Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Healthcare cleaning operative standard?
Knowledge
K1: National and local standards, policies, guidelines and procedures which could include: • manual handling • use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • the NHS cleaning specification • waste disposal • safeguarding and data protection
K2: How to manage risk (i.e. follow out risk assessments, risk categories and colour coding) and identify when there is a need for change from routine to enhanced cleaning protocols in line with the Local and National standards and polices.
K3: Preparation for cleaning methodologies and techniques
K4: Chemical competence to include dilution ratios and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
K5: Selection and use of correct cleaning equipment and machinery for a range of routine and specialist cleans (e.g. hard floors, clinical areas, communal areas, dining areas) including cleaning of equipment after use and principles of PAT testing to ensure safe to use
K6: The roles and responsibilities in relation to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (e.g. schedules of work, recording of completed tasks, fault reporting and stock recording / ordering)
K7: The principles of infection prevention control and how these apply to the role. For example: • segregation of waste types • the correct identification and use of a range of waste storage containers (sacks and bags) • the safe disposal of waste and spent solutions, • the cleaning of rooms where a patient is being barrier nursed. • compliance with the cleaning and disinfecting policy as well as colour coding
K8: How to recognise the signs of pest infestation and the methods to deal with each e.g. rodents, cockroach, insects & pigeon waste. How to report according to local procedures and work with partners to eradicate them in line with local and national standards and policies.
K9: How to respond to different rapid response cleans e.g. bodily fluid, chemical spillage, hazardous waste
K10: The principles of scheduled and periodic cleaning, prioritisation of work and the escalation process
K11: Types of cleaning and the difference between disinfection and cleaning to include: • terminal cleans • barrier cleans • isolation cleans • discharge cleans • decontamination cleans
K12: The principles of personal hygiene and the implications for the role i.e. clean uniform, hand hygiene and cross contamination)) for example; • use of PPE • the bare below the elbow process, • hand hygiene requirements.
K13: How to assemble and disassemble a range of service user equipment for cleaning (e.g. hospital beds, trolleys and trays)
K14: Soil classification/contaminating material and removal methods to include: • organic soiling • inorganic soiling • microbiological residues
K15: Housekeeping of storage areas best practice, techniques and implications to include: • stock rotation • ordering of materials • optimum storage environment for chemicals and machinery
K16: Security of cleaning equipment and materials, reasons and implications
K17: Communication techniques which could include: • conflict management • dealing with patients with dementia • dealing with very young patients
K18: The principles of Equality & Diversity, the importance of culture awareness and implications for the role. e.g. age, race, religion, disability, those with dementia)
K19: Importance of portraying a positive corporate image (e.g. customer service, smart appearance)
Skills
S1: Comply with National and local standards, policies, guidelines and procedures to include: • manual handling, • use of PPE, • the NHS cleaning specification, • waste disposal, • safeguarding and data protection • the correct identification and use of a range of waste storage containers (sacks and bags) • the safe disposal of waste and spent solutions • compliance with the cleaning and disinfecting policy as well as colour coding
S2: Carry out risk assessments
S3: Identify risk categories and colour coding correctly in order to carry out cleaning appropriately
S4: Prepare cleaning materials and machinery appropriate to the task
S5: Select the correct chemicals for the task considering COSHH and using correct dilution rates and applicable data sheets
S6: Select and use correct cleaning equipment (fogging machine, floor machines) and equipment for a range of routine and specialist cleans (e.g. hard floors, clinical areas, communal areas, pool side, mortuary, operating theatres) including cleaning of equipment after use and applies principles of PAT testing to ensure equipment is safe to use.
S7: Carry out tasks according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (e.g. schedules of work, recording of completed tasks, fault reporting, stock recording / ordering)
S8: Recognise the signs of infestation and follow organisational procedures to appropriately address and eradicate the problem. e.g. rodents, insects, cockroach & pigeon waste, report according to local procedures and work with partners to eradicate them in line with local and national standards and policies.
S9: Carry out tasks to the appropriate standard to ensure infection prevention and control. For example the cleaning of rooms where a patient is being barrier nursed.
S10: Carry out different rapid response cleans (e.g. bodily fluid, chemical spillage, hazardous waste)
S11: Carry out scheduled and periodic cleaning, prioritising work where required
S12: Carry out a range of cleaning and disinfection tasks to include: • terminal cleans • barrier cleans • isolation cleans • discharge cleans • decontamination cleans
S13: Apply the principles of hygiene to the role (i.e. clean uniform, hand hygiene and cross contamination). Appropriately use PPE and apply the bare below the elbow process.
S14: Assemble and disassemble a range of service user equipment for cleaning (e.g. hospital beds, trolleys and trays)
S15: Demonstrate housekeeping of storage areas best practice, techniques and implications to include stock rotation, ordering of materials, optimum storage environment (temperature, humidity, ventilation) for chemicals and machinery.
S16: Ensure the security of cleaning equipment and materials
S17: Classify soils/contaminating matter correctly and apply the most appropriate removal methods which could include: • organic soiling, • inorganic soiling • microbiological residues
S18: Communicate with colleagues, patients and their families professionally
S19: Apply the principles of Equality & Diversity at all times being culturally aware and adapting tasks to suit the needs of the patient (e.g. age, race, religion, disability, those with dementia)
B2: Working independently and as part of a team; having the courage to challenge areas of concern and working to evidence based best practice
B3: Reliability and consistency, taking responsibility for the integrity of your own actions and completed work
B4: Time management and ability to complete work to schedule
B5: A flexible approach to your work when required
B6: Analytical thinker and problem solver
Duty 1
DUTY: Provide routine hygienic cleaning of the healthcare environment to maintain all standards in compliance with the National Standard of Healthcare Cleanliness 2019 as a minimum as well as local standards policy, guidelines and operating procedures
K1
K2
K3
K5
K10
S1
S3
S4
S7
S11
B2
B4
Duty 2
DUTY: Undertake specialist cleaning projects, both scheduled or in response to an issue using area decontamination technology
K2
K9
K11
S5
S6
S9
S11
B5
B6
Duty 3
DUTY: Distinguish and demonstrate between cleaning and disinfection procedures to comply with processes to match requirements
K9
K11
S3
S6
S11
S12
Duty 4
DUTY: Determine the classification of soil and contaminating material in order to apply appropriate techniques/methodology for its safe removal
K9
K10
K14
S5
S10
S17
B1
Duty 5
DUTY: Demonstrate organisational skills to prioritise workloads and respond to the changes of the working environment as required
K9
K10
S10
S11
B4
B6
Duty 6
DUTY: Select and use the most appropriate chemical or biochemical cleaning product to be used for the task to be undertaken in accordance with the legal and organisational requirements and compliance with legislation
K3
K4
S3
S4
S5
B6
Duty 7
DUTY: Safely use, store and maintain cleaning equipment, materials and products in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, legal and organisational requirements. Ensure their decontamination and safe preparation for next use
K5
K16
S4
S6
S16
B3
Duty 8
DUTY: Demonstrate good housekeeping practices within the storage area including a clean environment, stock rotation and control and reporting and recording as required
K15
K16
S15
B3
Duty 9
DUTY: Use standard reporting formats and appropriate media to accurately record and report work carried out in accordance with cleaning specifications
K6
K10
S7
B2
Duty 10
DUTY: Communicate with service users contributing to a positive service user experience maintaining confidentiality at all times
K17
K18
K19
S18
S19
S20
B1
B2
Duty 11
DUTY: Follow infection prevention and control policy and procedures to prevent cross contamination risks and the spread of infection
K2
K7
K12
S2
S3
S9
S13
B4
B5
Duty 12
DUTY: Recognise signs of pest infestation and work with partners to eradicate them
K8
S8
B6
Duty 13
DUTY: Assemble and disassemble a significant range of healthcare service user equipment for cleaning purposes in line with manufacturers standard operating procedures and national standards 2019
