Housekeeper - Nicol Unit

Job description

Job responsibilities

Meeting Nutritional Requirements

To assist patients to order food that meets their dietary requirements. Assisting ISS catering staff in the ordering of food that meets the patients dietary requirement and ensuring the relevant diet strips are above the patient beds

To check that the patients kitchen is stock with dietary supplements to meet the needs of the patients, as prescribed by a dietician.

Ensure dietary supplements are in date and that stock is correctly rotated.

To receive the meal trolley and to take charge of the meal service, during breakfast and lunchtime service, when it arrives on the ward.

To ensure that all patients receive their meals in a timely manner and that any discrepancies in patient orders are dealt with in conjunction with nursing staff and main kitchen.

To oversee the distribution of the meal service so that the Red Tray scheme is adhered to and protected mealtimes, as applicable.

To inform nurses of any meals that have not been eaten or evidence of a reduced appetite, which may need to be recorded on the patient chart as part of the dietary intake.

To promote a pleasant environment for eating, i.e. remove clutter from tables and ensuring patients are ready to receive their meal and that handwipes are available

To work in conjunction with the hostess to ensure that the patients fridge temperature is checked and accurately monitored and recorded and to ensure food is labelled and stored correctly, as per the Trust policy.

To ensure adherence to the protected mealtime policy.

To take responsibility for the staff fridge temperature checks, dispose of any out of date items and clean on a regular basis.

To take responsibility for the daily drug fridge temperature checks and to notify the nurse in charge or pharmacy technician of any drugs that are no longer required or are out of date.

Maintaining the Environment

To ensure all requirements for maintenance/repairs to equipment are reported in a timely manner via the intranet.

To monitor response times of any maintenance discrepancies that have been reported, within own remit.

To ensure patients lockers and bed side tables are kept clean and tidy, working in conjunction with the ISS domestic and clinical staff.

To maintain the cleanliness of all nursing equipment, to include; drip stands, pumps, dressing trolleys, computers on wheels, SEND/obs machines.

To maintain the cleanliness of the ward workable area i.e. nursing station to include wiping down of computers, workspaces and chairs. To work in conjunction with the ward clerk and progress chaser to ensure the area is kept visibly clean and clutter free.

In accordance with Trust policy and COSHH, ensure that there is a plentiful supply of Tristel available daily and replenished every 24 hours.

To ensure that the commodes are checked and cleaned in the sluice.

To ensure that the sluice supplies are well-stocked e.g. clinical supplies.

To ensure that that are adequate supplies of spillage kits.

For audit purposes, to maintain the cleaning records for the sluice.

Work in conjunction with the cleaning team, particularly on floor cleaning day, to supervise the movement of patients and assist the team by advising which equipment can be moved/unplugged etc. and to ensure the activities are carried out safely and in a dignified manner.

To ensure that all nursing equipment is correctly set up during the cleaning process to ensure patient safety

To liaise with the nurse in charge daily and check that the infection prevention advisory boards are up to date to promote the safety of all patients, staff and visitors

To daily check that the suction units work at each bed space, report any discrepancies and to ensure that the correct equipment is available and connected to maintain patient safety.

General

To ensure personal privacy, dignity and confidentiality is maintained.

To file patients records in the absence of the Ward Aide.

To respond to telephone calls in a courteous manner.

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

To ensure the cost-effective use of resources.

To respond to patients concerns through communication with nursing staff.

To respond to emergency protocols as appropriate

To maintain effective working relationships.

To promote effective communication with patients, colleagues, other health care staff and visitors to the trust.

Maintain a professional image at all times.

To assist with the logistics on the ward in ensuring that the ward has enough linens and PPE

Training and Education Role

The post holder will acknowledge their limitations in relation to any delegated task that they do not feel competent to perform.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Literacy and Numeracy Skills
• 4 GCSEs or equivalent

Desirable

• Basic Food Hygiene
• IT Skills

Experience

Essential

• Proven to have good verbal and written communication skills
• Effective time management skills

Desirable

• Previous experience of stock ordering

Skills

Essential

• Awareness of patient and ward confidentiality
• Able to manage time effectively
• Awareness of housekeeping in a health care setting
• Good organisational skills
• An understanding of the NHS

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Able to work as an effective team member
• Able to adapt to work in a busy environment where there may be frequent interruptions
• Commitment to personal development
• Ability to manage own workload under the guidance of supervisor

Other

Essential

• Aware of current NHS issues and priorities
• Have an awareness of clinical waste management and health and safety

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Stratford Hospital

Arden Street

Stratford upon Avon

CV37 6NX

Employer's website

https://www.swft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)