Job summary
An exciting and rare opportunity has arisen for a motivated and highly organised individual to join the Estates and Facilities Team as a Head Housekeeper.
Main duties of the job
As Head Housekeeper at our Hospice facility, you will play a vital role in ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable environment for our patients, their families, visitors and staff. You will oversee a team of dedicated cleaning staff, manage schedules and ensure all areas of the hospice are maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene, in line with current healthcare cleaning standards.
About us
Our vision
Every day, we strive to achieve our vision of providing a safe, compassionate environment, with highly-skilled staff with time to listen, advise and create personalised holistic programmes of care.
Our care provides emotional and practical support, helping to reduce symptoms of illness and the side effects of treatment.
It is our intention to continue, where possible, to identify and take advantage of opportunities to expand on the work that we do and offer our support to more and more people in our community.
One daywed like to be able to offer our support to everyone who needs us.
Our values
Our values are simple: care, compassion and kindness. It is these values, that makeourvision a reality every day.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Supervision and Team Leadership:
Lead and supervisea team of Domestic staff, providing guidance and support as needed.
To harness positive working relations within the team and maintain excellentlines of communication across 3 teams who work different shifts and locationsaround the hospice.
Train new Domesticstaff and provide ongoing training and support to all team members to ensure thehighest cleaning standards.
Assign tasks andresponsibilities to team members, ensuring that all areas of the hospice arecovered efficiently.
Conduct regular performance evaluations with the Estates &Facilities Lead and provide constructive feedback to ensure high standards ofwork are maintained.
To maintain a clean and tidy appearance and to always follow therequired food hygiene practices.
Cleaning Operations Management:
Support the Estates& Facilities Lead to implement cleaning schedules and protocols to ensureall areas of the hospice are cleaned and sanitized regularly.
Monitor inventory levels of cleaning supplies and equipment, andcoordinate with the admin department to ensure adequate stock levels aremaintained.
Conduct regular inspections with the Estate and Facilities Leadto ensure compliance withcleanliness standards and actively identify areas for improvement.
Quality Control and Compliance:
Ensure that all cleaning activities comply with health and safetyregulations, including COSHH (Control ofSubstances Hazardous to Health), infection control protocols, and hospicepolicies and procedures.
Implement measuresto prevent cross-contamination and the spread of infections within the hospiceenvironment.
Collaborate withother departments, such as facilities management and nursing, to address anycleaning-related issues or concerns and to resolve promptly.
Training and Development:
Provide training tocleaning staff on proper cleaning techniques, use of equipment, and adherenceto safety protocols.
Stay informed about best practices in cleaning and infection control andshare knowledge with the cleaning team to enhance their skills and expertise.
Communication and Reporting:
Serve as the primary point of contact for cleaning-related inquiries andconcerns from staff, residents, and families.
Maintain good relationships with patients, staff, public and volunteersof the hospice.
Prepare regular reports on cleaning activities, including inspectionresults, staff performance, and resource utilisation, and communicate findingsto the Estates & Facilities Lead.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Proven experience in a supervisory or management role, preferably in a healthcare or hospitality setting.
2. Strong knowledge of cleaning techniques, products, and equipment, with a focus on infection control and sanitation.
3. Familiarity with health and safety regulations, including COSHH.
4. Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
5. Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
6. Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
7. Ability to work collaboratively with other departments and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
8. A compassionate and understanding approach, aligned with the ethos of hospice care.
9. Effective written and oral communication and interpersonal skills is essential.
10. Certification in cleaning or housekeeping management is a plus.
11. An understanding of COSHH is desirable but training will be provided.
12. Qualified in food hygiene level 2 would be desirable, but training will be provided.
13. An understanding of the services of the Hospice and knowledge of the local community that Mary Stevens Hospice serves is desirable.