Patient Meals Catering Assistant

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Cottingham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in the United Kingdom is seeking a Patient Meals Catering Assistant. The role involves providing a comprehensive catering service for patients while ensuring food is presented attractively. Candidates should have at least 2 years of catering experience and relevant vocational qualifications, including NVQ Level 2. The position includes shifts, weekends, and bank holidays. The Trust promotes inclusiveness and encourages applications from qualified candidates who enjoy working in a healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Requires a minimum of 2 years experience in catering.
• Knowledge of HACCP/Food Safety is essential.
• Basic Food Safety Training is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the provision of a catering service for patients.
• Provide high quality ward catering services.
• Ensure food items are presented attractively.

Skills

High level of interpersonal skills

Basic IT skills

Ability to prioritize care

Education

NVQ Level 2 or above in relevant subject

GCSE English and Maths or equivalent

Basic Food Safety Training

Job description

Patient Meals Catering Assistant

The closing date is 16 January 2026

These posts will cover Ward catering Services at Hull Royal Infirmary.

The shift pattern includes days, weekends, and bank holidays with unsocial hours enhancements (as per NHS employee terms and conditions).

Week 2 – Monday 08:00‑13:30 & 15:00‑18:30, Tuesday 08:00‑13:30 & 15:00‑18:30, Saturday 08:00‑13:30 & 15:00‑18:30, Sunday 08:00‑13:30 & 15:00‑18:30.

Please note that this advertised vacancy does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa and therefore HUTH would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will assist in the provision of a comprehensive and cost‑effective catering service that meets the needs of all patients whilst fulfilling the objectives of the Trust.

To provide a full range of high quality ward catering services including the regeneration and attractive presentation of a wide range of cook‑freeze food items.

About us

The Humber Health Partnership is one of the largest acute and community partnership arrangements in the NHS, seeing well over one million patients every year and managing a budget of over £1.3 billion.

Made up of two Trusts – Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) – our Partnership has significant ambitions and is committed to delivering world‑class hospital and community services for the 1.65 million people we serve.

Together we employ nearly 20,000 staff. Our five main hospital sites are Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Scunthorpe General Hospital and Goole and District Hospital for NLAG, and Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital for HUTH.

As Teaching Hospitals working with the Hull York Medical School, we both lead and contribute to research in many areas – biomedical research, primary care, palliative medicine, cardiovascular and respiratory medicine, vascular surgery, cancer surgery and oncology.

We believe that by developing a diverse, inclusive, innovative, skilled and caring workforce, we can deliver excellent care to our patients and a great future for our employees, our Partnership and our community.

Job responsibilities

For further details with regard to this vacancy opportunity, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Should we receive a high volume of applications the advert may be closed earlier than stated.

We remain committed to fair and equal recruitment practices and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates who have the right to work in the UK.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

• Basic Food Safety Training.
• NVQ level 1 in relevant subject.
• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
• Food safety Level 2 or above.
• NVQ Level 2 or above in relevant subject.
• UK Driving Licence.
• National Care Certificate.

Knowledge, Training & Experience

• A minimum of 2 years experience in catering dealing with both preparation and service of food items.
• Knowledge of HACCP/Food Safety.
• Previous healthcare work.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Be able to work on own initiative.
• Works well with in a team.
• Demonstrates understanding of confidentiality.
• Participate in standard setting and research projects.
• Evidence showing clinical and professional development.
• To be able to plan, assess, evaluate and implement patient care.
• Ability to prioritise care associated with changing environment/patient demands.
• Facilitate learning of others.
• Kitchen and personal hygiene.
• Ability to meet service timescales.
• Basic IT skills.

Special Attributes and Other

• High level of interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate empathy and diplomacy.
• Flexible and reliable.

Other Requirements

• Good time keeper.
• Ability to work from both hospital sites as required to meet the demands of the service.

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.

Employer name

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust