Job responsibilities
Post Title: House Keeper
Pay Band: Band 3
Hours: 30
Contract: Permanent
Location / Department: Aconbury 1 Cardiology/Aconbury 2 CCU
Accountable to: Ward Sister
Reports to: Ward Manager
Job Purpose:
The post holder will work as an integral part of the clinical ward / area team and to be responsible for the co-ordination of all patient facilities/ services in the ward area, ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable environment. The main element of the role is ensuring and supporting the delivery of cleaning, catering and minor maintenance, together with other specified tasks to meet individual patients needs, as determined by the ward sister/charge nurse.The post holder will work co-operatively with colleagues, as part of the team and perform additional duties as and when directed by the ward clinical team, to enable nursing staff to undertake direct patient care.
Key Duties:
When required greet patients and visitors to the area being mindful for good relationships between patients, staff and relatives
Communicate effectively and work as part of the ward and with other team members and patients and carers recognising their needs.
Co-ordinate any special dietary requirements patients meals and ensure patients have access to information about the out of hours menu information and communicate with the Catering Department.
To liaise with maintenance staff to ensure that equipment is in working order
Handle individual patient requests as they arise
Organise and update notice boards as appropriate
Ensure written patient information is in date and given to patients when appropriate.
Maintain a high standard of personal behaviour and ensure effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients carers and relatives.
Act as a point of contact for ward based volunteers, providing local induction and day to day guidance
Vision and Values:
The Trust aims to provide local services for local people. It has developed its vision to reflect this commitment.
Driving this commitment are the Trust-wide signature behaviours:
We are committed to delivering outstanding care and creating a culture where everyone feels respected, valued and supported. We seek individuals who share our purpose of helping people live healthier, more fulfilling lives, and who are motivated by our mission to be the best team we can be. You will be expected to uphold our values by communicating openly, acting with kindness, showing respect for others and taking responsibility for your actions. These values guide how we work together and continually improve the care we provide.
Our values are:
- Being open and honestwe all communicate clearly and honestly, asking for help when we need it, and making it easier for the people around us to share ideas and concerns.
- Ensuring people feel cared forwe all take responsibility for actively supporting and nurturing a kind and compassionate environment for ourselves and others.
- Showing respect for everyonewe all act with consideration and fairness, valuing each other as individuals and appreciating our different perspectives
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.
Personal and people development
Take responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the domestic staff on a day to day basis
Take responsibility for personal updating and development, including mandatory training Development Review Process
Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development.
Participate in the Trust Appraisal System
Work with management on any new training requirements.
Demonstrate skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
Ensure that Patients information booklets are always available on the locker.
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.
General Issues
Ensure the ward is tidy and clutter free throughout, and that doors to non -patient areas remain closed at all times.
Participate in the use of environmental checklists and cleaning audits in line with Trust policy
Monitor the general environment and organize and co-ordinate any repairs and follow up outstanding work as necessary.
Liaise with maintenance staff to ensure that equipment is in working order
In line with the Trusts Incident Reporting system. Report any accidents, incidents, near misses and defects to the nurse in charge
Order and receive stock including pharmacy where appropriate and maintaining appropriate levels.
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.Further to this, The Alexandra, Kidderminster and Worcestershire Royal Hospitals, have all become smoke free to all patients and visitors as of 17 June 2015. This means that, as well as staff, members of the public, patients and visitors are not allowed to smoke in any of the acute 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.
