Housekeeper Theatres AGH

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Working Relationships

Internal

Patients, theatre personnel, anaesthetists, surgeons and surgical teams.

External

Visitors to theatres, relatives, ward personnel, housekeeping, pottering and estates Teams.

Liaises With

Theatre team leaders, theatre nurses and ODPs and theatre support workers.

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 department and to apply specialist-cleaning methods using appropriate materials and equipment where necessary.

Key Duties:

• Clean allocated work areas to the agreed standards and frequencies as detailed in work schedules, theatre department, corridors, communal areas, office space ect.

The recording of information so that accurate records of processes are 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 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 replenish supplies of paper hand towels, toilet rolls, soap, hand sanitizer and hand conditioner.

To carry out high and low level cleaning using the correct method and equipment.

Ensure that all work is carried out in a safe manner and hazard warning signs are displayed.

Comply with the Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.

Report defective equipment to the team leader/department lead and estates.

Clean equipment after use.

Use all cleaning chemicals in a safe and appropriate manner.

Working at heights as required.

To assist with appropriate audits and water flushing according to policy.

Participation in annual personal development review and unit meetings.

• Replenish scrub clothing in Main Theatres.

• Routine cleaning of sinks two full cleans daily.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• General cleaning experience
• Experience of working in a patient care setting or customer-facing environment
• Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

• Cleaning experience in a healthcare or similar environment
• Experience in use of cleaning equipment
• Experience of shift working
• Experience of working within the peri-operative setting

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Polite
• Understand and carry out instructions accurately
• Good self-organisation skills
• Positive attitude Ability to communicate with staff, patients and visitors
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with a team
• Effective communication skills written and verbal
• Self-confidence with an approachable persona
• Self-awareness in assessing own knowledge, competence and boundaries

Desirable

• Ability to adapt to new situations
• Ability to identify own personal development needs

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• The candidate must have knowledge of the following or be prepared to undertake
• the relevant training
• Good verbal, literacy and communication skills
• Ability to maintain accurate and legible records
• Computer literate (use of IT software packages e.g. Word, Email)
• Basic Health & Safety
• Manual Handling
• Basic Food Hygiene
• Customer Care
• COSHH

Desirable

• Basic knowledge of
• electrical safety
• Understanding of manual handling practices and policies
• Awareness of Health and Safety

Other Job Requirements

Essential

• Working with hazardous chemicals
• Safe removal of body fluids
• Working at Height
• Occasional exposure to distressing circumstances e.g. vulnerable patients
• Bank Holiday working will be required.
• Vision and Values:
• As a representative of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, you are expected to uphold our core values:
• Being open and honest
• Ensuring people feel cared for
• Showing respect to everyone
• These values guide daily conduct and ensure inclusive, compassionate service delivery, fostering a culture of transparency, empathy, and respect for all.
• 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.
• Records Management:
• All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records that they gather, create or use as part of their work within the Trust (including patient, financial, personnel, and administrative), whether paper or computer-based. All such records are considered public records, and all employees have a legal duty of confidence to service users. Employees should consult their manager if they have any doubt as to the correct management of records with which they work.
• 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 ongoing initiatives for an eventual smoke-free environment. It aims to adhere to the Worcestershire Health Community Campaign to help Worcestershire stop smoking.
• 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 cooperate 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. Post holders may periodically be asked to undertake a re-check.
• Equality and Diversity:
• The Trust promotes policies and practices that challenge discrimination, promote equality, respect individual needs, preferences and choices, and protect 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 always comply with the detail of these policies and the law. Any issues or concerns you have should be taken up with your manager or the human resources team as soon as possible.
• Dignity:
• All employees must treat each person as an individual, always offering a personalised service respecting peoples dignity and modesty.
• 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.

Qualifications

Essential

• Basic standard of education including Maths and English Grade C GCSE or equivalent or willingness to complete Functional Skills Level 2
• Cleaning experience in a Healthcare Or similar environment.
• Experience in use of cleaning equipment

Desirable

• NVQ Level 1 & 2 in Cleaning and Support services

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

The Alexandra Hospital

Woodrow Drive

Redditch

Worcestershire

B987UB

Employer's website

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