Senior Housekeeper

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Patient Related Duties

1. To liaise with the cleaning contractor/in-house housekeeping services/Monitoring Officers to ensure that cleaning standards on the Wards meet the agreed specification and any unsatisfactory areas are rectified.

2. To provide supervision and guidance to domestic staff to ensure that standards and policies are met.

3. To liaise with the nursing and housekeeping team regarding the patient’s day, ensuring that work is planned in the most appropriate way to provide a patient focused and seamless service.

4. To carry out nutritional assessments on patients using the MUST Tool (following training and assessment of competence) and support nursing staff to do the same.

5. To ensure, in conjunction with the Ward coordinator, that patients are provided with appropriate beverages at regular intervals throughout the day. To make and serve beverages to relatives as instructed by the nursing staff and to ensure that patients have the necessary access to beverages throughout their stay in hospital.

6. To ensure that all patients have completed menu cards, giving assistance where necessary, and ensuring appropriate selections are made dependent on the patient’s dietary requirements. Ensure that the menus are returned to the Catering Department by the required time.

7. To ensure, in conjunction with the Catering Department that patient meals are served in a presentable and timely manner and that appropriate cutlery and condiments are supplied.

8. Assist with feeding dependent patients (following training and assessment of competence) and document accordingly.

9. To ensure that at the end of every meal and beverage service all cutlery, crockery and condiments are removed from the patient area and correctly stored, disposed of or returned to the main kitchen. To ensure that all meal tables and eating areas are suitably prepared for meal times and to make sure they are wiped clean at the end of each meal. To offer assistance to patients before and after meals to cleanse their hands.

10. To ensure patients have an appropriate supply of drinking water and a clean glass.

11. To physically ensure that patients can reach their food and assist patients as necessary e.g. Removing lids and cutting up food where required.

12. To be involved in the distribution of patient satisfaction questionnaires to patients.

13. To maintain patient privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.

Environmental Duties

1. To ensure that patients are provided with a litter bag at the bedside and that they are emptied and replenished regularly.

2. To establish a programme for the planned changing of curtains in bays, side rooms and windows, ensuring that spares are available.  Change curtains on an ad-hoc basis as required.

3. To ensure that patient’s lockers, tables and chairs are clean and free of litter at all times.

4. To ensure that all alcohol gel dispensers, paper towels and soap for hand hygiene are replenished, thus contributing to the prevention of cross-infection from one patient to another.

5. To clean medical equipment as required in conjunction with nursing staff. Ensure that all patient equipment (e.g. hoist slings) is kept clean and in a usable condition.

6. To monitor the general Ward environment, co-ordinate necessary repairs and maintain records  of reported defects and remedial action taken.  Following agreed training, change spent light bulbs in angle poised over bed lamps.

5. To ensure that following discharge of a patient, the bed area and locker is cleaned and the bed re-made in preparation for incoming patients e.g. disinfecting wash bowls, soap and paper towels are replenished, and general tidying of all areas including the sluice.

6. To take responsibility for the hygiene standards within the Ward kitchen. To monitor fridge temperatures and take corrective action where necessary.  Ensure any food in Ward fridges is labelled, dated and disposed of if not correctly labelled.

7. To take responsibility for the day room, relatives room, staff coffee room and reception area/office in ensuring that these areas are kept clean and are welcoming for patients and relatives. To ensure when necessary that a bed is made up in the relatives’ room.

8. To establish a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere and environment for patients, visitors and staff alike.

9. To ensure all types of waste are segregated and disposed of into the correct waste streams, implement Trust’s waste minimisation and recycling initiatives, monitoring compliance and results and providing information to staff at all levels.

10. To ensure all waste disposal bins are kept in good condition and are cleaned to ensure no cross infection.

Management Duties

1. To assist in the ordering of any supplies required and to ensure stock is appropriately stored, rotated and controlled.

2. To establish and maintain effective communication links with Ward staff and other service providers.  To actively promote the importance of good housekeeping practices amongst all Ward staff and visitors.

3. Where appropriate to the grade undertake such duties as deemed necessary as directed by the Senior Team Leader, or, in their absence, the Ward co-ordinator in order to assist the Ward Team to carry out patient care, ensuring patient’s needs are met.

4. Co-operate with the Trust in maintaining suitable standards of health and safety, including  adhering to all Trust policies and procedures.  Always work in compliance with rules and working practices. Report all unsafe situations, incidents and accidents as appropriate.

5. To be fully conversant with COSHH regulations and assist with training and education of staff related to this.

6. To report any non-compliance with the Trusts’ waste policies and procedures to the relevant department managers.

7. To complete Trust mandatory training through liaison with the Senior Team Leader and facilities manager.

8. To respond to complaints from patients and relatives which relate to facilities and housekeeping services, supporting nursing staff and ameliorating stressful situations.

9. To contribute to the unit’s staff education programme via formal presentation sessions and informal discussions: specifically in relation to waste management, stock control, product/equipment hire and resource utilisation awareness.

10. To participate in the orientation programmes of new nursing staff in order to familiarise them with the remit of the Housekeeper’s role and appraise them of facilities services.

11. Contribute to the organising of unit study days, specific responsibilities relating to catering arrangements and the distribution of information packs.

12. Monitor product/equipment hire on the unit in order to minimise costs; to include checking  invoices and investigating billing anomalies.

13. Representing the Unit at facilities meetings within the wider organisation.

14. Attend relevant study days/conferences in order to develop and enhance service provision.

15. Assist in the sourcing and contacting of nursing staff via NHSP or overtime routes in order to  cover sickness or other absence.

16. Monitoring and checking disposable and non-disposable MSSE and sterile supplies against agreed stock levels.

17. Participation in new product/equipment trials and evaluations.

18. To undertake role of ‘link person’ for the ward/unit in an appropriate capacity as agreed by Matron.

19.   To have a personal development plan and annual appraisal with the Senior Team Leader.