Job Description

We require a motivated and enthusiastic individual to work as the Housekeeper within Haematology and Young Oncology Day unit services. Duties include stores ordering, management of stock and maintenance of department equipment also including general housekeeping of the Outpatient Department.



The team compromises on senior health care assistants, staff nurses, sisters, and senior sister to support this role to ensure we maintain a high standard of cleanliness within the facilities and maintenance of all equipment in our outpatient settings.



To provide high quality and effective support in the care and management of patients, relatives and their friends under the direction of the registered nurse. The post holder is responsible for participating as part of the team within the ward/dept. The post holder will assist in general care duties as specified below, under the overall guidance, supervision and direction of and delegated by a Registered Nurse.



The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.



We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.



We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical support:

1. Welcome and orientate patients, visitors and others to the clinical area/department and ensure that all communications result in effective customer care. Answer queries promptly and courteously, taking appropriate actions according to the mode of enquiry or the information required, providing appropriate information and referring enquiries or problems/issues to the relevant qualified staff where appropriate.



To undertake cleaning duties in accordance with the schedules and procedures of the unit including cleaning of pictures, tables, beds, and surfaces.

Clean under beds weekly and after patient discharge.

To undertake domestic duties e.g. removal of clinical and household refuse, dishwashing and any other duties, which are appropriate to maintain a high standard of cleanliness in conjunction with the existing domestic service.

To receive unit meal trolley and assist in meal service as required in line with trust hygiene and food handling policy.

Check and record fridge temperatures daily

To ensure the unit area is clean and tidy, with responsibility for clean and dirty utility rooms, storeroom, linen room.

To order some non-stock items as instructed by unit manager

To prepare and serve snacks and beverages to patients as appropriate in conjunction with the existing hostess service.

To ensure blinds, curtains and soft furnishings are maintained and to co-ordinate cleaning and re-hanging.

To assist and direct patients/visitors where and when appropriate.

To assist with the movement and escort of patients as appropriate to patient needs under the direction of the nurse in charge.

To check the wards linen is clean and stocked daily.

To clean, return to store and daily co-ordinate maintenance/repair of clinical and non-clinical equipment e.g., infusion pumps as specified.

To strip, clean, remake beds and conduct mattress inspection monthly.

To take and deliver messages, including answering telephones as requested as part of the ward team. To always communicate well within the team.

To receive and check stores and other supplies and put them away in appropriate storage places.

To co-ordinate ordering of stationery and other goods.

To record and action requests for basic/minor maintenance e.g., light bulbs, blocked sinks etc. and to monitor their completion.

To check fixtures/fittings weekly and report for maintenance. If no action after two weeks, then report to Unit Manager.

To have an overall awareness of the Unit environment, including general safety aspects e.g., free access to fire exits, alarm bells, patient radios etc.

The postholder's duties must always be carried out in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities Policy.

To ensure barrier and vacated rooms are cleaned according to policy.

To ensure items of equipment are labeled and sent to Storeroom when out of use.

To undertake weekly cleaning of Unit equipment/environment as per. disinfection/cleaning policy including drip stands / suction points etc.

To monitor standard of cleanliness on the Unit daily, liaising with domestic service and Unit Manager.

The postholder is responsible for taking reasonable care regarding him/herself, as well as for any colleagues, patients or visitors who might be affected by any act or failure to act by the postholder in accordance with the Trust's policies on Health and Safety at Work.

Ensure hand-washing equipment soap, paper towels, alcohol hand gel available at all sinks.

Supervise and assist Unit assistant.

These duties and responsibilities are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and management reserve the right to require staff to undertake other duties and responsibilities consistent with the grade of the post.

Environment Support:

1. Be responsible for self and others through identifying risks and undertaking work activities in a safe manner.



2. Maintain cleanliness in the work environment, ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients, adhering to infection control policies and guidance in line with Trust health and safety policies. Ensure waste is correctly disposed of according to Trust policy.



3. Prepare and maintain environments for clinical procedures.



4. Undertakes cleaning of equipment/environment as per Trust policy.



5. To check the appropriate linen stock is adequate until the next due delivery. Contribute in the supply and maintenance of materials and equipment to ensure the efficient running of the clinical environment.



6. Ensure patient beds/trolleys are changed, including strip, clean, remake beds/trolleys. Collect full bags of soiled linen and move to collection points.



7. Assist with the checking and recording of deliveries to the clinical areas against original orders. Ensure stock rotation is undertaken to minimise the risk of equipment becoming out of date.



8. Assist in the transfer of materials and equipment as requested, including the maintenance of equipment as appropriate.



7. Report faults on the department/unit as necessary.



8. Reports all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy to shift coordinator or senior staff.



9. Contributes to the continuous improvement of services.



10. Undertake all training required to perform duties effectively to the requirements of the post, including but not limited to attending all required mandatory training courses.



11. Maintain own professional portfolio in accordance with personal development plans.



12. Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour.

Professional:

1. Demonstrate respect for the individual patient, ensuring religious, cultural and social needs are considered at all times and acknowledge their individual rights. In all situations ensure consideration is made to the patients cultural background.



2. May be required to demonstrate and assist more junior staff to gain clinical experience, skills and knowledge.



3. Exchange information with patients and staff on the admission of patients.



4. Communicate information about appointments schedules to patients.



5. Communicate with patients who may be anxious, angry or upset.



6. Exchange relevant information with health care professionals.



7. Deal compassionately with distressing situations.



8. Liaise with other members of staff regarding patient concerns.

Administration:

1. Assist in preparing for clinic by printing labels and proformas if and when required, but also escalating missed prepped documentation to the clinic prep team/informing band 4's, 5's and 6's. Assist in preparing patient's notes, relevant charts, nursing etc.



2. Undertake clerical duties as directed by the Registered Nurse in relation to all verbal and written communications, ensuring messages and communications are passed to other team members, storage of patient information and retrieval of such information.



3. Plan/support nursing and medical staff for patient admissions, appointments and discharge.



These duties and responsibilities are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and staff may be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities consistent with the band. Skills development is encouraged and you may wish to consider additional skills/duties as part of your appraisal/PDR process.