Housekeeper
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
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Job overview
Housekeeper
Department: Surgery
Band 2
Hours: 20 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic person to join our friendly Team working in a 40 bedded, Trauma & Orthopaedic ward under the Surgical Directorate caring for patients with Trauma and Orthopaedic, Ear, Nose and Throat and Spinal injury.
Have you got experience of working in a hospital environment? Are you a motivated individual who enjoys collaborating with a team in a fast-paced environment providing 24/7 care?
Do you enjoy communicating with patients and staff to provide a high standard of clinical and holistic care to patients? Apply to come and work with us!
Experience in care is desirable but not essential as training will be provided. You must have strong organisation, IT and time management skills and be able to be innovative with a zest for new challenges as the demands of the unit grows and develops new services and pathways.
This role can not be sponsored
Previous applicants that have applied in the last 3 months need not apply.
Interview date 27 May 2025
Main duties of the job
Estates and Ancillary staff group scored higher on the “We are safe and healthy” theme (7.01/10), indicating they experience a safer work environment, looking after themselves and each other and prioritising their wellbeing. (NHS Staff Survey 2023)
The post holder will be responsible for the co-ordination of patient facility services on the ward, ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable environment.
The main elements of the post are to ensure the delivery of cleaning, catering and ancillary services for patients, to monitor the quality standards, reporting deficiencies and appropriate actions to the Manager.
Working as part of the team carrying out tasks as specified by the manager.
Working for our organisation
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
Join #TeamSurgery at Milton Keynes University Hospital
The surgery division at MKUH, which covers specialties including theatres and the Intensive Care Unit, offers a variety of roles and opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical. The division are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and forward-thinking professionals to join the team.
MKUH is one of the leading hospitals in Europe for implementing robotics to assist in surgery, becoming the first in the continent to use the CMR Versius robot for gynaecological surgery. Since its introduction in 2019, the theatres team have completed over 500 surgical cases, the first hospital in the UK to reach this milestone, achieving this in March 2023.
As well as being an innovator in robotics, the Trust is proud to be part of the New Hospital Programme, with plans to expand and increase our surgical capacity to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.
With a leading benefits package, and a growing hospital estate to meet one of the fastest growing populations in the country, it is a great time to join MKUH.
Find out more about working in #TeamSurgery at MKUH from the people who work across the division in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYel-Y9nrU
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Cleaning- To assist in monitoring and maintaining cleaning standards of the Ward, carrying out monthly audit, reporting deficiencies.
- To ensure equipment such as drip stands, commodes, trolleys are cleaned as per policy.
- To ensure the Ward is safe and tidy by removing clutter, tidying notice boards.
- To ensure there are sufficient sandwiches for the inpatient admissions each day.
- To serve breakfast to patients on the ward.
- To prepare drinks and hot snacks i.e.: toast for patients as requested taking into account nil by mouth status.
- To monitor service delivery of cleaning, catering and Ward environment, reporting deficiencies, and agreeing actions with Manager.
- To ensure defects are logged in call folder, closing when repair is carried out.
- To be responsible for the maintenance of the unit’s trollies, liaising with clinical engineering and equipment library as required.
- To receive, welcome and assist visitors to the area, liaising with other staff as appropriate.
- To transport equipment, consumables and written instructions as requested.
- To ensure that their own actions reduce risks to health and safety and to promote a health and safety culture within the workplace.
- To respond to emergencies as appropriate.
- To ensure patients have adequate supplies to meet basic needs i.e.: toiletries.
- To ensure the Ward has sufficient stocks to meet patient and staff needs.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria- Basic Mathematics & English
- Basic Food Hygiene
- Awareness of infection control issues.
- Understanding of Health and Safety in the workplace.
Experience
Essential criteria- Willingness to learn
- Confidentiality
- Cleaning/Housekeeping Duties
- Experience within the NHS
Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to support team
- Ability to follow instructions
- Good Customer Care skills
- Good time management
- Basic IT skills
Personal and people development
Essential criteria- Evidence of using initiative
- Flexible attitude & approach
- Smart Appearance
- Enthusiasm & motivation
Communication
Essential criteria- Good Customer Care Skills
- Calm, approachable manner
- Ability to receive and give correct messages
- Liaising with purchasing and representatives of medical companies.
- Able to show empathy and respect for families and patients.
Specific requirements
Essential criteria- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.