Catering Assistant

Cheswold Park Hospital; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff uniform provided

Job summary

The post holder will join the Catering Team based in the main kitchen at Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield, with weekend and bank holiday working required. You will provide safe, nutritious meals to service users, staff and visitors, and assist with functions and events.

Working in a fast-paced NHS environment, you will follow HACCP and cleaning standards, handle food preparation, service meals, operate vending and cash handling, and maintain equipment and records.

Qualifications

• Completed or willing to undertake Level 2 Food Safety and COSHH training.
• BICSc qualification or equivalent experience.
• Desirable Level 3 Food Safety certification.
• Experience in catering and dealing with the public.

Responsibilities

• Carry out general catering duties in restaurant, hospitality, vending and patient catering.
• Prepare and deliver hospitalities and meals for staff and patients.
• Maintain HACCP records and temperature checks.
• Open/close units, accept deliveries and rotate stock.
• Ensure cleanliness, comply with food hygiene policies and wear uniform.

Skills

Customer focus

Communication

Team player

Flexibility

Education

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

COSHH Training

BICSc qualification

Level 3 Certificate in Food Safety

Tools

Cash handling

Job description

Job Summary
We are looking to recruit hardworking, enthusiastic individuals to join our Catering Team based in the main kitchen at Fieldhead Hospital. This post includes weekend and bank holiday working.

Job Summary
We are looking to recruit hardworking, enthusiastic individuals to join our Catering Team based in the main kitchen at Fieldhead Hospital. This post includes weekend and bank holiday working.
The successful post holders will be required to provide a safe, nutritious and exciting meal service to service users, staff and visitors. You will also participate in the preparation of functions and special events, no two events are the same which will provide you with a challenge and diversity in the job role.
Catering, food safety, cleanliness and hygiene in healthcare environments is paramount; therefore we are looking to appoint staff who are ambitious, motivated and take pride in the work they do. You will be responsible for cleaning duties in the kitchen this is to ensure a safe, efficient workplace and environment for all. You will adhere to the NHS cleaning standards.
Staff uniform will be provided.

Posts Available
1 x 30 hours per week.
Salary shown is full time. Salary will be pro rata.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment and you will be able to use your initiative to prioritise and organise daily duties. You will maintain a professional approach and comply with all relevant policies and procedures.
You will be part of a team that provides safe and nutritious meal service to service users.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements (salary threshold or occupational requirements) set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, unfortunately we are unable to sponsor anyone on a visa for this role at this moment in time.
We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

About Us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.
Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.
We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details
Date posted
14 September 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
£25,272 a year pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9378-QA01504A
Job locations
Catering, Fieldhead Hospital
Ouchthorpe Lane
Wakefield
WF1 3SP
United Kingdom

Job Description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will:
Carry out a wide range of general catering duties in the restaurant, hospitality, vending and patient catering in an efficient and effective manner to ensure that a high quality service is provided at all times. This post has a significant amount of personal contact with staff, patients and members of the public.
Key Result Areas:
To carry out basic food preparation, packing labelling and chilling of sandwiches and other food products, according to set recipes and procedures.
Packing and labelling of pre-prepared food commodities for patients special diets.
To carry out basic cooking duties including breakfast and back bar items.
To operate cash registers and reconciliation of monies in line with departmental policies and procedures.
To prepare and deliver hospitalities in accordance with hospitality forms.
To clean, fill and attend to vending machines on a daily basis as per agreed procedures.
To serve meals in the staff dining room and other associated areas as required and to portion food in the correct manner according to portion control.
To prepare restaurant counters, refrigerated commodities and ensure that restaurant tables have all items ready to carry out efficient service.
To distribute provisions, meals and equipment within the department and hospital site.
To clean equipment and premises in accordance with duty rotas and work schedules using the appropriate equipment and chemicals. This will include the immediate outer areas of the building.
Report any sightings of pests or damage to the fabric of the catering areas that could provide potential harbourage to pests.
To operate equipment e.g. scrubbing machine, flight dishwasher, cash register etc. in a safe and responsible manner after training and to report faulty equipment to the supervisor.
To dispose of all waste food and refuse in a hygienic manner and in accordance with the waste food policy.
To complete all relevant control documents including: daily quality report sheets, recording the temperature of food and equipment and to report any untoward issues to the supervisor.
Maintain all relevant records in compliance with the HACCP document to ensure due diligence.
Monitor and record the fridge and freezer temperatures, reporting any fall in temperature to the supervisor.
To promote a positive and professional image of the catering service in order to maximise sales.
To wear approved protective clothing provided, in accordance with the role and food hygiene policy.
To open the food stores areas as necessary at the start of the shift.
To carry out all duties, adhering to manual handling and lifting procedures / practice.
Accept incoming deliveries, ensuring that goods are accounted for on the order requisition and any adjustments are clearly marked and reported. Also the issuing of goods to various departments, ensuring that all items are correctly requisitioned and any adjustments are clearly identified on the relevant paperwork.
Receive, check and record weekly deliveries for quantity, quality and temperature where applicable.
To ensure stores are correctly rotated, used in date order and any out of date products are disposed of in the correct manner.
To be aware of patient special diets and to ensure that all special dietary needs / requests are followed.
To open and close units ensuring equipment is turned off and areas secured.
For Full Job Description, Please See Attached Supporting Documents.
For Full Job Description, Please See Attached Supporting Documents.
Person Specification
Training
Essential
Experience working within a customer focused environment.
Commitment to undertake relevant training commensurate to the job role.
Special Knowledge & Skills
Essential
Ability to communicate with other staff, Trust employees, service users who may have behavioural issues or severe communication difficulties.
Ability to accept and prioritise instructions.
Ability to work under pressure in order to meet deadlines.
Demonstrate positive and proactive approach to customer care and service improvement.
Takes personal responsibility to deliver own work to a high standard.
Takes a positive proactive approach to learning and self-development.
Qualifications
Essential
Completed or willing to undertake and achieve the level 2 Food Safety Certificate, COSHH Training and Trust mandatory training courses.
Hold BICSc qualification or willing to undertake and successfully complete within 12 months or equal experience at Level 2.
Desirable
Level 3 Certificate in Food Safety.
Experience
Essential
Previous experience in the catering industry.
Previous experience of dealing with the public.
Desirable
Knowledge of therapeutic diets.
Physical Attributes
Essential
A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).
Personal Attributes
Essential
To work on own initiative, as a lone worker or as part of a team.
Flexible approach to working hours / shift patterns.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Address
Catering, Fieldhead Hospital
Ouchthorpe Lane
Wakefield
WF1 3SP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Address
Catering, Fieldhead Hospital
Ouchthorpe Lane
Wakefield
WF1 3SP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)