Food Service Assistant

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Chichester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Chichester seeks a Food Service Assistant to support the catering team at St Richards Hospital. The ideal candidate will possess previous experience in a hospital or care setting, showcasing excellent communication skills and a caring attitude. The role involves taking meal orders, serving patients, and maintaining cleanliness while adhering to food safety standards. This position offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for personal growth.

Benefits

Supportive work environment

Opportunities for personal development

Employee wellbeing programs

Qualifications

• Experience in a hospital or care environment is essential.
• Ability to demonstrate caring and patient attitudes.
• Must be able to evidence experience during interview.

Responsibilities

• Take meal orders and serve hot and cold meals.
• Maintain cleanliness of work environment.
• Complete HACCP documentation accurately.

Skills

Experience working with elderly people

Excellent communication skills

Understanding of food safety

Tools

HACCP documentation

iPads

Regen hot meal trolleys

Beverage carts

Job description

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Food Service Assistant

The closing date is 11 November 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the catering Team at St Richards hospital.

We are looking for a self motivated individual to join our team as a Food service assistant on our busy wards at St Richards Hospital working on a specialist unit.

We have 2 positions available, for 33 hours a week posts, Monday to Saturday.

- PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY -

(Additional bank position/hours may be available on an ad hoc basis when available if desired)

Should you require Additional Support with completing your Application, Please contact the Facilities and Estates Recruitment Team via email below:

[e-mail]

Main duties of the job

Applicants should have experience working with elderly people and have both knowledge and understanding to enable them to support their catering requirements, therefore it is essential that applicants have previous work experience in a hospital or care environment and are able to evidence their experience at the time of the interview, able to demonstrate a good understanding of this customer group and their needs, demonstrate and evidence a caring, patient attitude in line with our Trust values.

The role involves interacting directly with patients to take meal orders, serving hot and cold meals and serve beverages therefore excellent communication skills are essential.

Food service assistants are responsible for keeping their environment clean to a high standard, completing HACCP documentation and a basic understanding of COSHH and food safety is essential.

Food service assistants are required to use a range of equipment such as iPads, Regen hot meal trolleys and beverage carts and whilst full training will be given to operate safely, applicants should be aware that the duration of their shift will be on their feet, pushing, pulling, bending and lifting while sometimes working in warm environments.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Job responsibilities

Maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangements with ward staff, own team and other hospital departments. Communicate effectively with patients and their relatives to ensure their food and beverage requirements are met. To communicate in a courteous, co-operative and sympathetic manner with due regard for privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times. To read and understand written and verbal instructions, and complete HACCP records accurately. Take instruction and direction from catering team leaders and senior staff on the ward. Ensure daily orders are communicated in a timely manner, to enable the Catering Department to prepare and deliver food items on time.

Please see JD and PS for full details

Person Specification

• Previous experience in a care environment (Hospital or care home)

Experience

• Previous Catering Experience

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)