Catering Assistant - Patient Services

The Methodist Church in Britain; Preston; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Varied development opportunities

Full training provided in-house

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Catering Assistant to support patient services and staff dining. You will serve meals, operate tills, tidy work areas and assist with diet-related needs, with in-house food safety training provided.

The role covers wards and satellite venues, with shifts from 11.30am to 8pm, five days in seven. Experience in catering or dealing with the public is preferred and a GCSE level education is expected.

Qualifications

• GCSE standard education required.
• Willingness to work towards Level 2 certificates in food safety, COSHH, food hygiene and allergen awareness (in-house training provided).
• Previous experience in the food or catering industry.
• Previous experience dealing with the public.
• Awareness of hygiene and cleanliness standards in the food industry.

Responsibilities

• Serve food and drinks in patient and staff dining outlets and on the patient meal assembly belt (including retail outlets).
• Prepare food service areas and equipment.
• Deliver and collect meal trolleys to and from wards and departments.
• Operate cash registers in retail areas.
• Clean areas, crockery, cutlery and utensils.
• Clear and tidy up after catering operations.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene regulations.

Skills

Customer service

Public dealings

Hygiene awareness

Education

GCSE standard

Level 2 certificates in food safety

Level 2 certificates in COSHH

Level 2 certificates in food hygiene

Level 2 certificates in allergen awareness

Job description

This catering assistant post sits in the Patient Services team at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. Work covers serving food and drinks on wards, in dining rooms and at satellite venues, delivering meal trolleys, operating tills and cleaning. The role runs as an 11.30am to 8pm shift over five days in seven, and includes a retail outlet serving staff and visitors. Food safety training is given in-house, though prior catering experience is still required.

What the job involves

• Serve food and drinks in patient and staff dining outlets and on the patient meal assembly belt
• Prepare food service areas and equipment
• Deliver and collect meal trolleys to and from wards and departments
• Serve food and drinks at hospitality events on Trust premises and occasionally elsewhere
• Operate cash registers in retail areas
• Clean areas, crockery, cutlery and utensils, manually or with mechanical equipment
• Clear and tidy up after catering operations
• Work to departmental standards and food hygiene regulationsCommunicate with colleagues about catering tasks and service needs
• Communicate with customers in person and by telephone about the catering service
• Uphold Trust values, working as part of a team for efficiency and customer care
• Assist with duties connected with the retail outlet that serves staff and visitors

Qualifications

• Good general education to GCSE standard
• Willingness to work towards Level 2 certificates in food safety, COSHH, food hygiene and allergen awareness (in-house training provided)

Experience

• Previous experience in the food or catering industry
• Previous experience dealing with the public

Skills & knowledge

• Awareness of hygiene and cleanliness standards in the food industry

Nice to have

• Knowledge of therapeutic diets
• Awareness of NHS confidentiality and Information Governance
• Level 2 certificate in HACCP
• COSHH qualification
• Basic health and safety
• Level 2 certificates in food hygiene, food safety and allergen awareness
• Barista training
• Customer services experience

What’s offered

• Varied development opportunities
• Full training provided in-house