Catering Assistant

NHS; Yeovil; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Catering Assistant to join their dynamic catering department. The successful candidate will play a vital role in delivering food services to patients and maintaining cleanliness in catering areas. Full training will be provided, and the role offers opportunities for career development within the NHS.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Blue Light Card for discounts

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent required.
• Previous experience in NHS catering or similar environment preferred.
• Good understanding of English language, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Deliver food to wards and maintain cleanliness in catering areas.
• Unload stock and prepare meals in a timely manner.
• Assist with customer orders and general inquiries.

Skills

Customer Service

Teamwork

Attention to Detail

Education

GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent

Job description

The catering department is a fast paced and energetic department. Responding to patient, relative and customer needs is crucial and should be done so efficiently and effectively. Full training will be given to the successful candidate

Main duties of the job

Each Catering Assistant plays a vital role in our catering services team. From delivering food to wards for patients, working in our retail outlets, making sandwiches, to helping us clean our catering spaces, it is all key work and safety is critical.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

To provide and maintain a safe, clean and tidy environment in accordance with work schedules and instructions, using the appropriate equipment provided.

Unload stock from cages/trolleys and place into relevant storage including walk-in freezers.

Pick and deliver food, beverage and other items to wards and other departments/units.

Load ward ovens with relevant food products.

Take and monitor ward orders and print ward menus for picking.

Prepare late meals and/or other items and deliver to wards in a timely manner.

Use fleet and other dishwashers to clean crockery, cutlery and catering utensils/equipment.

Hand wash crockery, cutlery and catering utensils/equipment as necessary.

Provide general cleaning services to maintain catering areas.

Make hot beverages, fulfil and serve customers orders in retail outlets.

Maintain cleanliness and order in retail outlets.

Operate tills and account for takings using daily sales record sheets.

Generally, assist customers and others with any enquiries they may have.

Make sandwiches/rolls etc. following recipe cards and following established procedures.

Assist with salad and other basic food preparation.

Answer the telephone and resolve customer enquiries or refer to a Supervisor;

Set up function trolleys and deliver to events in good time.

Participate in training and assist others with training and development needs.

Provide any other duties which are determined to be reasonable (by the post holder or line Manager), considering the training, skills and abilities of the post holder.

Comply with all SSL Policies and Procedures including (but not exclusively), Quality, Environmental Equality, Diversity, Safety, Human Resources and Financial.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent (D)

Experience

• Previous experience of working in an NHS catering or similar environment (D)
• Knowledge of retail operations (D)

Additional Criteria

• Have a good understanding of the English language, both spoken and written (E)

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.