Bank Catering Assistant (WCH)

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust; Whitehaven; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in North Cumbria is seeking a Bank Catering Assistant to support patient care and well-being by preparing and serving meals. The ideal candidate will hold a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and have experience in a customer-focused environment. This role offers flexible working hours across seven days and involves ensuring compliance with hygiene standards while working within a dynamic catering team. Training provided for all new employees ensures readiness to support high-quality care standards.

Benefits

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years

NHS discounts

Salary sacrifice schemes

Free confidential counselling service

Qualifications

• Experience in a caring environment, preferably in catering roles.
• Ability to maintain high standards of hygiene and safety.
• Familiarity with hospital catering practices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals for patients and staff.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene policies.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely.

Skills

Customer service experience

Food preparation

Communication skills

Teamwork

Food Hygiene Knowledge

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate or equivalent

Job description

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Bank Catering Assistant (WCH)

The closing date is 02 January 2026

Staff Banks play a vital role in supporting the Trust to maintain high standards of safety and care during periods of increased demand due to sickness and staff shortages. Our Catering Department plays a vital role in patient care and staff wellbeing. We provide meals for our 260‑bed hospital, fresh food for the staff and visitor restaurant, and serve at our Costa café outlet.

This role is not suitable for those seeking sponsorship.

The catering department operates seven days a week between 07:00‑19:00, offering flexible opportunities for those looking to work around other commitments or gain experience in a supportive environment.

Training is provided to all new staff, including Food Safety Level 2 and allergen training.

Career progression: Opportunities to grow into supervisory or specialist roles.

Main duties of the job

• 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.
• Prepare and deliver hospitality in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Serve meals from the ward kitchens, restaurant, and coffee shop as required, portioning food correctly according to portion controls for patients and the retail service.
• Prepare restaurant counters and refrigerated commodities, ensuring that the restaurant and coffee shop areas are ready to carry out an efficient service.
• Distribute provisions, meals and equipment within the department and the hospital as required.
• Operate equipment e.g. dishwashers, cash register in a safe and responsible manner.
• Ensure compliance with the Food Hygiene Policy and the Codes of Practice.
• Carry out food preparation, packing, labelling of other food products according to set procedures.
• Complete all relevant control documents accurately, ensuring comprehensive records for the Food Safety Act 2006.
• Ensure accurate data input into computerized systems.
• Ensure deliveries of stores are accepted and correctly stored, as required.
• Report faults and breakdowns to team leaders.

Full duties details within the attached Job Description.

About us

At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and offers a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our five key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':

• Being a clinically led organisation
• Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
• A positive patient experience every time
• A great place to work
• Managing our money well

We are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are committed to being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Please note that, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship if the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for prior to completing an application. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.

Disclosure and Barring Service

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) will be required to check for any previous convictions. The cost of the DBS must be met by the candidate through salary deduction. Charges are as follows, if applicable:

• Standard Check: £21.50 + £5.90 administration = £27.40 (deducted over 4 months or a one‑off payment).
• Enhanced Check: £49.50 + £5.90 administration = £55.40 (deducted over 4 months or a one‑off payment).

Benefits

• 27‑day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
• NHS discounts*
• Salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
• Vivup, a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work‑related problems

*Subject to eligibility.

Person Specification

Other Requirements

• Alignment to Trust Values and Core Behaviours
• Willing to undertake training as required
• Support equality and value diversity
• Act in ways that support equality and value diversity

Qualifications

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

• Work in a customer‑focused/caring environment
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Ability to maintain and improve knowledge, skills and competence to ensure high standards
• Experience in a catering role
• Experience working in a hospital environment
• Food preparation and catering practices
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work alone and in a team environment
• Able to use initiative
• Ability to follow health, safety and hygiene procedures

Personal Circumstances

• Ability to communicate with members of the public and healthcare providers in shift patterns
• Presents self as courteous, respectful and helpful and understands the importance of a professional image
• Ability to work effectively under direct supervision as part of the multidisciplinary team
• Understands the need for flexibility
• Reliable, adaptable and dependable

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Same as the earlier Disclosure and Barring Service section.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust