The closing date is 21 October 2025
Band: Band 2
Salary: £24,465 a year pro-rata
Contract: Permanent
Job summary
We are currently looking for housekeepers to join Rowan Ward at the Bristol Surgical Centre
The post holder will work as an integral part of the ward team. The role of Housekeeper will assist in the coordination of all patient facilities/services in the ward area and to ensure a clean, safe and comfortable environment.
The main elements of the role are ensuring the delivery of cleaning, catering and minor maintenance, together with other specified tasks to meet patient needs, as determined by the Senior Sister.
The post holder will work closely with contractors and support services departments as directed by the Senior Sister. They will assist in maintaining quality standards and rectify deficiencies.
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY.
Job responsibilities
Catering
- To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special needs and medical requirements as directed by ward staff.
- To ensure people have any assistance they require to eat and drink and to monitor food intake in conjunction with the ward nurse.
- To prepare and serve hot/cold snacks (e.g. breakfast) as requested offering a 24 hour snack service.
- To serve meals in conjunction with the nursing team, ensuring patients intake is known and that their dietary needs are met.
- To provide eating assistance, e.g. cutting up food, placing food within reach/ feed patients and providing friendly encouragement to patients with regards to eating.
- To prepare hot/cold beverages including appropriate trolley/equipment regularly at scheduled times.
- To ensure all regenerated meals and beverages are served at the correct temperature according to food hygiene regulations and Trust operational policy.
- To prepare areas where food and beverages are served/consumed to ensure a pleasant environment for patients.
- To wash all equipment/utensils used in preparation, regeneration, serving and consuming food and beverages at breakfast and on beverage rounds.
- To check that the ward kitchen is clean and tidy at all times, e.g. discarding out-of-date food and stock rotation beyond the daily clean by the patient support team (PST).
- To ensure refrigerated food is labelled and stored correctly in accordance with Trust operational policy.
- To ensure in conjunction with the ward nurse that discharged and newly admitted patients meal requirements are actioned.
- To co-ordinate extra meal requirements that may arise.
- To ensure that patients whose fluid intake is not medically restricted have access to fresh water.
Maintaining the Environment
- To assist in the monitoring and audit of service delivery, especially related to cleaning, food, linen and the environment, at the agreed frequency, and to inform the ward sister of the outcomes.
- To assist in completing the wards defect call log book, ensuring all defects are logged, reported, recorded and closed down as appropriate.
- To assist in co-ordinating other ad hoc maintenance, liaising with the support service helpdesk as required for other services.
- To assist the Senior Sister in carrying out regular equipment monitoring as necessary in accordance with procedures.
- To transport and dispose of clinical, domestic and confidential waste as per the policy, e.g. taking waste to the ward disposal area in conjunction with the PST.
- To participate with ward staff in monitoring the access and security and use of premises and facilities.
- To ensure that patients space is respected including attending to patients perishable items e.g. fruit.
- To respect the privacy and dignity of patients whilst carrying out housekeeping duties.
- To liaise with the Senior Sister concerns relating to the potential for adverse behaviour and security breaches.
- To use communication skills to help manage and prevent any aggressive and abusive behaviour, and escalate this to a senior member of staff as necessary.
- To ensure the safe storage of equipment.
- To ensure equipment is in good working order. Ensure equipment repairs are carried out in line with trust policy.
General
- To assist in maintaining and updating paper-based records and information as required.
- To respond to requests for general information.
- To receive and pass on information to others, maintaining confidentiality.
- To understand the Trusts Complaints Procedure and act in accordance with this procedure.
- To assist with training of staff involved with ward housekeeping services explaining the required standards.
- To be aware of any new food hygiene standards, changes to waste categorization, etc.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Education Maths/English Grade A-C / 9-4
Desirable
- Food Hygiene qualification/certification
Experience
Desirable
- Hospital experience Catering/Housekeeping
- Hospitality experience
Essential
Essential
- Good Communication/ Customer Skills
- Team Working
- Organisation Skills
- Flexible / Adaptable
- Able to use own initiative
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
