Patient Catering Assistant

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust; Leicester; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Leicester is seeking a Patient Catering Assistant to ensure high-quality meal service for patients. The role involves effective communication with clinical teams, adherence to food safety standards, and maintaining hygiene practices within the kitchen. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong teamwork and flexibility. This is a great opportunity to contribute to patient care in a dynamic environment offering commitment to equality and diversity.

Qualifications

• Must adhere to HACCP and food safety standards.
• Ability to communicate with patients and clinical teams.
• Experience in catering or kitchen environments is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality meal service to patients.
• Work flexibly within the catering team.
• Ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen area.

Skills

Effective communication

Teamwork

Hygiene practices

Job description

Role Summary

The role of the Patient Catering Assistant is to carry out duties within the chilled production and wash up areas in the main kitchen as required. Providing a high standard patient meal service, in a professional and responsive manner, meeting the needs of the patients. Preparation and regeneration of Meals at ward level on a daily basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicate and liaise effectively with patients, work colleagues, managers and with clinical teams in accordance with Trust values.
• Working flexibly within the catering team.
• Ensure HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) temperature control and correct storage etc is adhered to.
• Observe confidentiality of patients and when employing Trust's business at all times.
• Working as part of a team.
• Good stock rotation which has been checked for dates and quality of food items and quarantining any food items that have been identified and reporting any issues to your Team Lead.
• Having and maintaining good relationships and communication with Clinical Services working together to provide a high quality Patient Catering service.
• Demonstrate good hygiene practices.

Strategic Goals

• High-quality care for all
• Being a great place to work
• Partnerships for impact
• Research and education excellence

Organisational Values

• We are compassionate.
• We are proud.
• We are inclusive.
• We are one team.

Work Environment & Equipment

• Visiting Wards and collecting meal orders directly from patients using an electronic collation system (SAFFRON) by the means of a hand‑held tablet.
• Delivering meals to wards/departments via trolleys, Regen Ovens and in Cam carts in the set time frame for the patient meal service.
• Collection of dirty and used cutlery in/on trolleys or Cam Carts in a timely manner.
• When required assisting with meal service at ward level, using the I‑Wave Steamplicity.
• Minimal food preparation as required in the main production kitchen.
• Working in the wash up area of the kitchen, using a machine dish wash and also manually washing up when required.
• Working within chilled areas and in wet environments.
• Able to accurately record and monitor temperatures to required frequencies.
• Ensuring that foods are checked for suitability for special diets.
• Reporting any faults or defects of equipment or kitchen area to your supervisor, ensuring that any equipment is taken out of use and labelled do not use.
• Picking and packing and preparation of patient meal trays for meal service, adhering to Trust Food Safety Management Policies and Procedures at all times when required.
• Responsibility for ensuring the high standards of cleanliness is maintained throughout the work area adhering to Trust policies and procedures.
• To carry out cleaning tasks, both specific and generic, to prescribed work schedules for designated areas, in line with Trust policies and procedures.
• To adhere to Trust Infection Control Prevention and Control of Substances Hazard to Health (COSHH) policies in carrying out cleaning tasks.
• To adhere to the Trust colour coding system to prevent cross infection.
• Ensuring the correct and economical use of materials and cleaning chemicals seeking advice from the Team Lead if in any doubt.
• To remove and dispose of food, cardboard, and household waste adhering to Waste regulations and Trust policies and procedures.
• Ensure all equipment is cleaned after use and stored securely. Ensure all cleaning products are stored securely.
• Report to your Team Lead any incidents, accidents, mishaps.
• Preparing meal trays and regeneration of patient meals at ward level adhering to Trust food safety management policies and procedures at all times.
• Recording meal temperatures prior to service delivery.
• Responsibility for the ward kitchen/regeneration area ensuring high standards of cleanliness are maintained.
• Operating a 'Clean as you go' process within working environment.

Application & Recruitment

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

Equal Opportunity

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check. The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment. The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID‑19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre‑employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre‑employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

COVID‑19 Vaccination Status

COVID‑19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid‑19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.