Housekeeper

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Cleaning Duties

The postholder will be responsible for undertaking cleaning duties across the Practice, including:

Cleaning consultation rooms, treatment rooms and other clinical areas in accordance with Practice infection prevention and control procedures.

Cleaning reception, waiting areas, corridors, offices, staff areas and other communal spaces.

Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, handrails, switches, desks and other contact points.

Cleaning toilets and washroom facilities and replenishing soap, hand towels, toilet rolls and other consumables.

Vacuuming, sweeping and mopping floors as appropriate.

Cleaning sinks, work surfaces, furniture and fixtures.

Emptying waste bins and disposing of waste in accordance with the Practice's waste management procedures.

Ensuring clinical waste is handled appropriately and is not mixed with domestic waste.

Cleaning internal glass, doors and other areas as required.

Undertaking periodic and deeper cleaning tasks in accordance with the Practice cleaning schedule.

Ensuring cleaning equipment is cleaned, stored appropriately and maintained in good condition.

Monitoring stocks of cleaning materials and informing the appropriate member of staff when supplies require replenishment.

Using cleaning products and equipment safely and in accordance with manufacturers' instructions, COSHH requirements and Practice procedures.

Following colour-coded cleaning systems and other infection prevention measures where applicable.

Completing the Practice's daily cleaning logs electronically on TeamNet at the end of each shift, confirming that the required cleaning tasks have been undertaken.

Ensuring TeamNet cleaning records are completed accurately, consistently and contemporaneously. Any tasks that have not been completed, together with the reason, must be clearly recorded and brought to the attention of the appropriate manager.

Completing any additional cleaning schedules, checklists or monitoring documentation required by the Practice.

Infection Prevention and Control

The postholder will

• Follow all Practice infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Maintain appropriate standards of cleanliness within clinical and non-clinical environments.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately.
• Follow correct procedures for dealing with spillages, including blood and bodily fluids.
• Ensure cleaning equipment is used appropriately for designated areas to minimise the risk of cross-contamination.
• Report any infection prevention, cleanliness or environmental concerns promptly to the Practice Management Team.
• Complete infection prevention and control training as required.
• Health, Safety, Security and Keyholder Responsibilities

The postholder will

• Act as a designated keyholder for the Practice premises.
• Take appropriate responsibility for any Practice keys, alarm codes or other security information issued to them.
• Keep Practice keys and security information secure at all times and not lend, copy, share or allow unauthorised access to them.
• Immediately report the loss, theft or suspected compromise of any Practice key, access device or security information to the Practice Management Team.
• Follow the Practice's agreed procedures for entering, securing and leaving the premises.
• Where responsible for locking up, undertake the required end-of-day security checks, which may include ensuring windows and external doors are secure, appropriate lights/equipment are switched off and designated areas have been checked.
• Set the Practice alarm when required and follow the agreed procedure in the event of an alarm activation or security concern.
• Ensure that no unauthorised person is permitted access to the Practice premises.
• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of colleagues, patients and visitors.
• Follow Practice health and safety, fire safety, COSHH and security procedures.
• Report hazards, defects, damage, spillages or maintenance concerns promptly.
• Report accidents, incidents and near misses in accordance with Practice procedures.
• Ensure cleaning chemicals and equipment are stored securely and safely.
• Be aware of sharps risks within a healthcare environment and never handle discarded sharps unless specifically trained and authorised to do so.
• Report any concerns regarding the security of the building immediately to the appropriate member of the Practice Management Team.

Lone Working

The postholder will normally work alongside other staff where staffing arrangements allow. However, due to the nature and timing of the role, there may be occasions when the postholder is required to work alone within the Practice premises.

This may occur particularly during periods of annual leave, sickness absence or other unexpected staff absence.

When lone working, the postholder will be expected to

• Follow the Practice Lone Working Policy and associated risk assessment.
• Follow agreed procedures for entering, securing and leaving the premises.
• Maintain appropriate communication arrangements where required.
• Be familiar with emergency procedures, including fire, security and personal safety arrangements.
• Ensure they have access to an appropriate means of contacting assistance in an emergency.
• Follow the agreed escalation procedure should they discover an intruder, evidence of forced entry, suspicious activity or another security concern.
• Report any concerns relating to lone working promptly to the Practice Management Team.
• The Practice will undertake appropriate risk assessments and put reasonable measures in place to support the safety of employees undertaking lone working.

Confidentiality and Information Governance

Due to working within a healthcare environment, the postholder may inadvertently see or hear confidential information relating to patients or members of staff.

The postholder must

• Maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
• Never access, read, photograph, remove or disclose patient or staff information.
• Ensure documents, computer screens and other information encountered during cleaning are treated as confidential.
• Immediately report any confidentiality or information security concerns.
• Complete confidentiality, information governance and data security training as required.
• The duty of confidentiality continues after employment with the Practice has ended.

Training

The postholder will be expected to undertake mandatory and role-specific training, which may include:

Infection Prevention and Control

Health and Safety

COSHH

• Fire Safety
• Moving and Handling
• Data Security and Confidentiality
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Lone Working
• Practice security, alarm and keyholder procedures
• TeamNet and Practice electronic systems relevant to the role
• Other training identified by the Practice
• General Responsibilities

The postholder will

• Work professionally, courteously and respectfully with patients, visitors and colleagues.
• Maintain a high standard of personal conduct, reliability and punctuality.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the cleaning and Practice teams.
• Inform the appropriate manager promptly if unable to attend work.
• Maintain appropriate standards of dress and wear any uniform/PPE provided.
• Respect Practice property, equipment and facilities.
• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the nature and level of the post.

Flexibility

The duties outlined within this job description are not intended to be exhaustive.

The postholder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role to support the safe and effective operation of the Practice.

There may also be occasions when reasonable flexibility in working arrangements is required to support the Practice during periods of annual leave, sickness absence, staff shortages or other operational requirements. Any such requirements will be discussed with the postholder wherever reasonably practicable.