Cleaning Operative, Cleaning Services

Lancaster Medical Practice (LMP) is a large General Practice organisation delivering patient‑centred primary care across multiple sites. The cleaning service supports safe, accessible and clinically effective care by maintaining clean, hygienic and welcoming premises for patients, visitors and colleagues.

The Estates Cleaning Operative will help ensure that LMP clinical, non-clinical, patient-facing and staff areas are clean, hygienic, well‑presented and safe for patients, visitors and colleagues. The post‑holder will be expected to work across multiple LMP premises and may be required to provide cover at other sites to maintain safe and consistent cleaning standards.

The post‑holder will carry out scheduled, periodic and responsive cleaning in accordance with LMP policies, local cleaning schedules, infection prevention and control requirements, COSHH arrangements and the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness. They will maintain accurate cleaning records, report concerns promptly and work professionally in live GP practice environments where confidentiality, dignity and discretion are essential.

Location:

One post will be based at our University site, 3 hours per day; the other Owen Road site, 2 hours per day. The post‑holder could be required to work flexibly across any LMP site in accordance with service need, rota arrangements, absence cover and operational priorities.

• Cleaning standards and schedules: Carry out agreed cleaning duties across clinical rooms, treatment rooms, waiting areas, reception areas, offices, corridors, toilets, staff rooms, kitchens and other designated areas, following local schedules, frequencies and recognised cleaning methods. Use cleaning checklists, sign‑off sheets and electronic records accurately at the time work is undertaken; participate in cleanliness monitoring, IPC audits, service reviews and agreed remedial action plans.
• Presentation and high‑touch areas: Maintain areas to a visibly clean, tidy and safe standard, paying particular attention to high‑frequency touch points such as door handles, light switches, handrails, keyboards, telephones, chairs, taps and dispensers.
• Infection prevention: Use the correct cleaning process, colour‑coded equipment, products, PPE and hand hygiene practices for each area and task, preventing cross‑contamination and escalating infection prevention concerns promptly.
• Clinical areas and contamination: Clean and disinfect agreed clinical surfaces and patient contact areas, and respond to spillages or blood/body fluid incidents only where trained, equipped and authorised to do so.
• Enhanced cleaning: Support outbreak, enhanced or ad‑hoc cleaning requirements when requested by the Facilities Coordinator, Estates & Facilities Manager or IPC Lead.
• Waste and sustainability: Empty and replace waste bags from designated bins, ensuring domestic, recycling, offensive/hygiene and clinical waste streams are segregated, handled and stored in line with local policy, training and environmental responsibilities. Loose sharps or unidentified hazardous items must be reported immediately and not handled.
• Consumables and storage: Replenish agreed consumables such as soap, hand towels, toilet rolls, alcohol gel, waste bags and cleaning materials, and keep cleaning cupboards, trolleys and storage areas tidy, secure and appropriately stocked.
• Records, audits and evidence: Complete cleaning checklists, sign‑off sheets and electronic records accurately at the time work is undertaken; participate in cleanliness monitoring, IPC audits, service reviews and agreed remedial action plans.
• Defects and escalation: Report faulty equipment, damaged surfaces, hazards, pest activity, repeated stock shortages, waste concerns or barriers to effective cleaning through the agreed route, including Fault Fixers where required.
• COSHH and equipment safety: Use cleaning products and equipment safely, following manufacturer instructions, product labels, COSHH information, risk assessments, training and local procedures. Chemicals must never be mixed or used outside agreed instructions.
• Safe working: Use PPE, wet‑floor signs, barriers and safe manual…