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.
