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 necessary 
  • 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. 

    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 Relationships 

  • 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 etc 

  • 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