Food Service Assistant

NHS Shetland; Lerwick; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

NHS Shetland in Lerwick is seeking a part-time Food Services Assistant to join our catering team. The role involves front-line food service on Fridays and weekend production support, helping provide good meals for patients, staff and visitors.

The position is Band 2, 26,696–28,988 GBP per year (pro rata) with an additional Distant Islands Allowance; full training is provided, no prior NHS catering experience required, and PVG scheme checks may apply.

Qualifications

• Food hygiene and safe food handling
• No previous NHS or catering experience required
• Full training and support provided

Responsibilities

• Fridays Servery: Customer-facing work including food service, basic cooking, food handling, stock control, cleaning and providing a warm, friendly service.
• Saturdays & Sundays Main Production Kitchen: Supporting the preparation of patient meals, food trolleys, and keeping everything clean, safe, and running smoothly.

Skills

Food hygiene

Basic cooking

Customer service

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Job description

Food Services Assistant (Ref: 258594)

Substantive.

Part Time 20 hours per week

Friday 11:00am 15:00pm Saturday & Sunday 08:30am 17:30pm

Band 2 - Salary Range £26,696 - £28,988 per annum (pro rata)

Plus Distant Islands Allowance of £2,578 per annum (pro rata)

Like working with food? Enjoy being part of a team? Come and work with us.

We're looking for a Food Services Assistant to join our friendly Catering Team at NHS Shetland. This is a hands-on role where your work really matters supporting patient care and providing good food for staff and visitors.

What makes this role different?

You'll work across two catering settings, so the job is varied and interesting:

Fridays Servery: Customer-facing work including food service, basic cooking, food handling, stock control, cleaning and providing a warm, friendly service.

Saturdays & Sundays Main Production Kitchen: Supporting the preparation of patient meals, food trolleys, and keeping everything clean, safe, and running smoothly.

What You’ll Gain

• Food hygiene and safe food handling
• Basic cooking and kitchen skills
• Customer service and communication
• Teamworking in a busy environment
• Experience working to NHS standards
• No previous NHS or catering experience is needed full training and support is provided.

We’re Looking For Someone Who

• Reliable and keen to learn
• Enjoys practical, hands-on work
• Can work well as part of a team
• Takes pride in doing a job well

In return, you'll get a supportive team, proper training, and the satisfaction of knowing your work makes a difference every day.

You will be expected to comply with the Induction Standards and Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers within 3 months of commencing your role details can be viewed on

Closing date: 13th September 2026

Interviews: TBA

• Please note this is a local advertisement and no relocation or interview expenses are applicable.

Preferred candidates will be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update prior to a formal offer of employment being made.

In promoting equal opportunities, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.