Main duties of the job
To receive, welcome and guide visitors on arrival to the ward, liaising with other staff as appropriate
To act as the co-ordinator for the ward on behalf of the nurse in charge to ensure that relatives, that attend the ward in difficult circumstances, i.e. bereavement/breaking bad news or upset, are dealt with promptly and appropriatelyusing tact and empathy where necessaryÂ
To respond to requests for general information
To receive and pass on information to others, maintaining confidentiality
To handle minor complaints and take appropriate action
To be aware of any new food hygiene standards, changes to waste categorisation etc
To assist the Ward Manager (if necessary) to ensure Mandatory training policy is adhered to by ensuring good record keeping
Assist the Housekeeper manager and ward manager in evaluating change to local policies.
Contribute to the purchasing of ward equipment and supplies
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.Â
Working for our organisation
If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and Proud to Lead competence framework.
Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the Disability Confident Employer scheme.
Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
 Working Practices and RelationshipsÂ
To ensure own actions reduce risk to health and safety and to promote a health and safety culture within the workplace
To respond to emergencies as appropriate
To maintain effective working relationships
To foster people’s equality, diversity and rights
To adhere to the Welsh language scheme
To provide effective customer service
To maintain environmental, food and personal hygiene
To maintain complete confidentiality with regard to all patient issues
Support of People
To ensure patients have adequate supplies to meet their basic needs, e.g. toiletries as required
To ensure the ward has sufficient stocks to meet patient and staff needs
To assist people with accessing and interpreting written information, e.g. cards and letters
To communicate effectively with people
To respond to health emergencies as appropriate
To induct new staff on issues regarding Housekeeping issues e.g. Protected Mealtimes, Clean Hospital Agenda, Bed Cleaning procedure.
To supervise ward cleanliness, ensuring co-ordinated approach to ward cleanliness with domestic supervisors.
Linen
To ensure there is enough clean linen to meet the needs of the patients
To ensure that the quality of linen available meets the Health Board’s standards and is suitable for use
Undertake Linen count as per Health Board directive
Co-ordinate routine and emergency curtain cleaning
Work closely with the Senior Housekeeper and Linen Manager with issues regarding linen management
Essential Tasks
– Cleaning
To assist in monitoring and maintaining standards on the ward areas
To ensure general and specialist equipment, e.g. drip stands, commodes etc are cleaned as per cleaning policy is carried out by team members
To ensure the ward is safe and tidy at all times, e.g. remove clutter, tidy notice boards, signage etcÂ
To ensure maintain upkeep of patients’ bed areas by Team
To identify any problems with cleanliness and report to the ward sister
To ensure specialist cleaning of surfaces of furnishings
To ensure isolation nursing areas are cleaned appropriately.
To undertake, in collaboration with Domestic supervisor, internal Ward cleanliness audits and ensure action plan is acted upon
To supervise ward cleanliness, ensuring co-ordinated approach to ward cleanliness with domestic supervisors.
– Catering
To promote the principle of protected meal times for patients
To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special needs and medical requirements
To ensure people have any assistance they require to eat and drink and to monitor food intake in conjunction with the ward nurse
To ensure patients are given assistance, e.g. cutting up food, placing food within reach, encouraging patients to eat
To prepare hot/cold beverages including appropriate trolley/equipment
To ensure all food and beverages are served at the correct temperature to food hygiene regulations
To prepare areas where food and beverages are served/consumed to ensure a pleasant environment for patients
To ensure refrigerated food is labelled and stored correctly as per policy
To ensure in conjunction with the ward nurse that discharged and newly admitted patients’ meal requirements are actioned
To co-ordinate extra meal requirements that may arise
To ensure that patient whose fluid intake is not medically restricted have access to fresh wateri
Liaise with Catering Manager regarding catering issues
– Maintaining the Environment
To carry out monitoring of service delivery, especially related to cleaning, food, linen and the environment, at the agreed frequency
To inform the ward sister of outcomes of monitoring and agree action plans, ensuring action is taken
To manage the ward’s defect call log book, ensuring all defects are logged, reported, recorded and closed down as services have been rectified
Assess and prioritise the plan of work for estates and organise the range of options that may arise
Assess infection control issues and liaise with infection control team especially in outbreak situations
To ensure the safe storage of equipment.
To keep a record of all equipment on the ward or work area, ensure fit for purpose and track equipment if loaned to other areas
To respect the privacy and dignity of patients whilst carrying out housekeeping duties
To maintain the safety of people’s property and belongings
To minimise the potential for adverse behaviour and security breaches
To use communication skills to manage any aggressive and abusive behaviour
Person specification
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria
Educated to GCSE standard (grades A-C) or equivalent
Working towards NVQ Level 3 in related subject or willingness to complete.
Desirable criteria
Qualification in related subjects or working towards e.g. intermediate food hygiene certificate Basic food hygiene Certificate.
Experience
Essential criteria
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team. Experience of planning and organising daily activities across a variety of disciplines.
Experience of dealing with members of the public
Desirable criteria
Experience of undertaking a house keeper role. Experience of working for a NHS organisation Experience of working with a variety of professional groups.
Skills
Essential criteria
Good command of the English language written and spoken
Time management skills
Ability to work under own initiative
Ability to work to tight deadlines
Ability to work under pressure
Organisational skills
Desirable criteria
Ability to use Microsoft office packages including Word, Outlook and Excel.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
Understand the demands of an inpatient environment.
Awareness and understanding of the importance of confidentiality
Desirable criteria
Understanding of the Free to-lead, Free-to-care project.
Perosnal Attributes (Demonstrable)
Essential criteria
Self-motivated
Self-aware
Tact/diplomacy
Motivated
Enthusiastic
Team player
Good telephone and reception manner
Other (Please Specify)
Essential criteria
Ability to work flexible hours to cover within the department
Desirable criteria
Welsh speaker
To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa , unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK . If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Welsh language skills are desirable
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Welsh language skills are desirable