Job summary
As a Ward Housekeeper, you will play a vital part in creating a positive and comfortable experience for patients during their stay. Working at the heart of the ward environment, you will provide an individualised, high-quality food and beverage service that supports each patient's nutritional needs.
You will work closely with the ward dietitian to ensure meals are appropriately fortified and tailored to clinical requirements, helping patients receive the nourishment they need for recovery. Your attention to detail, compassion, and commitment to excellent service will make you an essential member of the ward team.
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day, supporting patient wellbeing through thoughtful, personalised care and a consistently high standard of service.
Main duties of the job
- Explain the menu system to new patients' and liaise on a daily basis with the patients' and family members regarding meal preferences and appetites, taking into account any cultural and religious choices.
- To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special dietary needs and medical requirements.
- To ensure in conjunction with the nursing staff that discharged and newly admitted patient's meal requirements are actioned.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our valuesWe not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities
- Explain the menu system to new patients and liaise on a daily basis with the patients and family members regarding meal preferences and appetites, taking into account any cultural and religious choices.
- To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special dietary needs and medical requirements.
- To liaise closely with the ward dietitian and ensure appropriate fortification of foods at ward level, as detailed by the dietitian.
- To ensure that each patient receives their chosen meal, have any assistance they require to eat and drink (red tray/beaker system) and to record food intake on food record charts, in conjunction with nursing staff.
- To ensure all food and beverages are served at the correct temperature in accordance with Food Hygiene Regulations
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities
- Explain the menu system to new patients and liaise on a daily basis with the patients and family members regarding meal preferences and appetites, taking into account any cultural and religious choices.
- To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special dietary needs and medical requirements.
- To liaise closely with the ward dietitian and ensure appropriate fortification of foods at ward level, as detailed by the dietitian.
- To ensure that each patient receives their chosen meal, have any assistance they require to eat and drink (red tray/beaker system) and to record food intake on food record charts, in conjunction with nursing staff.
- To ensure all food and beverages are served at the correct temperature in accordance with Food Hygiene Regulations
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Ability to speak, understand, read and write English Post registration
Desirable
- Food Hygiene Certificate
- Allergen Training
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working in a food environment
Desirable
- Health & Safety Knowledge/ Training
- COSHH & HACCP Understanding
Knowledge
Essential
- Worked in a Hospital or Care Home environment
- An understanding of Health & Safety Procedure
Desirable
- Works well in a team and unsupervised
Personal Skills
Essential
- Strong communication skills - written and verbal
Desirable
- Experience of dealing with Customers in a Clinical/catering/retail environment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Ability to speak, understand, read and write English Post registration
Desirable
- Food Hygiene Certificate
- Allergen Training
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working in a food environment
Desirable
- Health & Safety Knowledge/ Training
- COSHH & HACCP Understanding
Knowledge
Essential
- Worked in a Hospital or Care Home environment
- An understanding of Health & Safety Procedure
Desirable
- Works well in a team and unsupervised
Personal Skills
Essential
- Strong communication skills - written and verbal
Desirable
- Experience of dealing with Customers in a Clinical/catering/retail environment
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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