Bank Catering Assistant

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Enhanced unsociable hours pay

Paid annual leave

Fast-track progression to substantive

Shift booking online

SMS shift notifications

Staff wellbeing support

Discounts for NHS staff

Free uniform

Job summary

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking Bank Catering Assistants to support the Catering Department across trust-wide locations. The role offers flexible hours, online shift booking, enhanced pay for unsociable hours and paid annual leave, with DBS as a potential requirement.

Responsibilities include food preparation, service to patients and staff, equipment cleaning, and maintaining hygiene standards.

Qualifications

• Basic Food Hygiene/Level 1 Food Safety certificate is required or to be achieved within 6 months of start date.
• Numerate and literate skills required; able to handle tasks and records.
• NVQ Level 1 or 2 and GCSEs in Maths/English or equivalent are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare foodstuffs and assist with service to patients, visitors and staff.
• Carry out general cleaning of equipment and areas in the Catering Department.
• Operate central dish wash area and handle basic kitchen duties.
• Support flexible staffing across 7 days, picking up shifts as needed.
• Follow HACCP policies and Health and Safety requirements.
• Assist with stock checks, ordering and maintaining cleanliness in the dining areas.

Education

Basic Food Hygiene and/or Level 1 Food Safety Certificate

Basic Numerate & Literate Skills

NVQ Level 1 or 2

GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent)

Job description

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Bank Catering Assistant

The closing date is 25 November 2026

Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management (NHFM) provides specialist project management, estates maintenance and a full range of facilities services. Please note that NHFML is a wholly owned subsidiary of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The successful applicant will be an employee of the subsidiary and not the NHS. Please note the terms and conditions are closely aligned to that of the NHS.

We require reliable, enthusiastic and motivated Catering Assistants to join our bank to work trust wide.

• Flexible hours; choose when and where you want to work
• Competitive pay rates; including enhanced pay for unsociable hours
• Paid annual leave
• A fast-track recruitment process if you move to a substantive role
• Opportunities to work in different wards and departments, including community, dental and specialist services
• Access to Services, such as those provided by our Staff Wellbeing Team
• Ability to book your shifts from home using our online portal
• Option to block-book shifts in a set period
• SMS notifications of shift availability
• Access to staff newsletters and bulletins
• Eligible for various local and national discounts which are available to NHS staff
• Free uniform, where applicable

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.

Main duties of the job

Our catering assistants are responsible for the preparation of foodstuffs, general cleaning of equipment and areas within the Catering Department and preparation and service of food to patients on the ward or to patients, visitors and staff in the dining room.

The role is to support high standards of care to our patients. You will need to embrace our trust values, demonstrate excellent communication skills, and have a flexible approach to your work.

We have variety of shifts across 7 days a week and there will be hours to suit all and our expectation is that you pick up a minimum of two shifts per month. We offer hourly pay enhancements for shifts covered at night and over the weekends.

About us

Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management (NHFM) covers a large geographical area, providing safe and high-quality care in both hospital and community settings. As such we need to be able to respond quickly to meet demands caused by an increase in patient activity, staff holidays or illness. This is where our staff bank plays a vital role, providing service support 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

There are many reasons why people join the staff bank, some to supplement earnings, or to work around commitments such as childcare or studying, while others may wish to develop their skills and work experience. So, if having the flexibility to pick and choose your hours is important, then this may be your opportunity, Bank workers are expected to work a minimum of 2 shifts per month but if you want to work more you can. To find out more about the benefits of working on the bank visit our website www.yournorthumbriacareer.co.uk/staff-bank

Please note that it is a requirement of NHFM that all successful applicants pay for their own DBS certificate if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay.

Job responsibilities

Responsible for the preparation of foodstuffs, general cleaning of equipment and areas within the Catering Department and preparation and service of food to patients on the ward or to patients, visitors and staff in the dining room. The post holder will be required to operate in the central dish wash area

The receipt, checking for quality, temperature, correct quantity as per order to suppliers and the storage of such goods in the appropriate area within the time limits set out in the department policy on HACCP.

To be able to demonstrate the ability to serve food to staff and to be able to check temperature levels and be aware of the Food Temperature Regulations.

Operating the central dish wash machine, cleaning, drying and checking of the staff/ward crockery and cutlery.

Preparation of vegetables, fruits and salads.

Preparation and dispatch of meals.

Service of food in ward areas

Service of food in the Dining Room and associated areas and preparation of sandwiches, hot snacks and beverages where applicable.

The cleaning and re-stacking of vending machines.

Operation of the Staff Dining Room cash register.

Awareness of appropriate image/appearance to suit service needs.

To be self reliant.

To be flexible in their working arrangements to cover for holidays and sickness and work all areas of the Catering Department when required.

Cleaning of premises and equipment to the required standard.

Ensures compliance with the Food Hygiene Policy and the Codes of Practice. Work in such a manner that does not contravene the Health and Safety procedures of the Hospital and the Hotel Services Department.

Participate in training programmes relevant to efficiency, hygiene, fire drills, the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other such courses as deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the department.

This job description is not exhaustive but gives a broad indication of the main duties. It may be revised in the light of experience and changing circumstances in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Basic Food Hygiene and/or Level 1 Food Safety Certificate or must be achieved within 6 months of start date
• Basic Numerate & Literate Skills
• NVQ Level 1 or 2
• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust