Hospitality professionals up and down the country are using their unique skillsets to bring real value to non-clinical roles, and it’s no surprise given the similarities between the attributes required! We caught up with one of our Off To Worker’s to discuss their experience working within the NHS during a global health crisis…
Tischke is one of Off to Work’s many hospitality professionals who has heroically supported our NHS on the front line during the first peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Having neither worked in a healthcare environment nor in domestic services, Tischke took up a Clinical Cleaning role at the Nightingale London and used skills honed in hospitality to transcend industry boundaries.
Here we asked Tischke which top five skills she took with her from hospitality to the hospital!
1. Teamwork
The ability to read your colleagues, interact and build relationships is priceless. Working in a hospitality you have to learn how to handle different people and act as a team and a united front.
“Teamwork in a healthcare setting is vital, porters and cleaners work in partnership with the medical professionals and their roles are crucial to the care that is provided.”
2. Flexibility
“Some shifts may run longer than planned, some may finish early, sometimes your manager calls you last minute for a shift when someone else called in sick. Hospitality workers know that they have to adapt and be flexible to accommodate changes which may not always be in the management’s power.”
Within a healthcare environment this is massively pertinent and although Tischke’s role commenced in Clinical Cleaning her responsibilities encompassed all aspects of Facilities Management; it wasn't long before she was promoted to Team Leader and took on a Training Facilitator role.
3. Customer service
Working in hospitality teaches you patience and politeness. When dealing with guests you often have repeat clientele who you see daily or weekly and form bonds with. “In a healthcare setting, such as the ward, communication is of utmost importance - you have to be able to speak clearly but also have interpersonal communication skills when dealing with medical professionals as well as patients and their families.”
4. Crisis management
In such a fast-paced environment like hospitality, crisis is something that you cannot avoid. The knowledge of how to deal with it is a fantastic skill and certainly prepared Tischke for the ups and downs on the front line of the NHS. “ Working in a Covid-19 hospital posed many risks to ourselves as well as the people around us - at work and at home. As a cleaner you always had to think on your feet and carefully consider a task. Infection Control was of cardinal importance at all times.”
5. Endurance
If you’ve ever worked a ten-hour waiting shift you will know hospitality can be absolutely exhausting. Being on your feet and physically challenging yourself while working is also part and parcel of a role within the healthcare sector – there is no closing time!
For Tischke “The approach is just as important as the task - to stay motivated and provide excellent service with care will lead to a job well done. This attitude can influence a whole team's effort.”
Off To Work are proud to have supported our NHS during the pandemic providing non-clinical teams to assist in all areas from domestics to administration and security. To find out more about how we can assist by providing flexible trained teams please
