Kitchen Assistant

NHS; Runcorn; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare charity is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to join their team in Runcorn. The successful candidate will support kitchen operations including food preparation, cooking, and cleaning while ensuring compliance with food safety standards. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work flexibly in a compassionate environment that focuses on patient care.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or kitchen environment preferred.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic cooking experience using fresh ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Assist in basic food preparation and cooking.
• Maintain cleanliness of the kitchen and dining areas.
• Ensure compliance with food safety policies.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Teamwork

Time management

Cleanliness

Sensitivity in communication

Education

Experience in the Catering Industry

Basic understanding of Health and Safety requirements

Job description

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Kitchen Assistant to join our team at Halton Haven Hospice. The ideal candidate will be able to provide outstanding support to a busy kitchen which will include food preparation, cooking of meals and general cleaning throughout, complying with HACCP management processes electronically. We are looking for someone who: Has an understanding of food safety processes, in line with environmental health guidelines. Has a positive attitude, is highly motivated and enthusiastic. Is willing to go above and beyond to ensure that our patients receive outstanding care. Can work three 7 hour shifts flexibly across a 7 day week, on a rota basis. Experience of working within a similar environment would be preferable as the role will require interaction with patients to encourage eating healthy and nutritious meals.

Main duties of the job

The Kitchen Assistant is expected to - Provide support to the kitchen lead, undertaking basic food preparation including the preparation of the Teatime meals and the lunchtime meals as required. Perform cleaning duties as detailed in the work schedule, or as required by the Kitchen Lead, to the required standard. Assist in the checking and storing of food orders and other provisions.

About us

Halton Haven Hospice provides Specialist Palliative and End of Life Care to the people of Halton and surrounding areas who are living with a life limiting illness. We reach a population of approximately 129,000 people and provide all of our services for free. We provide holistic care for our patients, and their loved ones, taking care of their physical and emotional needs so that they can focus on creating cherished memories for as long as possible. We are a registered charity working in partnership with the NHS and although we receive some funding, our wonderful community who support and raise much needed funds enabling us to continue our vital work. By joining the team at Halton Haven, you will be greeted with a warm welcome from day one and will receive an inclusive induction programme to support you through your early days. Each role at the Haven makes a real difference to our patients and their loved ones and we are committed to ensuring all our staff feel supported and valued in their roles.

Job responsibilities

• To assist in basic food preparation as directed by the Kitchen Lead.
• To prepare meals, ensuring these are served at the correct temperature and that this is recorded as per kitchen policy.
• To prepare the vegetables and salad as required by the Kitchen Lead.
• To undertake dishwashing duties using the dishwasher provided and hand washing those cooking utensils not considered suitable for use in the dishwasher.
• To accept delivery of stock in the absence of a more senior person, checking this and ensuring it is correctly stored and that stock is rotated during this process.
• To always work within the food safety policy guidelines.
• To check diet notification forms for any allergies before preparing meals for service users.
• To ensure the correct colour‑coded board and equipment is used for preparing food for service users with allergies, and that all food is prepared in a separate area of the kitchen away from other foods to avoid contamination.
• To ensure that all food items, cooked or raw, are stored safely, appropriately, and at the required temperature.
• To undertake routine cleaning of the designated area to the required standard, including wiping dining tables and chairs, cleaning the dining area after lunchtime meals, washing work surfaces after use, wiping down door and other handles daily, emptying the waste bin, ensuring the visitor room and its contents are clean, ensuring the fridge in the visitor room is stocked and food is labelled and dated, discarding unlabelled or out‑of‑date items, restocking the visitor room at shift end, brushing and mopping the floor, checking the food cupboard and refilling canisters, and conducting all closing checks and handing information to the cook.
• Education and training: to undergo such education and training as may be necessary to competently carry out the post.
• Communication: to carry out all duties involving patients, their families, staff and volunteers in a courteous and respectful manner; to report all mishaps/accidents as and when they occur to the Kitchen Lead; to report equipment shortages and/or electrical faults to the Kitchen Lead or maintenance staff; to respect the confidential nature of all patient information.
• General: to act responsibly at all times, ensuring that actions do not bring the Hospice into disrepute; to contribute to the team functioning of the Hospice; to ensure compliance with hospice policies and procedures and health and safety; to attend Fire Safety Training and other required meetings.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Able to work sensitively and confidentially
• Able to work in a team
• Able to work to a high standard of cleanliness
• Organisation skills and time management within a structured framework
• Able to work well under pressure

Other

• Able to work flexibly
• Able to maintain a professional appearance at all times in conjunction with uniform policy
• To undertake any other duty deemed reasonable as required by your Line Manager

Experience

• Able to work independently and on own initiative
• Cooking experience (using fresh ingredients)

Qualifications

• Experience in the Catering Industry
• Basic understanding of Health and Safety requirements

Personal Qualities

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to organise and prioritise workload
• Self‑motivated and able to motivate others
• Effective team player
• Motivated to work within a Hospice environment
• Hold an understanding of the values and behaviour expected within this role

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.