About this role
Job summary
As a Housekeeping Assistant, you will play a vital role in maintaining a clean, safe and welcoming environment for our patients, visitors, volunteers and staff. Working as part of our Housekeeping Team, you will assist with cleaning and laundry services across the Hospice, ensuring high standards of hygiene and infection prevention are maintained at all times.
This role is particularly suited to someone who takes pride in their work, can work independently when required, and understands the importance of creating a comfortable environment for people receiving specialist palliative and end-of-life care.
Main duties of the job
Maintain high standards of cleanliness throughout the Hospice in line with cleaning schedules and infection control procedures. Carry out housekeeping and laundry duties, ensuring linen is handled safely and appropriately. Safely use cleaning equipment and materials in accordance with Hospice policies and guidelines. Report maintenance issues, equipment defects and any concerns to the Housekeeping Team Leader. Accurately complete cleaning records and documentation as required. Support the safe handling and disposal of clinical and sanitary waste. Ensure stock levels of cleaning products are maintained and rotated appropriately. Help provide a welcoming and supportive environment for patients, visitors and colleagues.
About us
Barnsley Hospice is a charity providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care to hundreds of local people each year. Our focus is on helping people achieve the best possible quality of life while supporting those close to them throughout illness and bereavement.
By joining our team, you will help ensure that vital services continue to be available to people across the community.
We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQIA+ candidates and candidates with disabilities, as we are committed to increasing representation across our workforce.
Job description Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Key Duties and responsibilities
1.Working as part of the housekeeping team under the Supervision of the Housekeeping Team Leader, ensuring that all areas of the Hospice are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and in accordance with cleaning schedules provided by the Housekeeping Team Leader.
2.To follow strict Hospice procedures regarding the safe handling of clinical and sanitary waste, and when undertaking barrier cleaning duties (infection control areas).
3.Follows a daily cleaning schedule as set down by the Housekeeping Team Leader, taking account of additional housekeeping requests and re-prioritises cleaning schedule accordingly. Works mainly unsupervised during weekend and evening shifts.
4.Records all daily and monthly cleaning duties carried out, and any issues raised and discussed at regular team meetings.
5.Ensure all linen and laundry is handled in accordance with Hospice policy with regards to infection control, and using a colour coded system.
6.Distribute, record and rotate domestic products.
7.Safe usage of all cleaning equipment and materials in accordance with Hospice policy and guidelines.
8.Reporting and recording of any defects in cleaning equipment and structural/fabric defects to Housekeeping Team Leader and Maintenance.
9.Ensure that windows and doors are securely locked in the office and The Day Therapy Unit areas.
General
1.Respect confidentiality applying to all Hospice areas.
2.Maintain an awareness of all relevant legislation and Hospice policies/procedures and act in accordance with them.
3.Maintain an awareness of personal responsibilities as defined by the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, thus maintaining a safe working environment.
4.To participate in suitable training courses and mandatory training within the Hospice as required.
5.Carry out any other duties deemed appropriate to the post by the Hospice Management.
This Job Profile is an outline of responsibilities and will be subject to review, in consultation with the post holder in order to meet the changing needs of the Hospice.
Communication
Internal
Communicates all job-related information to housekeeping team colleagues, nursing staff, maintenance and Support Services Manager/HR Manager.
Communicates with Hospice staff, patients and visitors.
External
Contractors
Other Responsibilities
1.To undertake any other duties, commensurate with the role as required by the Hospice.
2.To act as an ambassador of the Hospice, maintaining honesty, integrity and trustworthiness at all times.
3.The post holder will be expected to maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
4.The post holder will ensure that they are aware of and apply health and safety and fire precautions.
5.The post holder will ensure that clinical risk management and safeguarding procedures and relevant good practice guidelines are followed at all times.
6.The post holder is to ensure data protection is maintained at all times.
7.The post holder will be flexible in terms of working hours in order to meet service needs.
8.The post holder will support the Hospice as required, across the range of duties as appropriate within the grading of this post. In the context of rapid and ongoing change within the Hospice, the above responsibilities represent the current priorities and requirements for the post. These priorities will develop and evolve over time. Any significant changes will be the subject of full communication and consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Experience Desirable
Experience of working in a laundry Basic Food Hygiene
Skills and Abilities Desirable
Able to prioritise own workload whilst working to an agreed schedule of duties Work both as part of a team and on own initiative Communications skills (verbal and written) Flexible working practice (shifts include weekends and evenings)
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 Barnsley Hospice
Address 104-106 Church Street
Gawber
Barnsley
S75 2RL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.barnsleyhospice.org/ (Opens in a new tab)