Catering Assistant | Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust; Leigh; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in England is seeking a dynamic Catering Assistant to join the team at Leigh Infirmary. The ideal candidate will be responsible for preparing and serving meals while adhering to food safety standards. This full-time position involves working Monday to Friday, with various shift patterns. The role offers a supportive environment within the NHS, providing an excellent opportunity to contribute to patient care and services.

Benefits

Excellent pension package

Generous annual leave

Health and wellbeing support

Career progression opportunities

NHS discount schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in a catering or food service environment.
• Ability to follow strict food safety standards.
• Excellent teamwork and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals to patients and staff.
• Maintain hygiene and safety in the kitchen.
• Assist in food preparation and meal delivery.
• Complete required food safety audits.

Skills

Food preparation

Cash handling

Customer service

Hygiene standards

Communication

Job description

Overview

We are excited to announce that we are looking for a dynamic Catering Assistant to join our passionate team at Leigh Infirmary.

Vacancy Details – 1 x 30 hour position, working Monday - Friday. Working Monday to Friday, 6 hours per day on a 6 week rolling rota. Shift patterns: 7am - 1pm , 8am - 2pm, 9am - 3pm and 1:30pm - 7:30pm.

The rota pattern will be further explained during the interview.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the NHS and help to provide an excellent meal service to the patients, staff and visitors of Leigh Infirmary.

Please note that this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received. We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of a busy team working to tight timescales.
• Undertake a wide range of duties including food preparation, cleaning, cash handling, use of tills, and meal service duties within kitchens, retail outlets, and wards.
• Complete audit forms associated with food safety and financial policy & procedures.
• Plan and organise duties in accordance with standard operational procedures.
• Prepare food, including high‑risk chilled areas, to specified recipes.
• Ensure correct labelling of products (product name, dates).
• Assist in the production of cooked foods (soups, gravy) after training.
• Perform duties in accordance with approved methods, frequencies and standards, adhering to strict food safety standards.
• Meet deadlines for meal production as part of a team.
• Take patient menu choices at ward level and offer alternatives where required.
• Serve meals at ward level to patients or in retail outlets to staff & visitors, and deliver buffets & functions outside the Department.
• Use equipment, machinery and cleaning materials once trained, spot defects with fabric or machinery and report to Supervisor.
• Handle cash using retail tills or emptying vending machines.
• Maintain stock control and follow departmental procedures for cash handling, managing balances, receipts, discount buttons and meal deals.
• Record temperatures and other key audit requirements onto appropriate monitoring forms; report to Supervisors where required.
• Follow the Departmental uniform code of practice and uphold high personal hygiene standards.
• Communicate with colleagues to ensure meal service proceeds efficiently.
• Answer telephone and take messages from wards on additional meals required, pass these on timely to Supervisors.
• Answer questions during food safety audits from external auditors (e.g. Environmental Health Officer).
• Undertake patient satisfaction surveys at ward level.
• Demonstrate duties to new starters and attend mandatory training courses.
• Comply with Trust and local procedures, including Health & Safety, Data Protection and Safeguarding.
• Adhere to all relevant NHS/Trust policies and procedures.
• Perform significant manual handling required (e.g. moving meal trolleys, waste bins, cleaning equipment).

Working Conditions

• Possible requirement to work unsocial hours.
• Required to work in noisy, hot, humid or chilled environments (cold rooms/freezers).
• Could be required to work flexible hours or at another site.
• Contact with ill patients on ward duties; may be asked to drive if qualified.

Benefits

• Excellent pension & life assurance package (over 20% employer contribution).
• Excellent annual leave entitlements (27 to 33 days per annum depending on service).
• Birthday leave.
• Paid occupational maternity, paternity, and adoption leave (depending on service).
• Training opportunities and eLearning resources.
• Health and wellbeing support.
• Career progression opportunities within Estates & Facilities and the NHS.
• Access to salary sacrifice schemes for items such as lease vehicles and buy‑a‑bike schemes.
• NHS discount schemes (high street stores, restaurants, family holidays, etc).
• Long service awards.

Compliance & Policies

The applicant must be mindful of and comply with a range of Trust policies, including:

• Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Employment legislation (Immigration Act 2016, Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulations 2016).
• Trust Infection Prevention & Control, Medical and Legal Safeguarding procedures.
• Standing Financial Instructions.
• General Data Protection and Information Governance principles.
• Code of Conduct and Trust policies.
• Any additional relevant policies (e.g., safeguarding, training, and financial policies).

Commitment

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust values staff, recognising that ‘happy staff make for happy patients’ and is committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do.

Application

Applicants should ensure they meet the responsibilities and provide valid evidence of their ability to comply with the listed duties and policies. Early application is encouraged as the advert closes on Wednesday 3 Dec 2025.