Job description

Job responsibilities

AIMResponsible for providing general housekeeping services to clinical and non-clinical areas of the Hospice ensuring high standards of cleanliness are maintained.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESCommunication and relationshipsMaintain good communication across all departments with staff, volunteers, patients and visitorsReport any equipment or fittings that require maintenance in line with Hospice proceduresAnalytical and judgement skills

Judgements involving straightforward job related situations

Planning and organisational skills

Clean all areas as detailed in the cleaning schedule and instruction from the Guest Services Manager or Nurse in charge.

Physical skills

Normal cleaning duties that will be obtained through practice and practical training.

Carry out laundry procedures as and when instructed.

Patient/Client Care

Assists patients/relatives providing ancillary services and awareness of special requirements when working in patient bedrooms.

Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.

Policy and Service Development

Be aware of the Health and Safety policies and the requirements of COSHH

Comply with Hospice policies and procedures.

May comment on proposed change which applies to own area of work.

Financial and Physical Resources

Contribute to effective stock control of all cleaning products and supplies.

Exercise personal duty of care when using expensive equipment i.e. carpet cleaner / window cleaner.

Report as necessary any faults re: equipment or office accommodation and ensure the safety and security of the building is met

Human Resources

Responsible for providing advice and support to new or less experienced employees in own area of work.

Attend mandatory training and training courses related to duties of the post ensuring regular updating

Maintain confidentiality in relation to all work matters

Information Resources

Records personally generated information for own work area.

Research and Development

Continually look for ways to improve the quality of the service one provides to guests, patients, visitors, volunteers and staff.

Freedom to Act

Works within established procedures and work is supervised.

EFFORT & ENVIRONMENT

Physical

Ongoing light physical effort will be required for vacuuming and carpet cleaning.

Mental

Care and attention must be applied at all times when working in areas with staff patients and volunteers in particular to keep a safe working environment.

Emotional

Occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances when working on the In Patient Unit.

Working Conditions

Occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions.

Data Protection and Confidentiality

All employees have a responsibility in line with information governance to maintain confidentiality and ensure the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 are applied to patients, clients, staff, volunteers and Hospice business information, including electronic information. Only information required to fulfil the duties of the role should be accessed by the post holder.

All employees have a responsibility to use electronic systems in a way that preserves the dignity and privacy of people, helps to ensure services of the highest quality, and is compliant with the law and Hospice policies and procedures

Health and Safety

The Hospice will take all reasonably practical steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees while at work. Employees will familiarise themselves with the Health and Safety Policy and procedure as well as the fire procedures and ensure a safe working environment for self and others in line with these.

Safeguarding

All employees within the Hospice have a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and ensure they are protected from harm.

All employees should make themselves aware of the policies and procedures of safeguarding, take personal responsibility as far as is reasonably practicable, to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, complete statutory and mandatory training and take appropriate action as set out in the Hospices policies and procedures.

Infection Control

All employees have a responsibility to ensure the risk of infection to themselves, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:

Attending mandatory training and role specific infection prevention education and training

Challenging poor infection prevention and control practices

Ensuring their own compliance with Hospice Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedure.

Equal Opportunities

The Hospice welcomes all persons without regard to race, religion or belief, age, gender re-assignment, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, marriage or civil partnership, physical or mental disability. The Hospice aims to provide services in a manner that enables all members of the community to access them.

Employees must behave in a non-judgemental manner that respects the differing needs and cultures of others.

Note: This post is deemed to require a Disclosure check via the Disclosure and Barring Service. Therefore it will be necessary before the appointment to contact the DBS to check on any relevant criminal background

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Qualifications and TrainingGeneral standard of education
• Literacy and numeracy
• Previous experience in the full range of cleaning duties in a similar environment.
• Skills and Knowledge
• Ability to work in an organised and methodical manner
• Good communication skills
• Able to work with minimum supervision
• Personal Attributes
• Willingness to take personal responsibility for standard of work
• Work as part of a team or alone
• Pleasant and polite manner
• Able to evidence behaviour consistent with the Hospice values of professionalism, choice, integrity and reputation
• Special Requirements
• Ability to work sympathetically around patients and visitors

Desirable

• NVQ level 2 in housekeeping or similar relevant qualification
• Knowledge of Health and safety regulations.
• Knowledge of COSHH

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.

Employer details

Employer name

St Cuthbert’s Hospice

Address

St. Cuthbert's Hospice

Park House Road

Durham

DH1 3QF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.stcuthbertshospice.com/ (Opens in a new tab)