Catering Assistant

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare is seeking a full-time Catering Assistant to support the catering team at St Ann's Hospital. This role includes food preparation, serving meals, and maintaining hygienic kitchen standards. A supportive workplace with good benefits is offered in an outstanding healthcare environment.

Benefits

27 days of annual leave

Sick pay

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• Knowledge of food hygiene and infection prevention control.
• Experience in a kitchen or catering environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Washing up, cleaning, and food preparation.
• Serving food in the hospital restaurant and ensuring cleanliness.
• Managing kitchen waste and refilling vending machines.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Flexibility

Initiative

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking Catering Assistant to join our friendly, dedicated catering team at St Anns Hospital. You may be required to work at other local sites on occasion.

Catering Assistants within the hospital play a key role in maintaining a high standard of meal provision to patients and contribute to the wider care team supporting patients during their hospital stay. The ideal candidate should have good organisational and communication skills, be flexible, and demonstrate the ability to work using their own initiative and as part of a team.

The successful applicant will be knowledgeable about hospital cleaning processes and have an understanding of Infection Prevention Control, Food Hygiene, and COSHH regulations.

This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, from 6.30 am to 2.30 pm, with a 30-minute break. Some weekend and bank holiday work may be required. The role may also include driving the work van to transport food to other units.

We offer a supportive working environment with good benefits, including 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays and sick pay.

Employment in this role requires a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service can present a valid DBS certificate instead of a new check.

Responsibilities include washing up, cleaning, food preparation, working in the hospital restaurant serving food, and refilling vending machines both on and off-site. The role involves assisting the chef in keeping the kitchen clean and tidy, covering staff dining when needed, refilling vending machines, preparing sandwiches, ensuring cleanliness standards, washing up cooking pots and trays, managing kitchen waste, and serving in the hospital restaurant as required.

Applications from candidates requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are unfortunately ineligible.

At Dorset HealthCare, we aim to empower people through outstanding healthcare services. We are a dynamic Trust with 12 community hospitals and a wide range of services for nearly 800,000 people. We are rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC and pride ourselves on our inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone is encouraged to be their best.

Join us to be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and help us improve every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise.

For further details or informal visits, contact:

• Name: Paul Harvey
• Job Title: Facilities Manager
• Email: [e-mail]
• Telephone: [phone]