Patient Catering Assistant

Transformation Unit; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 2 Kitchen Porter to provide a safe, efficient food service across wards, departments and the hospital restaurant. The role covers preparation, service and adherence to food hygiene standards for patients, staff and visitors.

The successful candidate will support portion control, maintain clean and hygienic areas and demonstrate a friendly, professional manner at all times. Shifts are Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours weekly.

Qualifications

• Reasonable level of numeracy and literacy in English.
• Good level of general education.
• Knowledge of the principles of effective food hygiene.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety, COSHH.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and service foods as detailed by menus in ward areas.
• Ensure portion control, presentation and accurate recording.
• Hygienically clean catering areas, equipment and utensils.
• Provide a friendly, professional attitude to patients and staff.

Skills

Numeracy

Literacy

Education

General education

Job description

Main area Kitchen Porter Grade Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week (Various shifts and patterns Monday - Friday please specify hours you would be interested in on the application sheet)

Employer Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Broomfield Town Chelmsford Salary £25,272 n/a Salary period Yearly Closing 30/09/2026 23:59

Band 2

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the onlyacute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

Provide an effective and efficient food service within the wards, departments and restaurant, ensuring the highest food safety standards at all times to patients, staff and visitors of the Trust.

Main duties of the job

To carry out the preparation and service of all manner of foods as detailed by way of menu’s in the ward areas. To comply with instruction on portion control, presentation and recording all information pertaining to the service as may be required.

To carry out the hygienic cleaning of catering and associated areas to include vending equipment, light equipment and utensils as detailed in the cleaning schedule or as required ensuring safe and hygienic environment for all users of the service.

To project a friendly and professional attitude to all patients and customers using the services and to demonstrate product knowledge when enquiries are made.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Reasonable level of numeracy and literacy in English
• Good Level of general education

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of the principles of effective food hygiene
• Knowledge of Health and Safety, COSHH

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn’t accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.