Housekeeper/Ward Support Assistant
As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.
We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £250m estates programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train.The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.
We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.
We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.
At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.
As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.
Job overview
We are looking for a housekeeper/ward support assistant to join our team.
B2 is a 24 bedded surgical ward, looking after planned and emergency surgical patients in the fields of upper and lower gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and breast care.
We are looking for an hard working, highly motivated individual who will work well as a member of the team, but is also confident to manage their workload independently. We are committed to providing a high standard of care to our patients and are looking for someone with similar values.
They will be responsible for assisting the ward sister in the coordination and provision of services, ensuring that the ward is a clean, safe and a comfortable environment and provide essential support to patients in fulfilling their dietary and nutritional needs.
The applicant will be responsible for general cleaning, stock ordering and rotation. They will work alongside the domestic team to ensure the ward is clean and clutter free.
They will also be responsible for ensuring patient's nutritional needs are met, working closely with the nursing team to ensure patients are given the correct diet and advice. Many dietary restrictions can be in place for our patients which can change daily.
Base Location: Poole Hospital B2. There may be a requirement to change working site location as part of University Hospitals Dorset ongoing transformation works.
Interview date: TBC
Main duties of the job
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
Working for our organisation
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued team mates and colleagues.
UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have at interview.
There are planned transformation works within the Surgical directorate in Autumn 2025, which may effect the working location of this role. It will be subject to transformation decisions whether this job role remains at Poole or transfers to Bournemouth Hospital.
Upon relocation of the role/service, excess mileage allowance / reimbursement will not apply, and any travel between the postholder’s home and work base will be classified as a commute.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Good level of basic education to demonstrate literacy, numeracy, and comprehension skills
- GCSE in Maths and English
Technical Skills Competencies
Essential criteria- Effective communication skills – both written and verbal / non verbal
- Ability to work in a demanding environment
- Ability to demonstrate initiative and prioritise work efficiently
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Awareness of food safety standards
- Basic IT skills to aid data input
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working with the public
- Experience of infection control procedures
- Experience of catering environments
- Experience of hospital/ward work
- Experience of working in a caring environment
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria- Ability and willingness to interact with a range of people and ages
- Sensitivity and consideration to the needs of others
- Personable manner - warm, welcoming and approachable
Language Requirement
Essential criteria- Be able to speak and write English at a level necessary to undertake the role
Please note:
Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.
This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.
Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.