Rules, certificates and responsibility in the subject
The legal material and evidence you work by
Even though the service assistant trade is not an authorised trade like electrician or plumber trades it is far from rule-free. Part of your professionalism is knowing the rules evidence and considerations that apply to the work — and acting according to them. Here you get an overview of the most important.
§Mandatory certificates
On vocational educations, there are some certificates you must obtain before you can graduate. For service assistants, first aid and basic firefighting are among the mandatory certificates. They are there because you work in places where people move — and where you may be the first to need to react if something goes wrong.
- 01Certificate in first aid
- 02Certificate in elementary fire fighting
§Hygiene and quality standards
Especially in healthcare you work according to established hygiene principles and quality standards. Cleaning quality is often assessed against an agreed standard – INSTA 800 is a widespread Nordic standard for how to measure and document cleaning quality. In hospitals and the healthcare sector special guidelines for infection hygiene are also followed. This means your work must not only look clean but meet a measurable level.
§Chemicals and safety data sheets
You handle cleaning and disinfection products, and it is surrounded by rules. Each chemical product has a safety data sheet that tells you about hazards, correct use, storage, protective equipment, and first aid. Hazard labels on packaging warn with standardized symbols and phrases. Being able to read and follow this information is not optional — it is part of both your own and others' safety.
§Confidentiality obligation and personal data
In many places you come close to confidential matters — patient information personal conversations sensitive documents. You are bound by confidentiality and must treat what you see and hear with discretion. It is both about basic decency and about the rules that protect people's information. You do not read papers that do not pertain to your work and do not pass on what you happen to come across.
§Occupational health and safety rules apply to you too
Occupational health and safety legislation sets the framework for how work must be organized so you do not get hurt or worn down. This applies e.g. to heavy lifting use of chemicals protective equipment and working positions. You have both the right to a safe work environment and the duty to follow the instructions and use the equipment provided.
“The rules are not there to bother you – they are there because someone before you was hurt without them.”
— Occupational health and safety professional point