Catering Assistant - Burnley General Teaching Hospital

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Burnley; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Catering Assistant at Burnley General Teaching Hospital. This part-time role offers 30 hours per week with weekend work and enhanced payments on weekends and Bank Holidays.

You will join a dedicated catering team, delivering safe, patient-focused food service across the hospital. The post requires Foundation Food Hygiene and NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent), plus prior experience in food environments or healthcare hospitality.

Qualifications

• Foundation Food Hygiene Qualification or equivalent required.
• NVQ Level 2 Hospitality/Customer Care or equivalent required.
• Experience of cleaning in a food environment or similar environment.
• GCSE English and Maths (C or 4+), or equivalent qualification.
• Previous experience in hospital or hospitality environment.
• Experience of using industrial catering equipment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene according to schedules.
• Operate and clean automatic industrial dishwashers.
• Prepare simple food items and buffets, following standardised recipes.
• Plate and serve meals to patients and staff.
• Temperature probe meals and record temperatures as required.
• Manage ward stock, rotate and store items with correct min/max levels.
• Fill and check ward beverage trolleys and vending machines.
• Handle cash, check floats and secure takings as per policy.
• Complete required documentation and reports as directed.
• Assist with patient information collection and dietary requirements.
• Work with team to ensure smooth catering service and safety.

Job description

Catering Assistant - Burnley General Teaching Hospital

NHS AfC: Band 2

Main area Catering Assistant Grade NHS AfC: Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 30 hours per week Job ref 435-1LSC-ELHT-091-26-A

Site Burnley General Teaching Hospital Town Burnley Salary £25,272 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 25/09/2026 23:59

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

One LSC is a new collaborative partnership shared service formed by the five NHS Trusts serving the Lancashire and South Cumbria population of 1.8 million people. We are a shared service run by the NHS, for the NHS and are hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust on behalf of the partner Trusts of the Lancashire and South Cumbria system.

One LSC stands for ‘One Lancashire and South Cumbria’ and reflects the Lancashire and South Cumbria System ambition to have one team serving Lancashire and South Cumbria in a joined‑up way. It is jointly run by the five Trusts as a collaborative partnership.

The Trusts that make up One LSC are:

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

One LSC brings together the Digital, Data and Technology, Estates and Facilities, Finance, People Services and Procurement and Logistics services from each of the provider Trusts to create one central community of professionals. Under one leadership team, they will provide services for and on behalf of all Trusts.

The aim is to bring services more closely together so that we can deliver the best service possible to each of our partner organisations. At the core of One LSC delivery is eliminating duplication, removing unwarranted variation, realisation of the benefits of sharing common systems and processes and ensuring we deliver value for money for our partners, our system and, ultimately, for the communities we serve.

Job overview

As a Catering Assistant with East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, you will be at the heart of our Service ensuring the provision of high‑quality catering giving you a great opportunity to really make a difference.

Hours are 37.5 hours a week working on a flexi rota, to include some weekends (All weekends and Bank Holidays receive enhanced payments). Shifts will vary and will include some 6am starts and some 8pm finishing, there will be no split shifts.

We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

Main duties of the job

MAIN DUTIES

• The cleaning of premises and equipment to correct standards of cleanliness and frequencies laid down in the cleaning schedules and departmental hygiene policiy
• Operating and cleaning automatic industrial dishwashers
• Preparation and cooking of simple food items i.e. salads, sandwiches, breakfasts, preparing buffets for functions and simple diet preparation in accordance with department standardised recipes.
• Plating and service of meals and beverages to patients and staff
• Temperature probing of meals and the recording of temperatures in accordance with department policies
• The issuing of certain food items to the wards with the subsequent correct storage, rotation and maintenance of min/max stock levels
• As directed fill, clean and look after any ward beverage trolleys. Fridges and Restaurant vending machines
• Handle cash, check floats and secure takings in accordance with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions
• Completion of any appropriate documentation as directed.
• Frequent safer handling of heavy pieces of equipment of food items within the catering department may be necessary
• Preparation of cutlery and other items in readiness for patient meal service
• Duties will include lifting, carrying, bending twisting, pushing and pulling.
• Collection of patient information, menus, dietary requirements using both paper and electronic methods
• To complete training and utilize skills in all aspects of the job role as directed

Working for our organisation

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 8,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

The Trust is committed to creating a well managed, flexible working environment that supports staff and promotes their welfare and development. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We operate Zero Tolerance to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure our recruitment and selection process is accessible to all. Flexible Working applications will be considered. The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy.

Please note, although this role is being advertised by East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, it will transfer to OneLSC a Corporate Collaboration hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals Trust on 1.11.24. There are no plans to change the location of the role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

HYGIONE

• Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene in accordance with the hygiene policy and current legislation

CLEANING

• Comply with the H.A.C.C.P (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) procedure and adapt to any new regulation
• Work in such a way that does not endanger the safety of self and colleagues, by maintaining a clean, tidy and safe work place area in accordance with the Health and Safety Work Act e
• Cleaning to standards and frequencies laid down in the cleaning schedules, to ensure correct standards of cleanliness and hygiene in accordance with the hygiene policy and current legislation

GENERAL

• Responsible for receipt, issue and storage of goods, ensuring that the delivery and storage temperatures are correct and those items are stored properl
• Report poor quality products to a senior member of sta
• To report any breakdowns of equipment and any maintenance requirements.
• Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with all hospital staff, the public and colleagues across the Trust and attend regular staff meetings as required.
• Assist patients to feel at ease in the hospital environment, assist with directional requests as needed referring any medical or other enquiries to the appropriate staff.
• Check and report out of date electrical Portable Appliance Testing dates to your supervisor for rectification.
• Report any infestation sighting to your Supervisor.
• Perform a daily check in the restaurant food display cabinets rotating stock levels according to date and maintain minimum stock levels, ensuring products are safely stored as per legislation disregarding out of date stock following policy and recording this with supervisor.
• Safely handle and record the disposal of all waste streams from the Catering department to the waste compound, observing all relevant recycling of waste policies and procedures.
• Maintain and update paper-based records and information as required, including but not limited to timesheets, food temperature, waste records etc.
• Receive and pass on relevant information to others, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Respond to initial complaints taking appropriate action as required.
• Perform assigned duties in the event of a major incident in line with Trust Policy.
• Wear the correct uniform and safety footwear in accordance to the Uniform Policy
• Adhere to all Catering and Trust wide policies and procedures.
• Keep up to date with core skills training and attend all necessary training sessions i.e. fire lectures, food safety training, health and safety training, safer handling training and safeguarding training, and all refresher training
• Support the training of new and existing staff by demonstrating the use of equipment or procedures that you have been trained in.
• Ensure awareness of when and how to report untoward incidents and how to respond appropriately with patients’ or relatives complaints.
• Work with other colleagues as a team member in order to meet the standard of service required by the Tru
• Maintain good working relations within the departmen
• Work in the department at the times specified on the rota and provide cover in the absence of colleague

Person specification

Qualifications/experience

• Possess or willing to complete Foundation Food Hygiene Qualification or equivalent qualification
• Possess or be willing to complete NVQ Level 2 Hospitality/Customer Care or equivalent qualification
• Experience of cleaning in a food environment or similar environment.
• GCSE English and Math’s, grade C or above or grade 9-4 or equivalent qualification in English and Math’s
• Previous experience of working in a hospital or hospitality environment.
• Experience of using industrial catering equipment.

Other skills

• Ability to deal with information sensitively and confidentially.
• Knowledge of Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Knowledge of the potential of cross contamination within a catering / healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of specialised diets.
• Knowledge of COSHH regulations.

Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained.

The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.

The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.

This cost is not applicable for a Volunteer post

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The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first‑class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.

We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.

We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under‑representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as you can. By telephone [phone] or email [e-mail] write to Employment Services, Parkview Offices, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH

Thanks for taking the time to view this advert; we look forward to receiving your application.

As a recruitment service, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first‑class service in recruiting people into positions of trust.

It is important to us that we employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone - irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.

We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that as an employer we are under‑representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable you to apply for this post.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.
AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and could negatively impact on your chances of success in the application process.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Supporting Information

The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person specification.
Recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, please provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real‑life situations. Share work‑related successes and challenges you have navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.
Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.

Please note: a young person must be in part‑time education or training until they’re 18. If you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one‑off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40, Standard DBS check £26.40, Enhanced DBS check £54.40 and Enhanced DBS check with Barred List(s) £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here .

In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working.

NO UNSOLICITED ADVERTISING COMPANY APPROACHES

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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