NHS Hospital Cleaner Job Description

For many years, there has been a negative stigma attached to being a cleaner, it was seen as a low paid, unskilled, dirty job. But times have changed, cleaning is now a respected, well paid career, whether you clean hospitals for the NHS, or for a private business.

Workers who clean for the NHS are known as “Domestic Assistants”, they keep hospitals, GP Surgeries, Health Centres, and admin departments hygienically clean and tidy. Domestic Assistants are valued as much as any other NHS employee walking the corridors of a hospital.

Not only do Domestic Assistant cleaners keep floors, doors, wash areas, wards, laundry, and all areas of a hospital looking fresh and clean, but they play a crucial role in protecting unwell patients and hard working staff, by preventing the spread of germs, bacteria, and harmful pathogens.

Let’s take a walk through all aspects involved in an NHS hospital cleaning job – from equipment to pay.

Cleaning Job Responsibilities and Duties

Here’s a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities that you may expect to carry out working as an NHS cleaner – Domestic Assistant:

• Use of spray and aerosol cleaners
• Maintaining and disinfecting shared spaces
• Properly storing dangerous substances
• Washing floors with mops or automatic hard floor cleaners or scrubber dryers
• Replenishing cleaning fluids as necessary
• Keep carpeting clean with vacuums or carpet cleaners
• Washing bathrooms, sinks, and showers areas
• Performing thorough damp dusting
• Notifying about any issues with maintenance or repairs
• Always strictly adhering to safety guidelines and hospital policies
• Empty bins and disposing of it correctly, following waste disposal guidelines
• Cleaning equipment thoroughly after each use
• Helping with cleaning tasks as needed – including body fluids
• Gathering supplies for general cleaning and linens as necessary
• Following infection prevention and control guidelines at all times
• Keeping detailed records, especially regarding ISO 9001:2008 and employee information
• Ensuring correct data and information is entered into electronic systems
• Following safety guidelines for COSHH
• Performing all tasks with a strong focus on health and safety, and reporting any incidents, defects, or dangers to the supervisor or designated safety officer for that area.
• Attending monthly cleaning staff meetings as directed by management

In addition to tidying and disinfecting shared spaces like waiting areas, bathrooms, and eating areas, NHS Cleaners also take care of patient treatment rooms and recovery wards. They perform duties like washing bed sheets and cleaning surfaces and medical devices.

Cleaning Tools and Equipment

In your new role as a domestic cleaner, you will receive the necessary training on how to use cleaning equipment, which may include upright vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, commercial dry scrubbers, ride-on machines, and carper cleaner machines. Even on how to use sprays with clothes, and disinfectants with water and mops.

This equipment training encompasses health and safety, as well as basic manual handling skills, along with an overview of the department. You may also be encouraged to pursue a certification, like an NVQ in cleaning or one of the credentials provided by the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). Additionally, you might have the chance to earn a certification through an apprenticeship.

Employers might require their employees to attend specific training sessions on topics such as handling dangerous waste or infection and biohazard controls.

As you gain more experience, a domestic services assistant could advance to lead a team. With additional experience, they might move up to the role of a manager, overseeing a department or section. Cleaning is not the “dead end job” it was once considered to be, as the NHS has many progression opportunists.

NHS hospital cleaners utilize a range of tools and materials designed to maintain high standards of hygiene and efficiency for workers. According to the NHS Cleaning Manual, some of the basic essential tools and materials include:

Cleaning Equipment

1. Microfiber Cloths and Mops: These are preferred for their ability to trap dirt and bacteria effectively.
2. Vacuum Cleaners: Used for cleaning carpets and all floors in a hospital
3. Floor Scrubbers and buffers: Machines used for deep cleaning flooring
4. Steam Cleaners: Ideal for disinfecting and deep clean tight spaces without the need for chemical cleaners.

Cleaning Agents

1. Detergents: General-purpose cleaners for removing dirt and grime.
2. Disinfectants: Chemical agents used to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces.
3. Bleach Solutions: Strong disinfectants used in areas requiring high-level sterilization.
4. Enzymatic Cleaners: Used particularly in areas where bodily fluids are present, as they break down organic matter effectively.

Domestic Assistant Clothing and Uniform

You’ll find that most female cleaners and domestic staff will wear a tunic, while men opt for a polo shirt. These NHS uniform colours are usually mid/dark greens, teal, or blue.

Along with your base uniform, you’ll may need to wear certain PPE equipment depending on the cleaning job you’re undertaking. This equipment can include; disposable polymer aprons, gowns, and sleeves, rubber gloves, face shield, mask, non-slip footwear, or safety glasses.

Working Pay and Hours

Domestic cleaners are paid at Band 2 rate. This is at the lowest end of the pay band scale. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t make a good living. Band 2 NHS staff are paid £23,615 a year, with an expected take home pay of £1,505 monthly, after tax, NI contributions, and pension deductions.

This Band 2 rate is not exclusive for cleaners (Domestic Assistants), it covers several positions within the NHS, including housekeeping assistants, secretaries, receptionists, drivers, and nursing assistants.

NHS works on a pay Band system that runs from 2 to 9, with 9 being the highest paid positions, and 2 the lowest, but like I said, Band 2 is still a decent pay for the work and conditions. In fact, the Band 2 cleaner salary jumped from £22,383 in 2023 to £23,614 in 2024 under the Agenda for Change pay increase.

You’ll typically find these cleaning jobs offered on a permanent 37.5 (37 in Scotland) hours a week contract. There are also 17.5 hour week contracts, so you can choose to work either full or part time.

Depending on the hospital and contract type, your working hours will differ, and may change of a rota system.

NHS Domestic Assistant Job Vacancies

The best place to find all the most up to date cleaning jobs within the NHS is through online job portals or directly on the NHS job-boards.