Patient Catering Assistant - LRI

Uhleicester; Leicester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is seeking a Patient Catering Assistant for the Leicester Royal Infirmary to support ward meal service. You will prepare and regenerate meals, transport to wards, and ensure timely service in line with food safety policies.

This role involves teamwork with ward staff, using SAFFRON orders via a handheld tablet, and maintaining cleanliness in cold and wet kitchen environments. Closing date: 17 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Must achieve CIEH Level 2 in Food Safety within 3 months.
• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in support services and customer care.
• Previous experience in a healthcare environment is desirable.
• Catering experience and ability to work in a busy hospital kitchen.
• Able to work in cold and wet conditions and maintain hygiene standards.

Responsibilities

• Transport meals from the Catering Department to wards and check temperatures.
• Regenerate meals on ward using ovens and follow food safety paperwork.
• Ensure every patient receives a meal, collecting orders and completing service.
• Clean ward kitchens and wash up using industrial dishwasher.
• Record temperatures and report equipment faults to supervisor.
• Prepare meal trays and pack for service, adhering to Trust policies.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness across the work area.

Education

CIEH Level 2 in Food Safety

NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in support services and customer care

Tools

SAFFRON system

Hand held tablet

Job description

Go back University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Patient Catering Assistant - LRI

The closing date is 17 November 2026

The role of the Patient Catering Assistant is to carry outduties within the chilled production and wash up areas in themain kitchen as required. Providing a high standard patientmeal 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.

Working as part of a Team to include Ward Staff to provide all Patient Meals in a timely manner within Food Safety guidelines.

UHL provides Breakfast, Lunch & Supper to over 1800 patients per day. Which includes Snacks, Beverages & Special Dietary requirements.

Observing;Trust policies and processesFood Safety Management SystemsLocal processesFood Safety Policies

Main duties of the job

Transporting the Patient Meals from the Catering Department to the Ward for evening meal service, checking arrival temperatures.

Cooking the meals on the Ward using microwaves, using a probes and wipes and completing the Food Safety paperwork

Checking that each patient has received a Meal, which could include taking an order, collecting the items and continue cooking until Ward is complete

Cleaning of the Ward Kitchen after service

Returning the used crockery and cutlery to the Catering Department and Washing up, using an industrial dishwasher

Recording and disposing of all food waste

Departmental Cleaning, which includes dismantling the Dishwasher and reassembling.

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact,
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive,
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

Job responsibilities

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.

Completing meal service at ward level

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.

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. Working within chilled areas and in wet environments.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.

Person Specification

Experience

• Able to carry out instructions and duties as detailed in the job description.
• To Achieve CIEH Level 2 in Food Safety within 3 months. To Achieve within 3 years NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in support services and customer care
• Previous experience of working within a healthcare environment.
• Catering experience
• CIEH Level 2 in Food Safety
• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in support services and customer care

Communication and relationship skills

• Have a good standard of the English language including both written and oral communication skills and able to provide and receive routine information orally, in writing or electronically to inform work colleagues.
• Must be able to use an electronic hand held tablet, after training, to collect patient meal orders. Provide menu information/guidance directly to patients, relatives and ward teams
• Ability to work as a team member or on own initiative

Planning and organisation skills

• Planning and organisation of daily/weekly work tasks/activities
• Is guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs), good practice and established precedents understanding what standards are to be achieved.

Other requirements specific to the role

• Able to work in a busy environment.
• Working to deadlines safely in a care environment.
• Working in cold and wet conditions.
• Required to work within an unpredictable and demanding environment requiring concentration when undertaking work tasks.
• Flexible approach to working practices
• Must be able to attend Trust induction and any relevant training that is required for this post.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours

Training & Qualifications

• Must be able to attend Trust induction and any relevant training that is required for this position.

Skills

• Understanding of a range of routine work processes. Requiring a combination of on-the-job training and a period of induction
• Adhere to policies and procedures.
• Is able to propose improvements to working practices within own work area.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others.

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.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

£25,272 a yearEnhancements paid for weekend shifts