Job responsibilities
WORCESTERSHIRE ACUTE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title: Housekeeping
Assistant
Pay Band:
2
Hours:
Contract: Permanent
Location / Department: Kidderminster treatment centre
Accountable to: Facilities Manager
Reports
to: Housekeeping
Services Supervisor
Ref:
Key Working Relationships:
Ward and
Departmental staff; patients and visitors.
Job Purpose:
To assist in maintaining a clean and hygienic environment
for patients, staff and visitors. To
carry out general cleaning duties in all areas of the hospital and to apply
specialist-cleaning methods using appropriate materials and equipment where
necessary.
Key
Duties:
Clean allocated work area to the
agreed standards and frequencies as detailed in work schedules
Carry our specialised cleaning
tasks; including isolation rooms, theatres etc. to agreed standards.
To decontaminate rooms as requested
using specialist Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour equipment in line with IPCT
guidelines. This will include recording
information so that an accurate record of processes is maintained.
Have the ability to follow
instructions and to suggest changes in working practices
Undertake the safe removal of body
fluid spillages in public and communal areas in line with IPCT guidelines
Occasional exposure to distressing
circumstances e.g. vulnerable/aggressive patients
Wear
the correct PPE at all times and in line with IPCT guidelines
To clean using the correct method,
equipment and materials.
Remove waste from work area and
place at collection points in line with departmental procedures
To undertake the cleaning of all
surfaces including edges, ledges, fixtures and fittings.
To undertake the cleaning of all
hard and soft floors using the correct method and equipment.
To clean sanitary areas using the
correct method and equipment.
To carry out high and low level
cleaning using the correct method and equipment.
To replenish supplies of paper hand
towels, toilet rolls, soap, hand sanitizer and hand conditioner.
Carry out specialised cleaning as
specified by the housekeeping supervisor.
Ensure that all work is carried out
in a safe manner and hazard warning signs are displayed.
Adhere to the departmental colour
coding policy.
Comply with the Trust Infection
Control policies and procedures.
Use mechanical equipment as
required.
Report defective equipment to the
housekeeping supervisor.
Clean equipment after use
High cleaning vents and lights
Use all cleaning chemicals in a safe
and appropriate manner.
Vision and Values:
The Trust aims to provide local services for local people.
It has developed its vision to reflect this commitment.
To continue to be the major provider of acute/specialist
services for the people of Worcestershire (and wider) with a strong reputation
for providing outstanding, high quality, reliable, accessible and integrated
healthcare for local people
Driving this commitment are the Trust-wide signature
behaviours:
Do what we say we will do
No Delays, every day
We listen, we learn, we lead
Work together, celebrate together
Standard Clauses:
The purpose of this post should
remain constant, but the duties and responsibilities may vary over time within
the overall role and level of the post.
The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other
reasonable duties. Any such changes will
be made in discussion with the post holder in the light of service needs.
Competence
The post holder is responsible for
limiting his / her actions to those which s/he feels competent to
undertake. If the post holder has any
doubts as to his or her competence during the course of his / her duties then
s/he should immediately speak to their line manager or supervisor.
Codes
of conduct
All employees of the Trust who are
required to be registered with a professional body, to enable them to practise
within their profession, are required to comply with their code of conduct and
requirements of their professional registration. Those staff that are not required to be
registered with a professional body are required to comply with the Trusts
codes of conduct.
Confidentiality
The post holder must maintain
confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients,
staff and other Health Service business.
.Health and Safety
Employees must be aware of the
responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992) and all relevant Trust
Health and Safety Policies and Guidance.
This ensures that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to
maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors to the Trust.
Infection
Control
Employees must accept personal
responsibility and accountability for Infection Prevention and Control
practice. Employees should ensure they
are familiar with, and comply with, all relevant Infection Control policies for
minimising the risk of avoidable Health Care Associated Infection. All Employees must undertake annual mandatory
updates in Infection Control.
Non
Smoking Policy
The
Trusts approach to smoking is in line with the governments on-going
initiatives for an eventual smoke-free environment. It aims to adhere to
the Worcestershire Health Community Campaign to help Worcestershire stop
smoking.
A no
smoking environment policy exists within all Trust premises including entrances
and exits to hospital buildings and on other Trust property (with the exception
of staff resident in staffresidences, as these are the homes of staff).
In June 2014 a ban was implanted which meant staff, contractors and volunteers
were no longer permitted to smoke in any of the hospital grounds, including car
parks.
Risk
Management
It is a standard element of the role
and responsibility of all employees of the Trust that they fulfil a proactive
role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations,
taking appropriate actions, and reporting all incidents, near misses, and
hazards promptly. It is a contractual
obligation that all employees must co-operate with any investigations
undertaken.
Children
and vulnerable adults
You have a responsibility for
promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children / young people /
vulnerable adults that you come into contact with or are responsible for in
your job role and sphere of competence.
Disclosure
and Barring Service
The Trust aims to promote equality
of opportunity for all, with the right mix of talent, skills and
potential. Criminal records will be
taken into account for recruitment purposes, only when the conviction is
relevant. As the Trust meets the
requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject
to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the
appointment is confirmed. This will
include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as
convictions. Postholders may
periodically be asked to undertake a re-check.
The Trust is legally required to
check all staff against the Disclosures and Barring Services Childrens and
Vulnerable Adults barring lists if they engage in what is defined as Regulated
Activity or Controlled Activity: Regulated Activity is defined as working
closely with children or vulnerable adults, paid or unpaid, on a frequent or
intensive basis. Controlled activity is
work that provides opportunities for contact with children or vulnerable
adults.
Equality and Diversity
The Trust promotes policies and
practices that challenge discrimination, promote equality, respect individual
needs, preferences and choices, and protects human rights. The Trust has a clear commitment to equality
for all in employment practices based on an applicants ability, skills and
aptitude for the post. A range of
equality & diversity policy initiatives are in place and all successful
applicants are expected to familiarise themselves with these. It is therefore the duty of every employee to
comply with the detail and spirit of these policies and the law at all
times. Any issues or concerns you have
should be taken up with your manager or the human resource team as soon as
possible.
Dignity
All employees must treat each person
as an individual, offering a personalised service respecting peoples dignity
and modesty at all times.
Conflict
of Interest
The Trust is responsible for
ensuring that the service provided for patients and its care meet the highest
standard. Equally, it is responsible
for ensuring that staff do not abuse their official position for personal gain
or to benefit their family or friends.
The Trusts Standing Orders require any member of staff to declare any
interest, direct or indirect, with contracts involving the Trust. Staff are not allowed to further their
private interests in the course of their NHS duties.
