Catering Assistant - Eat Street Restaurant

Northampton General Hospital; Northampton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A large healthcare facility is seeking a Catering Assistant dedicated to providing high-quality food service to patients and staff. You will ensure hygiene standards, assist with meal preparation, and engage with visitors tactfully. No formal education required; training will be provided, along with opportunities for career development. The role offers a chance to work in a collaborative environment prioritizing inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Willingness to undertake food hygiene training.
• Experience in a food production environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve food to patients and staff.
• Maintain hygiene and safety standards.
• Communicate effectively with patients regarding food choices.
• Conduct cleaning duties and monitor waste.
• Be proactive in food preparation and ensure quality.

Skills

Communication skills

Self-motivation

Rapport building

Multi-tasking

Physical stamina

Education

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

NVQ/Apprenticeship in Catering

Job description

The work involves general catering duties including preparation of food, service of food to patients, staff and the public, use of EPOS systems and the cleaning of and use of equipment and machinery, and the operation of mechanical industrial type dishwashing machines.

5 out of 7 Days - 06:00-22:00

Main duties of the job

The provision of a high quality and professional food and beverage service to all staff, patients and visitors.

To ensure all Codes of Practice for Health, Hygiene, Safety, COSHH and HACCP are adhered too.

To communicate with Patients and visitors over their food choices and issues with the service that is being delivered in a tactful and courteous manner.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Job responsibilities

Carry out cleaning duties and maintain hygiene levels, to ensure Food Hygiene Legislation and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point procedures are conformed to and maintained.

Ensure correct storage, labelling and rotation of all chilled produce and monitoring of refrigerated and heated storage equipment

To maintain food quality and service at all times, and to action any defects immediately. Proactive preparation of meals, snacks and sandwiches as directed.

To safely use all catering related equipment and to report any maintenance defects and problems immediately to the estates department.

To monitor levels of waste and report them to the Supervisor.

Cleaning of Floors/surfaces and machinery as identified in departments cleaning schedule.

Security of all Trust property when on duty, in accordance with Departmental Policy.

To maintain a pleasant customer focus manner at all times, providing assistance with food choices taking into consideration cultural and dietary requirements.

To ensure all packaged food is provided with a date illustrating the contents and use by date.

To contribute to the development of the Catering Service by putting forward suggestions for improvements.

Any other related tasks as identified by your Line Manager.

To complete daily schedules, temperature records and timesheets as directed

Person Specification

Educations, Training and Qualifications

• No formal education is required as on the job instruction, training and theoretical knowledge is provided. Therefore the ability to retain information and learning is essential together with excellent communication skills (oral and written)
• Be willing to undertake the Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• NVQ/Apprenticeship (or equivalent) in catering / hospitality / customer service

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience of working in a food production environment
• Knowledge & Understanding of different dietary & cultural needs
• Knowledge of good health & safety practices
• Knowledge of food safety protocols
• Experience of working in a customer facing industry
• Knowledge of special dietary requirements

Skills

• Ability to develop rapport with staff, patients and visitors
• Ability to multi task effectively and move from one task to another rapidly when priorities change
• Ability to priorities & use initiative
• Self-motivated to work under minimal supervision
• Able to undertaken the frequent physical duties of the role such a moving laden meal trolleys, carrying trays of food, operation of dishwashing etc

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.