, stock rotation.

To ensure refrigerated food is labelled and stored correctly as per policy.

To ensure in conjunction with the ward nurse that discharged and newly admitted patients meal requirements are actioned.

To co-ordinate extra meal requirements that may arise.

To ensure that patients whose fluid intake is not medically restricted have access to fresh water.

To carry out monitoring of service delivery, especially related to cleaning, food, linen and the environment, at the agreed frequency.

To inform the ward sister of outcomes of monitoring and agree action plans, ensuring action is taken.

To monitor and co-ordinate other ad hoc maintenance, liaising as required for other services.

To provide household maintenance in line with local policy.

To carry out regular equipment monitoring in accordance with procedures.

To transport and dispose of clinical, domestic and confidential waste as per the policy, eg taking waste to the ward disposal area.

To monitor the access and security and use of premises and facilities.

To respect the privacy and dignity of patients whilst carrying out housekeeping duties.

To minimise the potential for adverse behaviour and security breaches.

To use communication skills to manage any aggressive and abusive behaviour.

To ensure the safe storage of equipment.

To ensure equipment is in good working order and equipment repairs are carried out in line with Trust policy.

To receive, welcome and guide visitors on arrival to 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.

To receive and pass on information to others, maintaining confidentiality.

To help resolve patients concerns and take appropriate action.

To be aware of any new food hygiene standards changes to waste categorisation etc.

To maintain effective working relationships and adhere to people's equality and diversity rights.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths, or equivalent
• GCSE English, or equivalent
• NVQ Qualification

Experience / Skills

• Ability to work effectively within a team
• Awareness of basic Housekeeping duties
• Previous experience working as a housekeeper

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.

Critical Care Department Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Critical Care Department Queen Elizabeth Hospital