Bank Housekeeping Assistant in Farnham

Various shifts available (weekdays, evenings and weekends). Are you looking for a job where you can make a real difference? At Phyllis Tuckwell, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional care to our patients and their families and carers. Phyllis Tuckwell has vacancies for bank housekeeping assistants to join our busy housekeeping team, primarily on our in-patient unit, which is based in Farnham, Surrey, but also with the flexibility to cover our Guildford site when needed. Our housekeepers are an essential part of our team, not only for housekeeping, but also maintaining a positive and friendly atmosphere for our patients and their families. Previous experience of similar work in an in-patient unit environment preferred, but not essential. The role provides in-house training for the successful candidate.

About You

• The ability to support clinicians
• A flexible and professional approach
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong team working skills as well as the ability to work independently
• Basic computer skills

For a full list of essential requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification document.

Main duties of the job

We are based in Farnham and Guildford, and provide bespoke, compassionate palliative and end of life care for people living with an advanced or terminal illness, across West Surrey and North-East Hampshire. Phyllis Tuckwell is a very special place to work. Our staff make a real difference to the lives of our patients and their loved ones, providing outstanding care at a time that really matters. Our Housekeeping team members are pivotal in helping deliver our vital services, ensuring every day is precious for our patients.

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE: To monitor and maintain high standards of cleanliness of the environment, understand specific professional ethical aspects of the job role and continually maintain and update knowledge. Ability to carry out the requirements of the job or a range of related jobs requiring light physical effort.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Professional
  • To ensure all surfaces are visibly clean and free from dust, dirt and debris and that appropriate cleaning agents and equipment are used.
  • To ensure appropriate protective clothing is worn, including uniform and footwear.
  • To ensure cleaning is carried out in a manner and a time that causes minimum disruption.
  • To ensure spillages and hazards are removed with minimal delay.
  • To inform the appropriate authority when cleaning schedules cannot be carried out.
  • To ensure equipment and materials are returned to the appropriate storage place.
  • To ensure requests from patients and families are checked with clinical staff and that any concerns are passed on to nursing staff.
  • To ensure food and beverages are served in an appropriate and safe manner in accordance with food hygiene regulations.
• Operational
  • To have an awareness of, and to observe policy systems and procedures relating to area of work. Including emergency procedures.
  • To take steps to meet key aspects of the role and main responsibilities.
  • To effectively manage self and lead others to meet hospice aims and objectives in terms of day-to-day activities.
  • Maintain concentration when using machinery and equipment.
• Training and Development
  • To attend statutory training sessions as directed by the Housekeeping Manager and understand legislation associated with such training.
  • Through the hospice annual appraisal review system, review training needs and agree yearly objectives with the Housekeeping Manager.
  • To create a positive learning environment, enable staff to learn through positive and negative experiences.
• Customer
  • Maintain professional interaction with patient, relatives, and carers.
  • Provide a high level of service always delivering a good patient experience.
• Research
  • To be aware of and to take part in quality testing issues in conjunction with the Housekeeping Manager.
• Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Role holders are required to understand their responsibilities in the safeguarding context, ensuring that Phyllis Tuckwell reduces the risk of harm or abuse of adults and children at risk.
  • You are required to adhere to Phyllis Tuckwell's Safeguarding Policy, which supports the local authority's multi-agency safeguarding policy, the law (Care Act 2014) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards).
  • Inform the appropriate PT professional where there is concern that an adult or child may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect.

This job description is underpinned by Phyllis Tuckwell's philosophy, culture, and core values, which actively embrace diversity and inclusion and promotes total team spirit. This job description is current and subject to yearly review in consultation with the jobholder. It is liable to reflect and anticipate necessary changes to support the PT strategy.

Person Specification

• Job Knowledge, Quality & Computer Skills
  • Ability to carry out the requirements of the job role.
  • Understand the importance of updating job knowledge.
  • Promotes a positive aptitude to work.
  • Provides a quality service.
  • Takes care in carrying out all aspects of the role.
  • Quality of work should always be of a high standard.
  • Be in possession of basic IT skills e-mail and internet usage and willingness to increase IT skills.
• Managing Work
  • Ability to make decisions and work on own initiative when required to do so.
  • Meet key aspects within your job role.
  • To obtain resources when necessary, in day to day activities to get things done.
  • Ability to undertake light physical duties.
• Qualifications
  • Food & Hygiene or Manual Handling certificates are beneficial but not essential.
• Experience
  • Previous experience of similar work in a hospital or care environment preferred but not essential.
• Team Working
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Develops effective relationships with colleagues and create a sense of team spirit.
  • Provides personal support to colleagues when required.
  • To have awareness of policies.
  • To be able to follow systems and procedures relating to the job role.
  • To have awareness of Health & Safety.
  • To understand the importance of security and confidentiality, is beneficial but not essential, training will be provided.
  • To be aware of own safety and other people around you.
  • Ability to maintain good levels of concentration when handling equipment.
• Relationships and Communication
  • To have the ability to read communication books and communicate back.
  • To be able to listen to others and not be judgemental.
  • Ability to communicate within groups at all levels.
  • Display empathy when communicating with relatives, carers and volunteers.
  • Show discretion when encountering difficult situations.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.