Acute Admissions Ward

The Acute Admissions ward is a busy 57 bedded ward based on the Emergency Floor at St Thomas’ Hospital.

We are looking for a housekeeper to join us for a nine month secondment period.

As a Housekeeper your main duties will be around providing a clean and safe environment in which acutely unwell patients can be cared for to a high standard. Although you will not be involved directly in patient care you will be interacting with patients on the ward as well as staff members from a multitude of departments and areas such as stores, the equipment library, the domestic staff etc, ward clerks and ward ward administrators as well as the nursing staff based on the ward.

We are looking for a person with excellent communication skills who is very organised, tidy and focused. You will be working in a very busy environment and you will be required to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team. Basic computer skills are essential.

Although you will not be giving direct patient care you will be interacting with patients on a daily basis.

**Your main duties will include**:

- Ensuring that the ward is adequately stocked over a 7 day period with all essential items necessary to provide care for patients and be able to trouble shoot appropriately where there is a problem.
- to assist in the cleaning and organising of the ward environment including storage areas, sluices, clinical rooms and corridors.
- To take part in various Audits and inventories around environment on the ward and take actions if required.
- Keep a regular stock and track of essential equipment on the ward and ensure that it is charged, clean and working and ready to use
- To keep a log to track equipment sent to medical equipment for repairs or loaned to other departments and ensure it is returned.
- To help with lost property on the ward and help reconcile lost items to patients.
- Ensure our storage areas are organised and easy to navigate on a daily basis. This includes shelves dedicated to dietary supplies and, for example, cardiac monitoring equipment or moving and handling equipment.
- To regularly audit, escalate and resolve any issues around fixtures, furniture or fittings on the ward.
- to help patients with their enquiries on the ward and assist in tasks such as getting newspapers for patients etc.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals - Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.

We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.

We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King’s Health Partners - we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.

**Responsibilities**:
Be responsible for ensuring ward has all supplies required for services to function anticipating spikes in usage and ordering sufficient where appropriate

Discuss and report any concerns about lack of supplies to Ward sister or Matron, developing solutions where possible

Be responsible for ensuring all equipment maintained and is fit for use. Bring any lack of equipment to notice of ward manager / Matron and order new equipment when authorised.

Lead development and input of information for equipment log - including organising all annual servicing liaising with nurse in charge / Matron / medical equipment department / companies who supply equipment.

Assist with the maintenance of the environment, including all equipment used.

Help maintain the cleanliness of the environment.

Establish and maintain effective communication with staff.

Provide accurate and effective written documentation.

To take part in Audits around environment on the ward and take actions if required.

to trouble shoots any actions that come up as part of the monthly audits that are undertaken relating to the environment.

To help with lost property on the ward and help reconcile lost items to patients.

Ensure our storage areas are organised and easy to navigate on a daily basis. This includes shelves dedicated to dietary supplies and, for example, cardiac monitoring equipment or moving and handling equipment.

to ensure that all areas of the ward, including corridors, storage areas and clinical rooms such as the IV room and sluices are kept organised, clutter free, clean and tidy at all times.

to work with the dom