Housekeeper

Cleaning To assist the Senior Sister in maintaining cleaning standards on the ward. To carry out spot cleaning and ensure spillages are dealt with swiftly and efficiently. To carry out cleaning of general and specialist equipment, e.g. dialysis machines, chairs and drip stands.

To assist in keeping the ward safe and tidy at all times, e.g. remove clutter, room cleans. To maintain upkeep of patients bed areas. To assist in specialist cleaning of surfaces and furnishings.

To carry out cleaning in isolation nursing areas. To assist in maintaining a log of medical equipment and cleaning monitors. Catering To prepare and serve hot/cold snacks (e.g. breakfast) as requested.

To serve meals in conjunction with the nursing team, ensuring patients intake is known and that their dietary needs are met. To provide eating and drinking assistance. To prepare hot/cold beverages including appropriate trolley/equipment regularly at scheduled times. To prepare areas where food and beverages are served/consumed to ensure a pleasant environment for patients.

To wash all equipment/utensils used in preparation, serving and consuming food and beverages at breakfast and on beverage rounds. To check that the ward kitchen is clean and tidy at all times, e.g. discarding out-of-date food and stock rotation beyond the daily clean by the patient support team (PST). To ensure refrigerated food is labelled and stored correctly in accordance with Trust operational policy.

Maintaining the Environment To assist in the monitoring and audit of service delivery, especially related to cleaning, food, linen and the environment, at the agreed frequency, and to inform the ward sister of the outcomes. To assist in completing the wards defect call log book, ensuring all defects are logged, reported, recorded and closed down as appropriate. To assist in co-ordinating other ad hoc maintenance, liaising with the support service helpdesk as required for other services. To assist the Senior Sister in carrying out regular equipment monitoring as necessary in accordance with procedures.

To transport and dispose of clinical, domestic and confidential waste as per the policy, e.g. taking waste to the ward disposal area in conjunction with the PST. To clean and prepare dialysis chairs and handle linen. To participate with ward staff in monitoring the access and security and use of premises and facilities.

To respect the privacy and dignity of patients whilst carrying out housekeeping duties. To assist patients in maintaining the safety of their own property and belongings. To liaise with the Senior Sister concerns relating to the potential for adverse behaviour and security breaches. To use communication skills to help manage and prevent any aggressive and abusive behaviour, and escalate this to a senior member of staff as necessary.

To ensure the safe storage of equipment. To ensure equipment is in good working order. Ensure equipment repairs are carried out in line with trust policy. To carry out daily Palin test (RO water test) General Assisting the movement / mobility of patients to and from their dialysis treatment area using manual handling aids (if required).

Assist patients to weigh before and after their dialysis treatment. To receive deliveries at scheduled times. To transport or collect equipment, consumables and written information as required. To carry out stock put away in the designated storage areas for consumable items (following manual handling guidance at all times).

To assist in maintaining and updating paper-based records and information as required. To respond to requests for general information. To receive and pass on information to others, maintaining confidentiality. To understand the Trusts Complaints Procedure and act in accordance with this procedure.

To assist with training of staff involved with ward housekeeping services explaining the required standards. To be aware of any new food hygiene standards, changes to waste categorization, etc. To adhere to the Food Safety Policy by monitoring and logging of the Fridge temperatures (including the blood sample and medication fridge) in the temperature log book.