Facilities Support Staff

About Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) serves the West Essex community by delivering compassionate, safe, and high-quality healthcare. It participates in the Neighbourhood Wave national initiative aiming to improve service delivery by emphasizing prevention, early support, and integrated coordination across health, social care, and voluntary sectors. The Trust collaborates with local partners to provide care closer to patients' homes, promoting healthier and more independent living.

PAHT is an inclusive and supportive employer committed to equal opportunities and values its employees, offering development prospects, flexible work arrangements, and a focus on wellbeing.

Role Overview

This flexible, versatile position is part of the centralised Facilities Pool, designed to provide essential operational support across multiple departments. Staff may be assigned to areas such as housekeeping, domestic services, or portering, adjusting to service demands to maintain resilience and cover.

Key Responsibilities

• Adhere to Trust policies and standards, including National Cleaning Standards 2021, Manual Handling, Infection Prevention and Control, and Food Safety.
• Wear uniform and identification at all times, representing the department professionally and courteously.
• Complete mandatory training, participate in team meetings, huddles, appraisals, and audits.
• Remain flexible to redeployment across different operational areas as required.
• Carry out cleaning services, ward catering support, patient services transport, and liaise with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate smooth service delivery.
• Maintain accurate records and help implement service quality improvements.

Detailed Duties

Housekeeping and Ward Catering Support

• Serve meals and beverages to patients during scheduled meal times, ensuring correct dietary provisions and patient dignity.
• Collect meal orders and collaborate with ward staff and Mealtime Champions to maintain nutrition standards.
• Monitor food trolley temperatures and report issues.
• Keep ward kitchen areas clean and organized, complying with infection control and hygiene protocols.
• Track and report stock levels for kitchen supplies.

Domestic Cleaning and Hygiene

• Perform scheduled and additional cleaning tasks in both clinical and non-clinical environments using approved methods and materials.
• Comply with National Cleaning Standards and complete related documentation or Synbiotix audits.
• Ensure cleaning equipment is properly maintained and stored.
• Replenish consumables such as sanitizers, soaps, paper products, and waste bags.
• Manage waste disposal adhering to infection prevention procedures and notify supervisors of any cleanliness or environmental concerns.

Portering and Waste Management

• Safely transport patients, specimens, records, equipment, and meals across departments in compliance with infection control and manual handling guidelines.
• Respond to tasks via the portering system or radio, logging activities per procedure.
• Support emergency response teams during incidents such as cardiac arrests or fire alarms once trained.
• Conduct scheduled removal of various waste types, ensuring correct segregation and usage of personal protective equipment.
• Deliver waste to designated holding or collection points, complying with the Trust’s Waste Management Policy.

Additional Information

• Work schedule includes weekends, early mornings, late shifts, nights, and bank holidays.
• Uniform and comprehensive training provided, covering manual handling, food safety, infection control, and waste management.
• Appointment is contingent upon satisfactory references and occupational health clearance.
• Staff are expected to rotate through key service areas and complete core mandatory training.

The job description may evolve depending on service demands, with changes communicated after discussion with management. All responsibilities are governed by Trust policies and supervision.