Catering Assistant- RBTH | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 15,000; Part time

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is hiring a part-time Catering Assistant to support patient meal service in hospital wards. You will work 20 hours per week, 4pm–8pm, five days over seven on a rotating roster, including weekends and bank holidays with enhanced payments.

The role involves serving meals, handling food items, cleaning, operating dishwashers, stocking wards, and maintaining hygiene and documentation. training will be provided.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or food service preferred.
• Ability to work in fast-paced hospital environment.
• Willingness to train in hygiene and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient meal service in wards.
• Rotate through service areas to meet workplace requirements.
• Clean premises and equipment according to hygiene schedules.
• Operate and clean automatic dishwashers.
• Stock and rotate food items with min/max controls.
• Prepare cutlery and items for patient meals.
• Complete required documentation.

Skills

Food safety

Customer service

Stock control

Job description

Catering Assistant- RBTH | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

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 20 hours per week from 4pm to 8pm daily working 5 days over 7 on a rotating roster, to include weekends (All weekends and Bank Holidays receiveenhancedpayments)

MAIN DUTIES

Assisting with Patient meal service, 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

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

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

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.

• 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

This advert closes on Thursday 22 Oct 2026