Food Service Assistant | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

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

Job summary

A large healthcare organization in Manchester is seeking a dedicated team member for patient meal services. The role involves providing excellent meal service, maintaining hygiene, and assisting in cleaning duties. Ideal candidates will have experience in customer service and food preparation, and the position requires strong communication and teamwork skills. This role will contribute to delivering high-quality care to patients.

Qualifications

• Experience in patient meal service and customer service.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Knowledge of food hygiene practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality meal service to patients.
• Prepare and serve food while ensuring hygiene standards.
• Communicate positively with colleagues and patients.

Job description

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

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

About MFT

MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of over £3bn and is creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year. Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you’ll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.

We’ve created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022. We’re proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, and we’re excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.

At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.

Candidate information

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading. Read the ‘Candidate Essentials Guide’ that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification for details about the Trust, our benefits and how we care for you as you care for others. The guide also contains critical information you’ll need before you submit an application form.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce. 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. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team [e-mail].

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

This advert closes on Monday 15 Sep 2025