catering assistant

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Dudley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 20,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Dudley is seeking a Catering Assistant to deliver safe, high-quality meal services to patients and staff. The successful candidate will assist in meal preparation, uphold food hygiene regulations, and ensure excellent service delivery in compliance with health and safety policies. The role requires strong communication skills for effective teamwork and a commitment to improving patient experience. Join a supportive organization and contribute to quality care for the local community.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or food service environments.
• Understanding of food hygiene regulations and food safety.
• Good communication skills with the ability to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist in meal preparation and serving while ensuring quality and safety standards.
• Clean kitchen equipment and assist in food storage following safety guidelines.
• Handle cash and operate tills in compliance with financial instructions.
• Report any equipment failures and ensure health and safety policies are followed.

Job description

The Catering Assistant will report to the Facilities Supervisor - Catering on each site. The role of the Catering Assistant is to work within the Trust Facilities Management structure to ensure that the Catering service delivers a high quality and safe service to patients, visitors, and staff. Critical to the success of the role shall be the providing of a service that is safe, efficient and delivered to a high quality. Full compliance to Food Hygiene regulations and Trust Policy will mean all staff will be expected to comply with HACCP and to complete training as required. The catering assistant will enhance the patient experience by ensuring that meals are provided in accordance with patient nutritional and social needs. Good communication between the ward and kitchen is essential.

Working for our organisation

Are you passionate about delivering positive change to the people of the Black Country? Do you want to work with a talented workforce to meet new challenges and improve care for our local communities? Then our Trust is the place for you. We employ over 3,000 members of staff and, just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds. We take pride in supporting, developing and engaging with our workforce. Staff engagement, recognition and wellbeing are vital to the success of our organisation, and we strive to provide a setting in which our staff can showcase their skills, innovative solutions and dedication to healthcare.

Key responsibilities

• Work as a member of the kitchen team ensuring a high standard of service to patients, staff and visitors, with particular attention to hand hygiene, temperature control and cross‑contamination.
• Assist in the preparation and serving of meals and associated tasks, taking into consideration portion control, presentation and temperature control for patients, staff and visitors.
• Assist in the service delivery and preparation of special functions and hospitality.
• Operate tills and handle cash in accordance with recommended prices, complying with standing financial instructions and ensuring compliance with hand washing when handling cash and food.
• Operate machinery such as the dishwasher, ensuring all equipment/crockery and cutlery are cleaned at appropriate temperatures. Be aware of knife‑safety skills.
• Undertake cleaning of premises and equipment as requested throughout the department, in strict adherence to cleaning schedules and COSHH regulations.
• Assist in the receipt, rotation and storage of food and non‑food items, taking into consideration BCPFT food hygiene policy and all health and safety policies and safe methods of work.
• Immediately report any failure of equipment or failure to comply with food‑safety standards.
• Record and check temperature of fridges and freezers as directed by the Catering Team Leader.
• Clean and stock vending machines within the hospital site and report any damage or safety issues to the Catering Team Leader.
• Assist in the delivery of meals and supplies to wards.
• When serving in the café or restaurants ensure that counters are fully stocked.
• Be responsible for ensuring complaints are dealt with sensitively and in accordance with the Trust’s standards, taking corrective action where necessary and ensuring lessons learned are communicated, understood, and applied.
• Uphold all Infection Prevention and Control measures as required within the Trust.
• Ensure that all domestic consumables are always available in the kitchen in the appropriate dispenser/holder.
• Undertake ad‑hoc cleaning tasks as required by the Facilities Supervisor – Catering.
• Perform catering tasks as per the work schedule, ensuring that all Food Hygiene and Health & Safety legislation are adhered to.
• Ensure there are always sufficient ward provisions and snack boxes.
• Support requests for special requirements for patients and communicate to the Facilities Supervisor – Catering or Site Facilities Co‑ordinator.
• Ensure the collection and removal of all goods and waste from the kitchen.
• Be compassionate to patient meal requirements, showing patience and not rushing meal service delivery.

Applying and timelines

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply soon. We shortlist after the closing date and will contact shortlisted candidates usually within two weeks. If you haven’t heard by then, you haven’t been shortlisted. Please check your email for updates and contact Recruitment for feedback.

Pay and contracts

• Most NHS roles are paid under NHS Agenda for Change; with us – your starting point is set against the advertised band and your relevant NHS service, with progression through annual increments.
• Medical and Very Senior Manager roles follow separate national pay frameworks, not Agenda for Change. Details are provided in each advert and during recruitment.

Standards and checks

• Clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the Care Certificate. If you don’t have it yet, we’ll support you to complete it in post.
• Some roles require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record won’t automatically prevent employment. We consider the role and individual circumstances.
• We are an equal opportunities employer, offer flexible working, and are a smoke‑free Trust.

Inclusion, equality and adjustments

• We are an equal opportunities employer and offer flexible working.
• We are an anti‑racist, disability‑inclusive and LGBTQ+‑inclusive Trust.
• We welcome applications from under‑represented groups and people with lived experience relevant to our services, including Black and Asian colleagues, Disabled people (including non‑visible disabilities such as neurodiversity and mental health) and LGBTQ+ people.
• Disabled applicants can request consideration under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme where essential criteria are met. You can ask for reasonable adjustments at every stage of the process.

Our culture and values

Best for the Black Country is our improvement journey. We share a clear vision and values, lead with compassion and visibility, listen to every voice, keep improving what we do and take ownership for delivery. You’ll feel it in how teams support each other and in the impact your work has on local people. If you want to contribute, learn and progress, this is a great time to join us.

What we do

• Adult and older adult mental health
• Children and young people’s mental health
• Specialist learning disability services
• Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley

Why join now

• We’ve got real momentum right now. New strategy, clear priorities and our Best for the Black Country work mean things are moving in the right way, fast.
• Our values aren’t just posters. People are genuinely compassionate, take responsibility, treat you with respect and help you feel confident and empowered.
• You’ll be looked after. Flexible working, family‑friendly policies, supportive teams, proper wellbeing support and chances to learn with coaching and development.
• There’s room to grow. Loads of services to explore and real space to try ideas and be heard.
• It’s a good place to live. Friendly diverse communities, easy transport, good schools and colleges, shopping, food, lots to do, plenty of green space and a lower cost of living than many other city regions.

What it’s like to work here

You’ll join friendly, skilled teams who look out for each other. We plan together, share caseload pressures, and celebrate wins. New starters get a warm welcome and clear induction; early‑career colleagues have preceptorship and buddying; experienced staff can lead, teach and innovate. You’ll have space to do good work, speak up, and see the difference you make.

Who we are

We’re 4,000+ colleagues from many backgrounds, committed to improving health and wellbeing for our communities and for each other. If you’re excited about the role but don’t tick every box, please apply. We value potential and transferable experience.

About the Trust

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is growing and changing. We provide specialist mental health, learning disability and community services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, and we’re hiring people who want to shape what comes next. Formed on 1 April 2020 through the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, we’re now focused on the future with a new Trust Strategy and our Best for the Black Country programme.