Housekeeper - Alexandra Ward

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Be responsible for ensuring ward has all supplies required for services to function anticipating spikes in usage and ordering sufficient where appropriate.

Discuss and report any concerns about lack of supplies to Ward Manager or Matron, developing solutions where possible.

Be responsible for ensuring all equipment maintained and is fit for use. Bring any lack of equipment to notice of Ward Manager / Matron and order new equipment when authorised.

Lead development and input of information for equipment log – including organising all annual servicing liaising with nurse in charge / Matron / medical equipment department / companies who supply equipment.

Assist with the maintenance of the environment, including all equipment used.

Help maintain the cleanliness of the environment.

Establish and maintain effective communication with staff.

Provide accurate and effective written documentation.

To take part in audits around environment on the ward and take actions if required.

Trouble shoot any actions that come up as part of the monthly audits that are undertaken relating to the environment. 

To help with lost property on the ward and help reconcile lost items to patients.

Ensure our storage areas are organised and easy to navigate on a daily basis. This includes shelves dedicated to dietary supplies and, for example, cardiac monitoring equipment or moving and handling equipment.

Ensure that all areas of the ward, including corridors, storage areas and clinical rooms such as the IV room and sluices are kept organised, clutter free,  clean and tidy at all times.

To work with the domestic team and nursing team to ensure the above. 

To regularly audit, escalate and resolve any issues around fixtures or fittings on the ward such as broken chairs or electrical fittings. 

To help patients with their enquiries on the ward and assist in tasks such as getting newspapers for patients etc. 

To help with patient satisfaction surveys.

To help with administrative tasks such as laminating and visual information on the ward such as ensuring that the ward information boards are up to date and current. 

To help with any other activity or task that the ward sisters or matron feels is appropriate to your job role. 

Health and Safety

Report and accidents or incidents to the nurse in charge and complete the appropriate paperwork in line with Trust Policy.

Reporting and recording any potential hazards and equipment repairs.

Assist in the cleaning of clinical areas and equipment, ensuring that the area is clear of potential hazards, removing clinical waste and contaminated items to relevant collection areas.

To assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean clinical environment to reduce the risk of infection.

Infection Control

Accept personal responsibility and accountability for your infection prevention and control practice.

Ensure that you are familiar with, and comply with, all relevant policies.

Ensure that you receive mandatory updates in infection control.

The post holder is required to follow Trust policies and procedures which are regularly updated including:

Confidentiality / Data Protection / Freedom of Information

Post holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 1998. Post holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to an unauthorised person those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1998 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.

Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2005, post holders must apply the Trust’s FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.

Equal Opportunities Post holders must at all times fulfil their responsibilities with regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy and equality laws.

Health and Safety

All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the Trust’s health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.

Infection Control

All post holders have a personal obligation to act to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the Trust to reduce HCAIs. Post holders must be familiar with the Trust’s Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as Hand Decontamination Policy, Personal Protective Equipment Policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques and safe disposal of sharps.

Risk Management

All post holders have a responsibility to report risks such as clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly. They are expected to be familiar with the Trust’s use of risk assessments to predict and control risk, as well as the incident reporting system for learning from mistakes and near misses in order to improve services. Post holders must also attend training identified by their manager or stated by the Trust to be mandatory.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

Post holders have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Smoking Policy

It is the Trust’s policy to promote health. Smoking, therefore, is actively discouraged. It is illegal within Trust buildings and vehicles.

Sustainability

It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact by recycling wherever possible, switching off lights, computers monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water usage and reporting faults promptly.