Ward Caterer

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Torquay; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider is seeking a motivated Ward Caterer to join the catering team on a permanent part-time basis in Torquay. The successful candidate will provide patient meal services and ensure high-quality food service while complying with food safety and infection control standards. This role requires basic numeracy and literacy skills, and knowledge of catering equipment is an advantage. Enjoy an opportunity to contribute to patient care in an innovative healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake training relevant to the post.
• Experience working in a hospital or hotel services environment.
• Ability to work under pressure in a catering setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient meal services and beverage services on the ward.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP food safety requirements.
• Co-ordinate patient food and beverage services according to nutritional guidelines.

Skills

Good verbal and written skills

Ability to communicate at all levels

Smart, clean and tidy appearance

Enthusiastic, approachable and confident

Multi-skilled and flexible

Education

Basic numeracy and literacy skills

Basic IT skills

NVQ Customer Care Training

COSHH & Health and Safety Training

Tools

Knowledge of catering equipment

Job description

Ward Caterer

The closing date is 18 December 2025

We have an opportunity for an individual to join our catering team on permanent contract working part time hours to provide ward based catering services to our patients.

As a ward cater you will be required to provide the patient meal service and beverage services at ward level. Therefore, we are looking for an individual who is polite, courteous and helpful to our patients and staff.

It is important you comply with all HACCP food safety requirements and legislation and will work as part of the ward based team, ensuring a high quality food service and presentation of meals including breakfast, lunch and supper services.

You will be responsible for the co-ordination of all patient food and beverage services in accordance with the NPSA Nutritional Guidelines and expected to comply with all Trust Infection Control policies and conduct yourself at all times in a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infections.

Main duties of the job

• Ensure high standards when working individually or as part of the team and be aware of the Trust's objectives and priorities. The Trust's success depends on all staff playing an active role to make sure the existing areas of good practices are universally embedded within the organisation.
• Understand the Trust's key priorities and those for your Directorate and Service, help translate these into key priorities for your work place.
• Understand level one Equality and Diversity.
• Maintain good working relationships with colleagues.
• To respond with humanity and kindness to every person, by listening attentively and respecting others in conversations.
• To attend specified shifts as required.
• Promote an effective team ethos.
• To provide the highest quality of customer service by listening to and acting on feedback.
• Fully engage in the annual review process.
• Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and appearance including laundering own uniform according to Trust policy.
• Use all PPE as required.
• Helping and supporting your colleagues so that you work well together to achieve common goals and objectives.
• Take part in regular team meetings/talks to achieve the best possible outcomes for our customers.
• To value and treat your team members equally and with respect.
• To strive to provide excellent, innovative services that help our patients/clients customers have a good and professionally delivered healthcare experience.

About us

At Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, our success starts with you. The Catering Department is seeking motivated team members to assist in the provision of our patient meal service.

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the first successful integrated care Foundation trusts in the UK with a reputation and a tradition of innovation which prides itself on its investment in staff both in terms of developing career skills but also its commitment to staff health and wellbeing.

Care to join us?

Job responsibilities

Full vacancy details can be found on the attached job description and person specification.

Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• Willingness to undertake training relevant to the post
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills
• Basic IT skills
• NVQ Customer Care Training
• COSHH & Health and Safety

Knowledge and experience

• Good verbal and written skills
• Ability to communicate at all levels, including staff, patients, visitors
• Smart, clean and tidy appearance
• Enthusiastic, approachable and confident
• Multi-skilled and flexible
• Working in a hospital environment or hotel services environment
• Knowledge of catering equipment

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

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust