Catering assistant

North Bristol NHS Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in England is seeking a Catering Assistant to support meal preparation and service. The ideal candidate will have recent catering experience and strong communication skills. Responsibilities include serving meals, maintaining hygiene standards, and assisting in kitchen tasks. This role promises a rewarding experience assisting healthcare teams in delivering quality service to patients.

Qualifications

• Ability to follow instructions and work processes.
• Flexibility in managing multiple tasks.
• Recent relevant catering experience within the last 3 years.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals and service stations before food service.
• Serve meals to patients and staff, addressing dietary requests.
• Ensure hygiene standards in food preparation and service.

Skills

Communication with catering staff

Literacy and numeracy

Task flexibility

Written communication skills

Basic teaching skills

Organizational skills

Instruction reading

Initiative

Knowledge of dietary requirements

Meal presentation

Customer complaint handling

Education

Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene/Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

Job description

Responsibilities

• Preparing salads, sandwiches, some cold sweets, cheese and biscuits etc prior to food service, plate and garnish.
• Preparing work stations for the service of meals.
• Preparing patient meal trays prior to food service.
• Serving/dispatching meals for patients and dealing with any issues that arise, e.g., menu mix‑ups, last‑minute dietary requests.
• Serving meals to other staff members and special function guests, interacting and communicating as appropriate at all times.
• Receiving food, recording temperatures and regenerating food.
• Assisting chefs as and when required with food preparation in readiness for cooking.
• Cleaning premises, including floors, walls, sinks, wash hand basins, work surfaces, cupboards, etc.
• Cleaning large equipment such as regen ovens, microwaves, etc.
• Washing crockery, cutlery and other utensils and small equipment items.
• Cleaning food trolleys and general‑purpose trolleys.
• Replenishing vending machines and completing necessary paperwork.
• Maintaining agreed standards of food hygiene at all times.
• Taking items to and collecting items from wards and other departments as required.
• When required, making custard and gravy in the regen kitchen.
• Collecting patient menus from wards.
• Loading, unloading and moving meal service trolleys and insulated food boxes.
• Operating equipment such as floor scrubbing machines, dishwashers, etc.
• Carrying out duties related to special functions, including waiting on food service.
• Correctly using knives and other cutting equipment, following in‑house training.
• Completing work records, e.g., temperature recording, cleaning checklists, etc.
• Carrying out cash handling duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, following approved training.
• Reporting defects to buildings or equipment to a senior member of staff and immediately reporting any pest incidents.
• Interacting with ward and other hospital staff via telephone and face to face.
• Attending meetings with departmental supervisors and managers to discuss and evaluate the future direction of the catering service, ensuring discussions are reported back to colleagues.
• Completing one’s own daily timesheet.
• Following departmental policy and food safety guidelines at all times.
• Promoting a professional attitude in all aspects of communication with customers (patients, visitors, etc.).
• Undertaking any training necessary to help promote the professional image of the Catering Department.
• Understanding of and compliance with the Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Point system in operation.
• Ensuring high standards of personal hygiene in accordance with NBT policy of food safety and pest control.
• Adhering to and following all national/trust policies in relation to health & safety, written system of work, COHS to manual handling, fire, food hygiene and other legislation as appropriate.
• Displaying a professional attitude at all times, including wearing correct uniform, footwear and minimal jewellery in line with departmental policies and requirements. Acting courteously towards all patients, staff, visitors and colleagues.
• Adhering to and following legislation regarding food temperature regulations.
• Adhering to and following national and local policies and procedures, relating to staff terms of employment and employment practice.

Qualifications & Skills

• Ability to communicate with other catering staff regarding work issues and instructions.
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills.
• Flexibility – able to handle several tasks at once, e.g., reading patient menus while plating food, interacting with staff while serving.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic teaching skills to assist and demonstrate duties to new staff.
• Ability to organise day‑to‑day work tasks.
• Ability to read instructions relating to work processes.
• Ability to use initiative and take prompt follow‑up action as required, e.g., replacing a patient’s meal.
• Knowledge of the food menu and special diets, dietary requirements and allergens.
• Ability to present and garnish meals to high standards.
• Ability to deal with customer complaints.

Training Requirements

To be able to undertake a structured training programme through taught courses and on‑the‑job training lasting approximately 3 months, to include a Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene/Level 2 Food Safety Certificate, and equipment training (slicing, boilers, cooling kettles, etc.). You will be signed off as competent with a 3‑4 month period.

Experience

Recent relevant catering experience is essential (within the last 3 years). Currently works in the catering industry. Up‑to‑date awareness of catering procedures and food safety.

Working for Our Organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award‑winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is to enable our teams to be the best they can be, so we can provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered. North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals, is anti‑discriminatory and committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We welcome applicants from all under‑represented groups.

Equal Opportunities Statement

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups at Band 8a and above. Members will routinely undergo rigorous pre‑employment checks. The position offers progression through the scale by annual increments. The successful applicant will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band.

Administrative Information

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful. Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance. If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two‑Ticks scheme and require further support or advice, please contact us at tel [phone].