Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work as part of Infrastructure team to undertake and supervise housekeeping at clinical,

admin and social care bases. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking general

cleaning (including toilets and clinical areas) and related tasks to a high standard in line with

NHS National Standards of Cleanliness and following the guidelines as set out in the daily

schedules. Duties will include opening and closing the building on occasion, stock

control/monitoring/ordering, management and coordination of staff rotas, timesheets and training. 

To assist the Facilities Manager with organising shift cover and managing the workload of

members of the housekeeping team. Help to update and maintain records relating to staff

working hours, annual leave, sickness and more as instructed.

Organisational chart

1. Communication and relationship skills

Work closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure requirements are understood and met. To

work flexibly and communicate with the whole team, receptionists, estates team and service

managers and within the clinical standards, if any issues arise and inform the Facilities Manager

Ability to communicate with outside contractors/agencies.

Communicate with members of the housekeeping team to inform and instruct housekeeping duties.

Associate Director

Infrastructure and

Procurement

Facilities Manager

Housekeeping

Supervisor

Housekeepers

Be able to listen to and escalate any concerns appropriately.

Act as a leader within the team to manage workloads and relationships between members of staff.

2. Knowledge, training and experience

Work with minimum supervision and as a member of the estates team, maintaining high

standards of quality working practice, tidiness and health and safety. Previous cleaning

experience is desirable, NVQ/CSE in English and Maths or equivalent is essential. To attend all

statutory and mandatory training and training essential to meet the needs of the sites serviced.

To work according to the NHS National Standards of Cleanliness, COSHH, Health, Safety and

Infection control policies.

Supervisory/managerial experience is desirable.

Ability to use computer software and office equipment will be required.

3. Analytical and judgement skills

Ensure the daily cleaning schedules are completed in the agreed timescales and hygiene

standards are met. Ability to work flexibly when required, inform Facilities Manager of any

incidents, ensure monitoring forms are completed. Report any issues of concern to Facilities

Manager and keep them regularly informed of service information.

Assist in the completion of timesheets and pay returns using computer software.

Identify and escalate potential staffing gaps due to annual and other leave, sickness absence

and training.

Use own judgement and consider the best interests of MCH and all staff when working to

ensure the smooth running of the service.

4. Planning and organisational skills

Inform supervisor of materials that are running low. Ensure area cleaned is down within time

allowed to the high standard in line with NHS National Standards of Cleanliness, following the

guidelines as set out in the daily schedules.

Effectively organise cover for shifts and find replacement staff, sometimes at short notice.

Consider the logistics involved including contracted hours and personal commitments.

Be able to prioritise and manage own workload. Work to payroll and other deadlines to ensure

tasks are completed within the time allowed.

5. Physical skills

Ability to undertake lightweight floor scrubs and use cleaning materials in accordance with

COSHH. Ensure waste is disposed of in accordance with organisation’s waste disposal policy

ensuring health and safety standards are adhered to. Ability to move cleaning equipment from

one area to another.

Be able to use computer software and standard office equipment.

6. Responsibility for patient / client care

To co-operate with Facilities Manager and other employees to achieve a safe environment in

line with Medway Community Healthcare’s policies and procedures. Ensure wet floor/cleaning

signage is displayed when necessary. Inform Facilities Manager of any situation which could be

considered to represent a serious or immediate danger to health and safety. To report any

matter which could be considered to represent a shortcoming in Medway Community

Healthcare’s health and safety procedures.

Act appropriately within the environment considering the needs of patients and clients and type

of service provided at each location.

7. Responsibility for policy and service development implementation

Offer ideas and suggestions ensuring cleaning standards are met and maintained.

Contribute and react to changes in a positive way.

Set a good example for other members of the housekeeping team to implement new ideas and

processes. Engage with others to offer suggestions to the Facilities manager.

8. Responsibilities for financial and physical resources

The post holder will be expected to work in a way that minimised risks to members, service

users, visitors, staff, volunteers and all who enters the premise. They will assist in maintaining a

safe environment.

Consider the best interest of MCH when working, to reduce wastage and manage the cost of

consumables.

Assist the Facilities manager to complete timesheets and pay returns for staff. Organise shifts

fairly and optimally.

Take care with equipment and consumables used to avoid damage/breakages.

9. Responsibilities for human resources (HR)

Attendance at team meetings to share good practice, updates and liaise with colleagues.

Participate in any training or medical requirements to carry out role as advised within health and

safety regulations. Participation in MCH appraisal and performance review process.

Compulsory attendance at all statutory and mandatory training, follow all HR procedures and

policies.

Supervise members of the housekeeping team when undertaking duties to ensure work is

carried out as instructed by the Facilities Manager.

Act as a liaison between the Facilities Manager and members of the housekeeping team to

escalate issues and concerns.

Assist with managing annual and other types of leave and sickness absences, consider such

personal and other commitments e.g. training when organising cover for shifts.

Consider the abilities of team members and be able to adapt approach appropriately.

Respond sensitively to staff concerns and escalate to the Facilities Manager for an agreeable

resolution.

10. Responsibilities for information resources

Follow all information governance procedures and maintain records to build an audit trail where

necessary.

Understand the importance of confidentiality, particularly when involving staff and set a good

example for members of the housekeeping team.

11. Responsibilities for research and development (R&D)

Participate in non-clinical audits upon request, provide relevant information for any R and D

projects if requested.

12. Freedom to act

Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and your place of work, use initiative when

cleaning and being able to take into account areas not in one’s remit on any particular day. Be

sensitive to the needs of members attending sites.

13. Physical effort (refer to effort factor questionnaire)

May be required to push or pull a trolley containing cleaning materials, remove bags of waste

from buildings into the waste compound. Use equipment required for cleaning and move

furniture or equipment from one area to another ensuring health and safety is observed at all

times.

14. Mental effort (refer to effort factor questionnaire)

Attend regular team meetings, operate cleaning machinery, interruptions from colleagues in

order to communicate information.

15. Emotional effort (refer to effort factor questionnaire)

Face to face contact with colleague, clinical staff, service users and any others using MCH

premises.

16. Working conditions (refer to effort factor questionnaire)

Occasional unpleasant smells / odours and the removal of unpleasant substances as and when required. Necessary to use chemicals in pursuit of daily cleaning routine.