Ward Host

St Joseph’s Hospice; Greater London; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

St Joseph’s Hospice in London is seeking a Ward Host with experience in catering, hospitality or customer service. You will take meal orders, serve meals and drinks, keep ward kitchens stocked and clean, and support patients with non-clinical needs so nurses can focus on care.

You will work on a seven-day rota, including bank holidays, and contribute to a warm, compassionate environment that respects patient dignity and comfort.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a catering, hospitality or customer service role.
• Understanding of dietary requirements and food safety, including temperature control.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a warm and caring manner.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and remain calm in a busy and emotionally sensitive environment.
• Understanding of infection prevention and control principles.
• Able to work flexibly on a 7-day rota, including bank holidays.
• Able to work as part of a team and to respond flexibly to patient needs.
• Able to conduct oneself in accordance with the Core Values of St Josephs Hospice.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and data protection.
• Basic Food Hygiene certificate (Level 2), or a willingness to obtain one.
• Experience of working in a healthcare, care or hospice setting.

Responsibilities

• Take and manage patient meal orders, ensuring menus are followed and the catering team are informed of any dietary requirements or requests
• Serve meals, snacks and refreshments to patients in both individual rooms and communal areas, ensuring a high standard of care
• Provide support to patients to take diet and fluids under the supervision of ward staff
• Prepare and distribute hot and cold beverages, regularly replenishing water jugs to support patient hydration
• Collect food trolleys from the kitchen, ensure timely delivery to wards, and ensure food is maintained at appropriate temperatures
• Maintain appropriate stock levels on wards, including essential items such as milk, cereals and other provisions
• Deliver excellent customer service by prioritising patient needs and promoting a positive dining experience
• Manage the ward kitchens and relatives room kitchenette, including the cleanliness of fridges and removal of out-of-date items
• Ensure that all relevant monitoring records are maintained
• Play a key role in infection control, including the upkeep of infection control in ward kitchen areas in line with infection control protocols and procedures

Skills

Catering experience

Hospitality experience

Customer service

Dietary requirements knowledge

Food safety knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Warm and caring manner

Flexibility

7-day rota availability

Education

Basic Food Hygiene Level 2

Job description

We are looking for someone who has experience in catering, hospitality or customer service, ideally in a healthcare, care or hospice environment. Our Ward Hosts create a welcoming, comfortable and warm environment for patients and their visitors. The role bridges the gap between clinical care and hospitality: you’ll take meal orders, serve meals, snacks and drinks, keep the ward kitchens stocked and clean, and look after patients non-clinical needs so that our nurses can focus on clinical care.

• Experience of working in a catering, hospitality or customer service role
• An understanding of dietary requirements and food safety, including temperature control
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a warm and caring manner
• The ability to work flexibly on a seven-day rota, including bank holidays

Where you’ll work

St Josephs Hospice was founded in 1905 by the Religious Sisters of Charity and built on a rich Catholic heritage. Today, we are an Investors in Diversity awarded charity, providing expert, compassionate care to people of all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs across East and North London.

Our specialist palliative care services delivered at home, in our in-patient unit, and through out-patient clinics are grounded in respect for human dignity and guided by compassion, justice, and a deep commitment to quality. Our values guide us in everything that we do. We work to ensure that everyone receives the support they need, with kindness, understanding, and respect by delivering individualised, responsive and holistic support to patients and their families.

Why work for us?

• 27 days holiday plus public holidays, increasing up to 33 days with service
• Subsidised café and early access to retail sale events
• Season ticket loan
• Continuation of NHS Pension Scheme or an excellent salary-exchange pension scheme
• Santander cycles discount and cycle to work scheme
• Health Cash Plan and access to the EAP services

We are an equal opportunities and a disability confident employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

Job Responsibilities

• Take and manage patient meal orders, ensuring menus are followed and the catering team are informed of any dietary requirements or requests
• Serve meals, snacks and refreshments to patients in both individual rooms and communal areas, ensuring a high standard of care
• Provide support to patients to take diet and fluids under the supervision of ward staff
• Prepare and distribute hot and cold beverages, regularly replenishing water jugs to support patient hydration
• Collect food trolleys from the kitchen, ensure timely delivery to wards, and ensure food is maintained at appropriate temperatures
• Maintain appropriate stock levels on wards, including essential items such as milk, cereals and other provisions
• Deliver excellent customer service by prioritising patient needs and promoting a positive dining experience
• Manage the ward kitchens and relatives room kitchenette, including the cleanliness of fridges and removal of out-of-date items
• Ensure that all relevant monitoring records are maintained
• Play a key role in infection control, including the upkeep of infection control in ward kitchen areas in line with infection control protocols and procedures

Person Specification

• Experience of working in a catering, hospitality or customer service role
• Understanding of dietary requirements and food safety, including temperature control
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a warm and caring manner
• Ability to prioritise tasks and remain calm in a busy and emotionally sensitive environment
• Understanding of infection prevention and control principles
• Able to work flexibly on a 7-day rota, including bank holidays
• Able to work as part of a team and to respond flexibly to patient needs
• Able to conduct oneself in accordance with the Core Values of St Josephs Hospice
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and data protection
• Basic Food Hygiene certificate (Level 2), or a willingness to obtain one
• Experience of working in a healthcare, care or hospice setting