Food Service Assistant

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Manchester is seeking a Food Service Assistant to enhance patient care through quality meal and beverage service. You'll work as part of a team, ensuring adherence to food hygiene standards while maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen. Strong communication skills and the ability to adapt in a busy environment are essential. This position offers the opportunity to support patients and be part of a committed team that values diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Supportive team environment

Training and development opportunities

Diversity and inclusion commitment

Qualifications

• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Understanding of Health & Safety regulations.
• Experience of working in a Catering Department.

Responsibilities

• Provide courteous beverage and meal service to patients.
• Prepare and serve patient meals while adhering to hygiene standards.
• Maintain cleanliness in work areas and adhere to stock control.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Adaptability

Time management

Basic Food Hygiene Level 2

Job description

Food Service Assistant

The closing date is 20 January 2026

You will be required to work as a key member of the Ward Team to develop and maintain the patient environment. To provide a high quality helpful, courteous beverage and meal service, to meet the needs of patients. In addition carrying out cleaning and related duties as required in order to assist in the delivery of the hotel services.

Customer Care & Communication

To work as part of a team and communicate in a polite and positive manner with colleagues, Trust staff, patients and members of the public.

To deal initially with any customer complaints.

To demonstrate commitment to the department and the Trust.

To give guidance to new members of staff with regard to department/ward layout and daily routine

Catering

To assist in the preparation of all patient food services. To ensure that all food is prepared in a safe and hygienic manner at all times.

Main duties of the job

• Collect, wash, refill and distribute patient water jugs and glasses.
• To assist with the production of all meals necessary for the provision of patient service
• The regeneration of food in accordance with Food Hygiene Codes of Practice
• To plate and assemble patient meals accurately on tray for presentation to the patient
• Check temperature of foods and record prior to service to patients.
• Ensure that any patient requiring a special diet is catered for.
• Monitor and report wastage levels of patient meals
• The preparation and service of hot and cold beverages at designated times throughout the day.
• Prepare and serve a range of snack to patients between meals or on an ad-hoc basis as instructed by nursing staff.
• The collection of cutlery and crockery following the patient meal
• The washing up of all crockery and cutlery items and storage of such items at ward level.
• Adherence to all legislation and policies relating to patient meal service.
• Maintain ward kitchens and equipment in a clean and hygienic manner.
• Ensure that ward issues are maintained to the agreed level.
• Ensure stock control and rotation procedures are maintained.
• Conduct meal service by attractive presentation adhering to any specific request

Cleaning

To deliver a full cleaning service towards within the hospital in accordance with Work Schedules and activity within the area, using own initiative to plan workload.

About us

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester is the largest health academic campus in Europe, a great place to start or grow your career. With 10 hospitals and a wide range of community services, we care for over 1 million people every year, and our team of over 30,000 people is at the heart of everything we do. You'll be working alongside colleagues from all backgrounds, supporting people from every walk of life, and learning something new every day. We believe that everyone should feel welcome, respected, and valued at work. You can bring your whole self to MFT, knowing that your unique perspective and experiences are celebrated here. You'll find that we're committed to helping you grow - whether you want to develop new skills, progress in your career, or simply make a difference in your community. We offer equal opportunities for everyone, and we'll support you with training, development, and a caring environment where your health, wellbeing, and safety matter. Most importantly, you'll be part of a team where working together and supporting each other is everything. You'll make new friends, build strong relationships, and have a real voice in shaping the future of our Trust. At MFT we're All Here For You - every step of the way. Join us today.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youre need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to understand and carry out instructions.
• Ability to listen and have good communication skills.
• To act on own initiative & adapt quickly to change.
• To work under pressure in a busy environment.
• To maintain professionalism and demonstrate care and compassion with patients and other service users.
• Understanding of Health & Safety.
• Understanding of Customer Care.
• Understanding of Food Hygiene.
• Basic Food Hygiene Level 2
• Awareness of HACCP
• Experience of working in a Catering Department.

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

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Manchester University Fountation Trust, Oxford Road