Catering Housekeeper - HillingdoninHillingdoninHillingdonPUBLISHED FRI 17 JAN 2025
Opportunity to make a positive impact on patient care by ensuring high standards of cleanliness and catering in the hospital.
Being part of a friendly and professional team within The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Developing valuable skills in customer service and communication by working directly with patients and healthcare staff.
Potential for personal development through training opportunities related to food hygiene and catering standards.
Job stability and security working within the NHS, a reputable and essential public service.
Variety in daily tasks that keep the job engaging, from meal preparation to maintaining ward cleanliness.
Ability to work on one's initiative while being a crucial part of the ward team, promoting independence and responsibility.
The role of Catering Housekeeper with The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust involves supporting the Facilities department by maintaining high standards of cleanliness and catering within hospital wards. Key responsibilities include assisting patients with meal selections, serving food and beverages, ensuring ward kitchen cleanliness, and monitoring patient dietary needs alongside medical staff. Candidates should have previous experience in catering or housekeeping, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently. Familiarity with basic food hygiene and COSHH is advantageous but not mandatory.
Additionally, the Catering Housekeeper will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness standards, conducting spot cleaning as needed, and ensuring a safe, tidy ward environment. They will also monitor food waste, coordinate extra meal requirements, and manage the cleanliness of patient areas while adhering to health and safety regulations. The position emphasises teamwork and effective communication with ward staff and visitors, contributing to a supportive atmosphere for patients.
Additionally, the Catering Housekeeper will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness standards, conducting spot cleaning as needed, and ensuring a safe, tidy ward environment. They will also monitor food waste, coordinate extra meal requirements, and manage the cleanliness of patient areas while adhering to health and safety regulations. The position emphasises teamwork and effective communication with ward staff and visitors, contributing to a supportive atmosphere for patients.
Opportunity to make a positive impact on patient care by ensuring high standards of cleanliness and catering in the hospital.
Being part of a friendly and professional team within The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Developing valuable skills in customer service and communication by working directly with patients and healthcare staff.
Potential for personal development through training opportunities related to food hygiene and catering standards.
Job stability and security working within the NHS, a reputable and essential public service.
Variety in daily tasks that keep the job engaging, from meal preparation to maintaining ward cleanliness.
Ability to work on one's initiative while being a crucial part of the ward team, promoting independence and responsibility.
Job Overview:
Our Facilities department provide a range of support services across the Hospital including catering cleaning and housekeeping. These services help play a vital role in ensuring all areas of our hospital achieve excellent standards of cleanliness, catering and hygiene. We are now recruiting housekeepers to join our friendly and professional team.
For this role you will need some previous experience of working in either a catering or housekeeping role as well as excellent communication (verbal and written) and customer service skills. Basic food hygiene and COSHH knowledge is desirable but not essential. It is also important that you are able to work on your own initiative.
Please note that this vacancy may close early due to the amount of applications we receive.
Our Housekeepers work on our hospital wards with responsibility for monitoring and maintaining our high standards of cleanliness and catering including:
- assisting patients with appropriate meal selections
- to serve patient meals, hot and cold beverages and snacks at scheduled intervals throughout the day and to respond to ad-hoc requirements.
- monitoring and maintaining ward kitchen cleanliness and ensuring its clean and tidy at all times
To be responsible, where able, for ensuring that the patient's individual needs are met and to work as an integral part of the ward team.
About us
Catering Standards:
- To assist patients with their selection of their chosen meals on a daily basis. Where necessary taking into account medical, special dietary requirements and religious needs in conjunction with medical staff.
- To serve patient meals, hot and cold beverages and snacks at scheduled intervals throughout the day and to respond to ad-hoc requirements.
- To ensure patients have assistance with eating if required (e.g. food cut up, within easy reach etc) and advice nursing staff of any areas of concern.
- To take full responsibility for the ward kitchen, ensuring it is a clean and hygienic environment (Inc. temperature, monitoring, stock rotation, disposal of out of date food and ordering essential items etc).
- To co-ordinate extra meal requirements that may arise, during the core working hours.
- To monitor the uptake of meals and ensure this information is recorded in order to reduce wastage
- To highlight training/development needs of ward based assistant housekeepers to ensure appropriate legislation is followed and the highest possible standards of food service are provided.
- To complete all monitoring and reporting forms in relation to the provision of catering and beverage services.
The Ward Environment:
- To monitor the wards maintenance and pest control request logbook, ensuring all requests are logged and actioned as appropriate.
- To ensure the ward is safe and tidy at all times. Working with ward staff and the facilities team to ensure compliance with trust procedures in particular the disposal policy and waste recycling.
- To ensure the patients space is respected including attending to patients belongings, i.e. fruit, get-well cards etc.
National Standards of Cleanliness:
- To maintain and where necessary rectify cleaning standards on the ward.
- To ensure spot cleaning is carried out swiftly and effectively following any spillages.
- To maintain the upkeep of patient bed areas.
- To ensure daily cleans of barrier room are effectively carried out in accordance with ward requirements and infection control instructions.
- To highlight training/development needs of ward based assistant housekeepers, to ensure the highest possible standard of cleanliness and infection control.
Any other duties:
- To carry out any patients related questionnaires as agreed.
- To carry out any other appropriate monitoring commensurate with role.
- To inform the ward manager of the outcome of any monitoring and agree action where appropriate.
- To handle complaints and take appropriate action in line with responsibilities of the post for trust complaints procedure.
- To ensure their own actions reduce risks to health and safety and to report any non compliance of health and safety noticed within wards.
- To receive, welcome and guide visitors on the ward, liaising with other staff as appropriate.
- To report any breaches of security especially to patients property.
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a full list of role requirements and main responsibilities.
More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:
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The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values.Learn more...
Useful skills for a Catering Housekeeper - Hillingdon:
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To work as a Catering Housekeeper in the UK, you would typically need a combination of skills and attributes that ensure high standards of cleanliness, organization, and service in a catering environment. Here are some key skills you should consider developing:
1. Cleaning Skills: Ability to effectively clean and maintain various areas including kitchens, dining areas, and restrooms. Understanding the correct use of cleaning products and techniques is crucial.
2. Attention to Detail: Ensuring that all cleaning tasks are completed thoroughly and that food safety standards are maintained.
3. Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently to ensure that all cleaning duties are completed within set time frames.
4. Customer Service Skills: Strong interpersonal skills to interact positively with guests, ensuring their comfort and satisfaction.
5. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with kitchen staff and other housekeeping personnel, ensuring smooth operations.
6. Health and Safety Awareness: Understanding of health and safety regulations, including food safety standards, to maintain a safe and hygienic environment.
7. Organisation Skills: Ability to organize cleaning schedules, inventory, and supplies efficiently.
8. Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities or work tasks, especially in busy catering environments or during events.
9. Physical Stamina: Being fit enough to carry out manual tasks, such as lifting equipment or supplies, as the job can be physically demanding.
10. Basic Cooking Knowledge (optional): Familiarity with kitchen operations and food preparation can be a plus, especially in roles that might require some level of food service support.
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