Catering Assistant / Ward Operative / Cafe staff

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking Catering Assistants and Ward Operatives to join their team at the new Bristol Surgical Centre. This role involves serving meals, maintaining hygiene standards, and assisting in food preparation. Full training will be provided, and applicants must have recent catering experience and knowledge of food safety procedures.

Qualifications

• Recent relevant catering experience within the last 3 years.
• Current employment in the catering industry.
• Ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Serving food and cleaning premises.
• Preparing meals and managing dietary requests.
• Communicating effectively with staff and patients.

Skills

Catering procedures

Food safety knowledge

Communication

Education

Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene

Job description

Catering Assistant / Ward Operative / Cafe Staff

We have several new catering roles to increase our staff who work in the central Production Kitchen, Restaurant, Cafes, and related areas. This is due to the opening of the new Bristol Surgical Centre building on the Southmead Hospital site.

You may have various duties including serving food, cleaning premises and equipment, pre-preparing food items, and regenerating cooked meals for patients at lunch and dinner in the ward. The role may also involve handling cash, primarily via cash tills, as well as pot washing and working in the catering stores area. Full training will be provided before undertaking these duties.

Please apply to express your interest. An assessment day is planned at the Greenway Centre in Southmead on Thursday, 5th June. If you cannot attend that day, alternative dates can be arranged; just let us know in your application.

Main duties of the job

• Communicating effectively with other catering staff regarding work issues and instructions.
• Undertaking a structured training program through taught courses and on-the-job training lasting approximately 3 months, including obtaining a foundation certificate in food hygiene/level 2 food safety certificate, and training in equipment use (slicing, boilers, cooling kettles, etc.).
• Gaining competence and being signed off within 3-4 months.

Experience and skills required

• Recent relevant catering experience (within the last 3 years).
• Current employment in the catering industry.
• Up-to-date knowledge of catering procedures and food safety.

About us

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre and an internationally recognized center of excellence. Our vision is to enable our teams to be the best they can be to deliver exceptional healthcare.

We value all individuals and are committed to being an anti-discriminatory organization. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

Job responsibilities

• Working effectively as part of a team or independently.
• Organizing daily work tasks efficiently.
• Assisting and demonstrating duties to new staff members.
• Maintaining basic literacy and numeracy skills.
• Handling multiple tasks, such as reading menus while plating food and interacting with staff.
• Communicating verbally and in writing with patients, staff, customers, and visitors.
• Reading instructions and using initiative to address situations, such as replacing a patient's meal.
• Understanding menus, dietary requirements, and allergens.
• Presenting and garnishing meals to high standards.
• Dealing with customer complaints.
• Preparing salads, sandwiches, cold sweets, and other items prior to service.
• Preparing work stations and patient meal trays.
• Serving meals and managing last-minute dietary requests or menu issues.
• Assisting chefs with food preparation as required.
• Cleaning premises including floors, walls, sinks, work surfaces, and cupboards.

Person Specification

Shortlisting criteria

• Must hold or be able to obtain a Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene within 3 months of employment.
• Current knowledge of catering procedures and food safety at a supervisory level in high-volume outlets.
• Recent catering industry experience within the last 3 years, with the most recent position within 6 months.
• Currently employed in the catering industry.
• Ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively with colleagues.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check will be required to verify any criminal convictions.