Food Services Assistant

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Nottingham is seeking dedicated Food Service Assistants to provide high-quality food and beverage services to patients. You will maintain cleanliness in food preparation areas and ensure that dietary needs are met for each patient. Full training will be provided, and candidates with food service experience are preferred. This position offers opportunities to work in a supportive team environment with great benefits, including generous annual leave and a subsidised staff restaurant.

Benefits

Subsidised staff restaurant

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Staff discounts via NHS Discounts website

Qualifications

• Experience in food service is desirable but not required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff.
• Proactive attitude and the ability to work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide food and beverage service to patients at ward level.
• Daily cleaning tasks in food preparation areas.
• Replenish disposable commodities and remove waste.
• Inform patients about the food offer and assist with orders.
• Liaise with nurses to meet patients' dietary needs.

Skills

Food Service experience

Teamwork

Communication

Job description

We require proactive and hardworking staff to work as part of a team within Catering Services. The role involves being an integrated part of the ward team, providing food and beverage services to the patients and maintaining the highest standard of cleaning in food preparation areas at ward level. This ensures the highest degree of cleanliness, safety and care at all times. Food Service experience is desirable though full training will be given.

Responsibilities

• Food and beverage service to patients at ward level.
• Daily cleaning tasks – hard floors, equipment such as dishwashers, fixtures and fittings.
• Replenishment of disposable commodities (soap, gel, hand towels) and removal of waste from ward kitchens to designated collection points.
• Inform patients about the hospital's food offer and procedure for ad‑hoc requests, helping them make an informed choice.
• Order food using the hospital's electronic ordering devices.
• Liaise with nurses, caterers and dieticians to ensure patients' food, nutrition/clinical needs and preferences are identified and met.
• Identify patients not eating sufficiently and report to the Nurse in Charge.
• Provide appropriate feedback on the patient's food service experience (quality, quantity, choice).
• Communicate service hand‑over information to the next food service assistant using the guidelines provided.
• Store food in accordance with manufacture guidelines and food safety legislation.
• Offer patients a choice of hot & cold beverages, a minimum of five times a day.
• Ensure a regular supply of fresh water to each patient throughout the day.
• Serve the patient their choice and portion size of main dish, vegetables and accompaniments in an appealing and appetising way; offer second portions if required.
• Ensure patients with special dietary requirements receive the appropriate food following liaison with the dietician or nurse.
• Identify appropriate meal choices to meet patient needs and preferences.
• Move food to wards/RDU as required, adhering to food safety legislation.
• Maintain adequate stock levels of milk, bread, tea, coffee, cereal, preserves, etc.
• Identify shortages of crockery and cutlery to the Facilities Team Leader and ensure an appropriate supply is available.
• Ensure efficient and safe use of cleaning equipment.
• Prepare the patient’s eating environment (day room/bedside table) to the standards stipulated in the ward manual so that the patient can eat in a relaxed environment.
• Clear cutlery/crockery and clean day room/bedside table promptly after service.
• Clean all surfaces and equipment in the kitchen according to the daily cleaning schedule.
• Carry out daily and weekly cleaning tasks as directed through the cleaning schedules and complete the required paperwork.

About Our Team

With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city, playing a leading role in research, education and innovation. Our team is tight‑knit and works well together, and we are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas. We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we strive to better represent our workforce.

Benefits

• A subsidised staff restaurant is available on site, open 7 am–11 pm, 7 days a week.
• Annual leave starts at 27 days a year plus bank holidays.
• Staff discounts via the NHS Discounts website.