Position overview

Infrastructure and Health Support Services (IHSS) are an integral part of Canberra Health Services (CHS), delivering essential facility, infrastructure, and support services that enable Canberra Hospital and community-based health services to operate safely and effectively.

As part of IHSS, the Environmental Cleaning Services team is responsible for delivering high-quality cleaning services across Canberra Hospital and community-based facilities. The service is essential in the effective operation of the overall health service by ensuring clean, safe and welcoming environments that contribute to clinical operations and a positive experience for everyone who uses our facilities.

Cleaning Supervisors are responsible for delivering high standard cleaning services that maintain clean, hygienic, and safe environments according to CHS procedures and processes. This role provides guidance and supervision to Cleaning Officers to ensure consistent compliance with infection prevention and control procedures in accordance with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Organise, supervise and monitor day-to-day cleaning workflows within a healthcare environment, ensuring all cleaning schedules are completed and signed off in a timely manner.
2. Oversee cleaning officer duties across allocated areas which may include clinical areas (such  as patient wards, theatres, clinics), non-clinical areas (such as administrative and office spaces), public areas (such as foyer, waiting areas, bathrooms), and outdoor areas, or assume responsibility for central coordination and support provided through the helpdesk.
3. Ensure safe work practices and oversee staff compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) and the relevant CHS procedures, including infection control and prevention procedures, in alignment with National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, and as required for the allocated area.
4. Support the team with induction, training, recruitment, toolbox talks and performance management.
5. Build and maintain internal stakeholder working relationships, including collaboration with clinical teams and facility management and support teams involved in service delivery.
6. Trouble shoot and resolve cleaning issues as required by exercising initiative and judgement in solving day-to-day operational problems and actively participate in risk management and work and safety (WHS) processes, including submission and review of Riskman reports.
7. Conduct cleaning audits, capture and record performance data to assess the effectiveness of cleaning activities, follow up with rectifications and communicate audit processes and outcomes.
8. Assist with roster coverage and backfill arrangements as required.
9. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following:

• Demonstrated supervisory skills in an operational role, with the ability to lead by example and deliver quality results while creating a positive workplace culture.
• Well-developed communication skills, including negotiation and liaison skills, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative and productive relationships with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of WHS requirements with commitment and leadership in ensuring safe work practices are followed by self and team members.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the required physical duties on a regular basis, ensuring operational continuity and providing roster coverage for cleaning services as needed.
• Ability to lead and work as a part of a team and independently without supervision.
• Demonstrated understanding and ability to apply the principles of patient confidentiality and privacy.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet patient and staff needs contributing to the positive patient experience and work environment.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications and experience include, but is not limited to, the following.

Essential

• A current driver’s license Class C.
• Successful applicants will be required to attend and successfully complete Nationally Accredited NAT11084 Asbestos Awareness Training and NAT10830 Silica Awareness Training in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention within one month of commencement.

The Silica Awareness and Asbestos Awareness training will be provided by CHS as required.

Desirable

• Knowledge of or the ability to gain an understanding of infection prevention and control processes within a health care facility.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Specific experience includes, but is not limited to, the following.

Essential

• Experience in a cleaning role with proven ability to lead others in the workplace.
• Have an appropriate level of functional physical fitness to perform the manual activities of the role.
• Have access to a mobile phone to receive calls/SMS and mobile data and to access the Workforce Management Rostering System.

Desirable

• Experience in a cleaning supervisory role, preferably in a health care environment.
• Knowledge or experience in training and development.
• Administrative and computer skills, with ability to use different systems.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Clearance of compliance with CHS Procedure on Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• be available to work a 24/7 rotating roster including night duty.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Demonstrated knowledge and experience of commercial cleaning, preferably in a health care environment, including:
   • application of infection control and prevention guidelines and national standards.
   • correct and safe operation and maintenance of cleaning equipment and machinery.
   • use of cleaning chemicals, including appropriate use, storage and disposal methods.
2. Proven ability to communicate and liaise professionally and effectively with a broad range of people including experience in working collaboratively and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders such as clinical teams, facilities management and support services.
3. Demonstrated experience in training, guiding and supporting cleaning staff to comply with policies and procedures in all aspects of cleaning operations.
4. Proven time management skills with the ability to supervise staff, monitor work practices, set priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.