It's a clean sweep for Linda and Bianca

A clean hospital is a cornerstone of infection prevention, but in the midst of a pandemic it is more vital than ever to keeping patients, visitors and healthcare workers safe.

At the forefront of Rockingham General Hospital (RGH)’s commitment to providing a clean and safe hospital environment, you can find cleaners Bianca Slade and Linda McLeary.

A cleaner for more than 10 years, Bianca (pictured top) first worked at Fremantle Hospital (FH) before moving to RGH in 2014.

Bianca primarily cleans general hospital areas such as offices, waiting areas and main foot traffic areas.

It was Bianca’s mum, a Patient Support Assistant at FH, who suggested she apply for a cleaning role.

“It was actually my first job out of school when I was 18,” Bianca said.

“I like this job because it gives you independence – you have to be very intuitive and be adaptive to change, like during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

As a mum of two children, Bianca appreciates the support and understanding of RkPG management when her kids are sick.

“It’s the flexibility and the teamwork that makes me stay – I really like working here.”

Linda (pictured bottom) is 61 years old and has worked in the Patient Support Services (PSS) team at RGH for nearly 10 years, three of those as a cleaner.

Originally from the country, Linda said she would have sought out a job at RGH twenty years ago if she knew how much she would enjoy it. It wasn’t until her father was a patient at RGH that she enquired about how to apply for a job.

Linda said roles such as these are not just suitable for young people. As she has grown older, Linda has preferred cleaning roles as they are easier on her body and she can go at her own pace, but she has done all sorts of roles in the PSS team.

“I’ve been the top job as leading hand, I’ve been the bottom job, I don’t mind. I like it, I have structure and I can think,” Linda said.

“I love my job and I like the people. It’s also about the patients – I enjoy saying hello and seeing if they need a hand.”

Rockingham Peel Group (RkPG) is currently looking for cleaners to join its PSS team and maintain a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness throughout hospital areas.

Applications to join the cleaning staff recruitment pool are now being accepted – visit the WA Health Jobs Board (external link) for more information.

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