Catering Assistant- RBTH

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Catering Assistant to support patient meal service and run the catering area in the hospital. This part-time role involves evening shifts, dishwashing, food prep, and stock control, with responsibilities across multiple service areas.

The post requires training, teamwork, and adherence to hygiene standards, with opportunities for development through Foundation Food Hygiene and NVQ Level 2 qualifications. Flexibility and reliability are essential.

Qualifications

• Must be prepared to undertake any training as appropriate.
• Ability to use own initiative and work without close supervision and also to work as part of a team.
• 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.
• Previous experience of working in a hospital or hospitality environment.
• Experience of using industrial catering equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with Patient meal service in the evening service between 16:15–19:45 daily.
• Cleaning of premises and equipment to standard schedules and hygiene policies.
• Operating and cleaning automatic industrial dishwashers.
• Preparation and cooking of simple food items: salads, sandwiches, breakfasts, buffets for functions.
• Issuing food items to wards with correct storage and stock rotation.
• Fill, clean and maintain ward beverage trolleys and vending machines.
• Handle cash and secure takings.
• Complete documentation as directed.
• Safer handling of heavy equipment and food items as needed.
• Prepare cutlery and other items for patient meal service.

Skills

Initiative

Teamwork

Food hygiene

Confidentiality

Education

Foundation Food Hygiene qualification or equivalent

NVQ Level 2 Hospitality/Customer Care or equivalent

Tools

Industrial catering equipment

Job description

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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.

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 17.5 part time hours a week, working on a rota, to include weekends (All weekends and Bank Holidays receive enhanced payments)

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.

Main duties of the job

MAIN DUTIES

Assisting with Patient meal service in the evening service between 16:15 & 19:45 daily, requirements of the role to rotate in service areas to complete all workplace requirements surrounding patient feeding.

The cleaning of premises and equipment to correct standards of cleanliness and frequencies laid down in the cleaning schedules and departmental hygiene policies

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 standardized recipes.

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.

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• 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

Qualifications/experience

• Must be prepared to undertake any training as appropriate including computer training
• Ability to use own initiative and work without close supervision and also to work as part of a team
• 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.
• Previous experience of working in a hospital or hospitality environment.
• Experience of using industrial catering equipment.

Other skills

• Ability to keep information confidential.

• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.

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 possible. By telephone [phone] or email [e-mail] write to Employment Services, Parkview Offices, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH

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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