Catering Assistant

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; Bognor Regis; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a friendly Catering Assistant to work in the Main Kitchen at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital. You will support meal preparation and service for inpatients and staff, with training provided.

Core hours are 07:30–18:30 seven days a week, with early or late shifts on rota; flexibility to cover additional shifts and to assist in the coffee shop is expected. Full training will be given and no prior NHS experience is required.

Qualifications

• Good numeracy and literacy on entry to the post.
• NVQ Level 2 in Catering (or equivalent).
• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate or above.
• Health & Safety qualification.

Responsibilities

• Regenerating prepared meals.
• Cold food preparation.
• Cleaning and washing up.
• Receiving and storing deliveries.
• Assist with HACCPs, food safety policies and current legislation.

Skills

Customer-focused

Teamwork

Flexibility

Attention to detail

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Catering

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

We are looking for a Catering Assistant to work in the Main Kitchen as part of the friendly Facilities team at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital.

The team provide the meals for the inpatients, as well as sandwiches and snacks for the restaurant for staff and members of the public. The core operational hours for the kitchen are 07.30 - 18.30, 7 days a week. Please note this will either be an early or late shift depending on the rota.

Early Shift - 07.30 - 15.00Late Shift - 11.00 - 18.30

There will also be a requirement for them to cover the coffee shop and full training for this will be given.

Ideally they will have Catering experience but full training will be given. We are looking for someone enthusiastic and friendly, who is willing to learn and flexible to help cover additional shifts when necessary.

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UK

Health and Care Worker visa: If you'll need to meet different salary requirements - GOV.UK

Main duties of the job

Duties include:

• Regenerating prepared meals
• Cold food preparation
• Cleaning and washing up
• Receiving and storing deliveries
• Assisting with the compliance of all Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCPs), food safety policies, procedures, Allergens and current legislation

Previous experience would be an advantage, but not essential as training will be provided. Please note that Food Hygiene Training is compulsory for these roles, and will be provided.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeingo
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief network
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values--Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence--guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job responsibilities

Previous experience would be an advantage, but not essential as training will be provided. Please note that Food Hygiene Training is compulsory for these roles, and will be provided.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good numeracy and literacy skills on entry to the post
• NVQ Level 2 in Catering (or equivalent)
• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate or above
• Health & Safety qualification

Experience

• Experience of working in a customer focused environment
• Previous experience in Housekeeping/Cleaning/Catering services
• Experience of working in a healthcare environment
• Knowledge of cash handling systems

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to receive and issue appropriate instructions
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise work load
• Ability to record information accurately
• Flexibility

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.