Catering Assistant - Patient Services | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Preston; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is recruiting a Catering Assistant to join the Patient Services team. The 37.5‑hour role runs 11:30 am–8:00 pm, five days out of seven with a one‑hour break, supporting food service across wards, dining rooms and satellite venues with a patient‑focused, friendly approach.

Previous catering experience is desirable and Level 2 Food Hygiene is preferred; training will be provided. You will join a supportive team that values hygiene, efficiency and patient care.

Qualifications

• Catering experience desirable; full training provided.
• Level 2 Certificate in food safety desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist with all duties connected with the Retail Outlet that serves staff and Visitors.
• Serve food and drinks in patient / staff dining outlets and at hospitality events.
• Adhere to departmental standards and food hygiene regulations.
• Act in a manner that upholds the Trust’s values and delivers excellent customer care.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure accurate exchange of information about catering tasks and service needs.

Skills

Catering experience

Customer service

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene

Job description

Catering Assistant - Patient Services | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

37.5 hours Patient Services working 11.30 am till 8 pm 5 days over 7 with 1 hour break in afternoon

Our team is just that – a team – all supporting each other and working together to achieve the best outcomes, and we are really proud of this. We cannot wait to welcome you to the team when you start and will have experienced Catering Staff to help you along the way.

Our service is one where your passion, drive and motivation will genuinely make a real difference. Don’t just take our word for it, have a chat with Kevin Herbert our Retail Catering Manager (contact details below).

Catering experience is desirable along with a Level 2 Certificate in food safety though this is not essential, as full training will be given.

To find out more, watch a quick video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N87udsSzNqU

You will deal with food service in areas including wards, dining rooms and satellite venues. It goes without saying that you will be required to adhere to departmental standards and food hygiene regulations. You will also act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trust’s values, working as part of a team to ensure efficiency and excellent customer care.

This is a challenging but rewarding job role and there’s no doubt that will need motivated, enthusiastic team players, who are willing to work hard within a strong team, to provide a KEY service within the hospital for both staff and patients.

Come and join us here at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals a place where we are proud to work

You’ll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you’d never have done.

You’ll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care and enhancing their experience which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.

We have 10000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.

Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.

You’ll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you’d never have done. You’ll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.

You’ll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.

Duties to include, but not be limited to:

• To assist with all associated duties connected with the Retail Outlet that serves staff and Visitors.
• Barista Training would be an advantage in this role alongside Customer Services experience, but not essential as full training would be given.
• The post-holder will be required to adhere to departmental standards and food hygiene regulations.
• To act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trust’s values, working as part of a team to ensure efficiency and excellent customer care.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure an accurate exchange of information about catering tasks and service needs
• Communicate with a range of customers in person and over the telephone to understand individual needs and provide information relating to the catering service
• Undertake all duties relating to food service, including: - preparing food service areas and equipment
• serving food and drinks in patient / staff dining outlets and on the patient meal assembly belt
• serving food and drinks at hospitality events held on Trust premises and occasionally in other locations
• delivering and collecting meal trolleys to/from wards and departments
• clearing and tidying up after any catering operation
• Undertake cleaning either manually or using mechanical equipment provided e.g. cleaning of areas, washing of crockery, cutlery and utensils
• Operate cash registers in retail areas, demonstrating diligence at all times

This advert closes on Thursday 29 Oct 2026

Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£25,272 per annum, pro rata for part time workers

Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust