Patient Catering Assistant

Serco Limited; Larbert; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension

Holidays: 27 days + 8 public holidays

Training and development opportunities

Wellbeing: EAP and healthline services

Discounts across 1,000 retailers

Employee networks

Charity volunteering day

Job summary

Serco Limited is seeking a Patient Catering Assistant at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert. The role is fixed-term for 12 months, part-time, 20 hours across 7 days with shifts starting 7am to 8pm. The NHS Band 2 salary is £26,969 pro rata for 20 hours per week.

You will help deliver a high-quality, person-centred catering service to patients, colleagues and visitors, supporting safe meal preparation, service and distribution while upholding hygiene and service standards.

Qualifications

• Good communication and customer care skills.
• Ability to work in a team and use initiative.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, safety and service quality.
• Flexible, adaptable, able to work in a busy environment with tight deadlines.
• Previous catering experience beneficial; training provided.

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation, portioning, distribution and service of meals and snacks across the hospital.
• Deliver excellent customer service to patients, visitors and colleagues in restaurant, café, and ward environments.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety in line with departmental procedures.
• Operate catering equipment safely and report any faults or concerns promptly.
• Complete cleaning schedules, temperature records, and other required documentation accurately.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure meals are delivered on time and patient dietary requirements are met.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Teamwork

Flexibility

Initiative

Job description

Patient Catering Assistant

Location: Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, FK5 4WR
Salary: Agenda For Change Band 2: £26,969 pro rata (based on 20 hours per week)
Schedule: Fixed Term Contract 12-months, Part-time, 20 hours over 7 days, flexible shifts available. Shift times start from 7am and finish no later than 8pm.

Ready to impact a better future?

As a Patient Catering Assistant in our Health team, you'll help deliver a high-quality, person-centred catering service to patients, colleagues, and visitors. Your work will support the safe preparation, service, and distribution of meals while helping create a positive experience for everyone who uses the hospital's catering facilities.

Our work touches lives every day. From supporting patient recovery through quality meal services to maintaining safe and welcoming catering environments, you'll play an important role in delivering care that makes a positive impact on communities. Whether you're serving meals, supporting food preparation, or helping maintain high hygiene standards, your work has purpose and helps impact a better future.

What you'll do as a Patient Catering Assistant

• Support the preparation, portioning, distribution, and service of meals and snacks across the hospital.
• Deliver excellent customer service to patients, visitors, and colleagues in restaurant, café, and ward environments.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and safety in line with departmental procedures.
• Operate catering equipment safely and report any faults or concerns promptly.
• Complete cleaning schedules, temperature records, and other required documentation accurately.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure meals are delivered on time and patient dietary requirements are met.

Does this sound like you?

• You have good communication and customer care skills and enjoy working with people.
• You can work effectively as part of a team while also using your initiative when required.
• You take pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety, and service quality.
• You're flexible, adaptable, and able to work well in a busy environment with tight deadlines.
• Previous catering experience would be beneficial, but full training will be provided.

What we offer

• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme

• Holidays: 27 days plus 8 public holidays (35 days total), rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years of service.

• Training and development: We offer a wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression

• Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime Healthline, wellbeing app, simply health cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres

• Discounts: Save across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel

• Employee networks: Dedicated networks where colleagues can come together to find support, share challenges, discuss ideas, network and be part of a community

• Charity: Support a charity or organisation with a paid volunteering day each year. You can also choose to donate to your favourite charity tax-free, through our Payroll Giving Scheme

Vetting and checks:

This role requires membership of the PVG Scheme, which involves a detailed check of spent and unspent convictions and other relevant information to ensure safeguarding compliance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can provide any necessary support to help you carry out your responsibilities.