Housekeeper

· Child Health are looking for an enthusiastic housekeeper to join both the paediatric ward and SCBU clinical areas. The successful candidate would work across both areas by ensuring the overall tidiness of the ward, setting up bed/cot spaces, general stocking up of each area, cleaning of equipment, reporting of faulty equipment and ensuring high standards of cleanliness.
You will also be required to liaise closely with patients, relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team., + To monitor the environment to ensure all areas are clean and tidy. Remove clutter, tidy notice boards. Participate in ward/unit environmental audits.
+ To ensure all specialist and general equipment is cleaned and decontaminated in accordance with manufacturers guidelines to trust standards
+ To collect and deliver equipment and other items from and to other areas of the hospital as required.
+ To maintain stock levels in all clinical areas, liaising with material management staff to rectify any problems or shortfalls.
+ To have good interpersonal skills. Demonstrate a caring, compassionate and friendly attitude. Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy and be approachable.

Working for our organisation
This is an exciting opportunity to join the child health team where family Integrated care is promoted, and which consists of:
+ Louisa Cary which is a 19 bedded acute general paediatric ward at Torbay hospital which cares for children and young people 0 - 18yrs. The ward consists of 2 HDU beds, 11 cubicles and a separate 6 bedded young people's area.
+ The Short Stay Paediatric Assessment Unit (SSPAU) is an 8 bedded unit that takes children and young people from 0-18 years directly referred from GPs, Emergency Department and community services. It also provides a service for planned day cases including infusions, investigations, and outpatient reviews.
+ Our Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) is a busy Level 1 unit providing 10 cots in total comprising of 2 HDU cots and 4 Special Care cot's, and 4 Transitional Care cots., + To maintain stock levels in all clinical areas, liaising with management staff to rectify any problems or shortfalls.
+ Prepare bed spaces for new admissions. Report any broken equipment and manage it accordingly. Ensure Oxygen and suction units are clean and in working condition.
+ To ensure that following the discharge of a patient, the bed frame / cots, locker and general area are cleaned prepared for the next admission (Soap and paper towels are replenished and the bed area is generally tidy).
+ Be aware of how to prepare for a deep clean.

· To ensure all specialist and general equipment is cleaned and decontaminated in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines to Trust standards.
+ To ensure that all soap/alcohol/glove and apron dispensers are clean and replenished.
+ To ensure adequate linen supplies are in place.
+ To assist in bed making of existing in-patients on a daily basis.

Physical skills
· Working in acute fast paced clinical areas.
· Manual dexterity to use a keyboard
· Ability to write legibly
· Required to use computer and telephone

Patient and client care
+ Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.

· To ensure in conjunction with the ward team, that patients and their families are provided with appropriate hot and cold beverages at regular intervals throughout the day
· To ensure that patients and families have a clean supply of drinking water and a clean glass and water jug.
· To ensure that all nutritional supplements are ordered and appropriately controlled and stored in conjunction with the Dietetic Department and Ward Manager.
· To always ensure patient confidentiality.
Policy and service development
+ Participate in ward/unit environmental audits.
+ Evaluate own actions, reduce risks to health & safety and promote a health and safety culture in the workplace.
+ Ensure compliance with policies procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.

· Report any incidents, accidents or complaints to the nurse in charge of the ward, in accordance with Trust policy.

Finance, equipment and other resources
+ To monitor the environment to ensure all areas are clean and tidy. Remove clutter, tidy notice boards.
+ To collect and deliver equipment and other items from and to other areas of the hospital as required.
+ To maintain stock levels in all clinical areas, liaising with management staff to rectify any problems or shortfalls.

· To report any faults or damage to the fabric of the department to Estates.
· Ensure all equipment is cleaned to Trust standards and contamination

People management and training
+ Attend mandatory training and relevant study days to develop own knowledge and skills.

Information technology and administrative duties
· Be familiar with relevant computerised systems integral to the running of the service.
· To report any faults or damage to the department to Estates.
· To be able to, scan and photocopy and maintain stock levels of paperwork used in the areas.

Research and development
· To actively participate in audits and surveys

Freedom to act
· To comply with trust infection and control policies and always conduct him/herself in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection.
· To participate incident reporting in accordance with Trust policy.
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a 'Staff Carers' policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer's Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
+ We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please apply promptly
+ Please read the job description and tailor your application to reflect the role
+ Correspondence will be via Trac, text and email. Please check your email and Trac account regularly.
+ Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band
+ If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion
+ It is your responsibility to assist us in the timely receipt of appropriate references
The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.

Communication and working relationships
+ To have good interpersonal skills with staff, relatives and patients.
+ Demonstrate a caring, compassionate and friendly attitude. Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy and be approachable.
+ This position requires empathy and tact when dealing with families who may be angry or upset
+ To work as part of a team demonstrating effective communication, and working collaboratively with colleagues inside and out of the department

Planning and organisation