Catering Assistant

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Catering Assistant to join our hospital kitchens. You will assist in plating patients' meals, cleaning equipment, and recording information as requested by management, with responsibilities across multiple sites within the Trust.

You will work without direct supervision at the designated work location and may be asked to work in any of the Trust's kitchens. Experience in food service and HACCP principles are valued.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of HACCP systems.
• Knowledge of cleaning schedules.
• Experience in the food industry.

Responsibilities

• Read and follow the job description and duties in the attached pack.
• Plating up patient meals for distribution to wards.
• Wash returning pots and trolleys; maintain hygiene.
• Operate and clean automatic dishwashers.
• Record temperatures and HACCP related data.
• Assist with stock rotation and documentation as required.

Skills

HACCP knowledge

Cleaning schedules knowledge

Food industry experience

Education

Level 2 food safety qualification

Job description

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Catering Assistant

The closing date is 04 November 2026

An opportunity has arisen for a Catering Assistant to join us to assist in the plating up of patient's meals, washing of all returning pots and trolleys general cleaning duties with the economical use of materials and equipment. You will also record all information requested by management.

You will be able to work without supervision at the stated place of work, but may be asked to work at any of the Trust's Kitchens

Main duties of the job

• The cleaning of premises and equipment to correct standards of cleanliness and frequencies laid down in the cleaning schedules and departmental hygiene policy
• Operating and cleaning an automatic dishwashers
• The Plating up of patient's meals ready for distribution to wards.
• Temperature probing of meals and the accurate recording of temperatures in accordance with the departments HACCP procedure.
• Collection of patient's daily food requirements.
• The taking of certain food items to the wards with the subsequent correct storage, rotation, and maintenance of minimum /maximum stock levels.
• It may be necessary to handle cash and to do so within the Trust's policies and procedures.
• Completion of all appropriate documentation.

About us

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and PersonSpecification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

The NCA is committed to providing inclusive, accessible care and building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, identities and beliefs.

We are proud supporters of the Armed Forces community and offer a guaranteed interview to eligible applicants who meet the essential criteria. As a Disability Confident Employer, we also guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

Vacancies may close early where high application volumes are received or an internal redeployee is identified.

For fixed-term roles, current NHS staff will be considered for secondments, while fixed-term contracts will be offered to external (non-NHS) applicants.

If you are applying for a secondment, please discuss this with your line manager before applying. Any secondment offer will be subject to management approval and service needs. Where release cannot be supported, this secondment may unfortunately be unable to proceed.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of HACCP Systems
• Knowledge of Cleaning Schedules

Experience

• Job experience within the food industry

Qualifications

• Level 2 food safety qualification

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.

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust