Head - Housekeeper

Job description / Role

This position is responsible for overseeing the Housekeeping services for an individual hospital/site divisions of HMC (Hamad Medical Corporation) thereby achieving HMC’s vision.

It includes assisting the Director of Housekeeping and in coordinating and supporting all activities of the department and oversees housekeeping services for the hospital/site divisions.

It involves working with all levels of hospital staff in matters relating to the cleanliness of the hospital environment and facilities whilst ensuring the hospital meets the strict codes provided by the JCI (Joint Commission International) guidelines and standards of Hospitality Assured.

This position is guided by thorough knowledge of housekeeping practices, applicable laws and government regulations, as well as the policies of HMC.

Principal Accountabilities:

Planning and Organizing
- Responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of data and reports.
- Assist in the control of expenses within area of responsibility. Including manpower and overtime of the outsourced housekeeping and gardening companies.
- Make recommendations for the hospital/site divisions operating budget and ensure the budget is followed.
- Together with the Director of Housekeeping coordinates grounds maintenance and care with concerned individuals and departments.
- Under the guidance of the Director of Housekeeping work with the HR Department to hire, evaluate and where applicable discipline the housekeeping staff.
- Maintain records and statistics for administrative and regulatory purposes.
- Plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and supervise functions and activities of the department as directed.
- Recommend work standards and work flow to meet HMC’s environmental cleanliness expectations, ensuring preventative action to avoid pollution and contamination entering the environment.
- Implement the required policies and procedures for departmental operations.
- Coordinate deep cleaning programmes for hospital patient rooms and public areas as directed.
- Conduct regular inspections of all hospital areas, maintaining inventory control systems for all supplies, chemicals and equipment as managed by Contractor.
- Together with the Housekeeping leadership control outsourced housekeeping services according to agreed upon monitoring and reporting structures.
- Handles all aspects of employee’s welfare such as grievances, pay and personnel queries etc.
- Be proactive in the achievement of the HMC goals and objectives.
- Demonstrate quality leadership in meeting performance plans

Training and Development
- Ensures housekeeping staff participates in training and development programme schedules within the Hospital/site division and HMC.
- Ensure training includes the role the staff plays in creating and maintaining a healthy environment in addition to training on equipment, materials and methods.
- With the Director of Housekeeping, ensure that Performance Appraisal system implemented is adhered to according to company policy.
- Encourage and nurture employee creativity and innovation within the HMC guidelines.

Quality Management
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory agencies, reporting any concerns to the Director of Housekeeping.
- Maintain an environment that is in sanitary, attractive, and orderly condition.
- Ensure cleaning chemicals are used safely and properly in accordance with the department guidelines and assuring compliance with COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and local safety standards
- Ensure staff compliance with infection control procedures within the environment.
- Report items in need of repair and/or maintenance and follow up to ensure completion
- Recognize the impact of cleaning wastes on the environment and ensure a system is followed for the safe disposal of garbage and waste
- Read and develop in Quality Management processes relating to the environment
- Ensure a safe and secure working environment through effective compliance with all health, safety and hygiene legislation, maintain safety at work and be aware of fire fighting and evacuation procedures
- Report all defects and signs of infestation to the Engineering Department of the hospital/site division & Pest Control Service and follow up on maintenance work orders.
- Clean for health and safety first, not just appearance. Dirt, film, grime and other contaminants that can’t be seen should nevertheless be cleaned to ensure pollution doesn’t migrate and diminish indoor air quality in all parts of the building.

General
- Demonstrate and promote HMC culture, values, and management philosophy.
- Keep Housekeeping Department informed of Housekeeping activities, needs, or concerns.
- Demonstrate good communication skills with hospital staff, patients and suppliers.
- Act as a positive role model.
- To perform other duties as may be assigned.
- Can work in shifts to ensure a 24/7 service, including weekends.

Requirements

Education:
- Minimum: Secondary School and additionally an 2-3 years apprenticeship with certificate or equivalent hotel school certificate; And additional 6 years working experience within the service industry.
- Preferred: High School Diploma and 6 years housekeeping working experience in hotel or hospital.

Experience:
- Minimum: Out of 6 years work experience 3 years as a Senior Supervisor or equivalent position in Hotels and/or Hospitals of similar size and/or volume.
- Preferred: Out of 6 years housekeeping work experience 4 years to be within a 5* International Hotel or international recognized service conscious Hospital in a managerial/ supervisory position.

- Language Skills: Spoken and written English and preferred one additional language e.g. Arabic, Hindi
- Computer Skills: Good to Advanced computer skills

Key Competencies:
- Must be able to communicate effectively with Department Heads and senior employees for all Housekeeping requirements.
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Service oriented/quality attitude
- Plan, organize and achieve effective time management
- Ability to work under pressure whilst meeting established goals and objectives
- Strong communication skills
- Ability and experience in working as a cleaner to be able to deliver on the job trainings to a small to mid-size group of participants.
- Ability to motivate a low skills workforce team
- High ethical standards and professional demeanor
- Strong attention to detail in regards to quality of service, housekeeping standards and customer requirements
- Strong (potential)leadership skills

Problem Solving / Decision Making:
- Able to apply problem solving techniques efficiently.
- Must be comfortable in a fast paced environment and able to exercise good judgment.
- Able to take decisions in own area of expertise to ensure desirable solutions are achieved.

Key Relationship:
- Director of Housekeeping
- Heads of Department
- Heads of Unit
- Housekeeping Department Colleagues
- Engineering
- Quality Management
- Occupational Health & Safety

About the Company

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the principal public healthcare provider for the State of Qatar. HMC is committed to actively contributing to and enabling the sustainable development of Qatar and its people in alignment with the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030.

HMC believes in excellence in healthcare, education and research with each supporting the other to provide the safest, most effective and compassionate care to each and every one of our patients.

To meet the healthcare challenges of Qatars growing population, Hamad has transformed into a thriving and integrated Academic Health System which will make significant, positive impacts upon patient care, medical education and medical research.

In addition to three general hospitals (Al Khor Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital and The Cuban Hospital) HMC also manages five specialist hospitals (Hamad General Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, Womens Hospital, the National Center for Cancer Care and Research and Heart Hospital) which look after patients with the most prevalent conditions, including cancer, heart conditions, rehabilitation, and providing specialist treatment for women and children.