Ward Housekeeper

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dedicated catering assistant to support patients with meals and beverages, liaising closely with the ward dietitian to ensure appropriate fortification and dietary choices are respected.

You will assist patients with ordering meals, serve at ward level, record food intake, and help maintain high hygiene standards in line with Food Hygiene Regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience in hospital food service is desirable.
• Ability to liaise with patients and staff to support dietary needs.

Responsibilities

• Explain the menu system to patients and liaise with patients and families regarding meal preferences.
• Assist patients to order meals and consider dietary needs and medical requirements.
• Liaise with ward dietitian and ensure fortification of foods as instructed.
• Record food intake on charts and ensure meals are served at correct temperatures.
• Prepare and serve meals with the ward team and maintain hygiene standards.

Skills

Meal service

Dietary liaison

Hygiene standards

Food fortification

Job description

To ensure the provision of an individualised high quality food and beverage service to patients liaising closely with the ward dietitian and ensure appropriate fortification of foods at ward level, as detailed by the dietitian. Working hours available are 37.5 hours weekly, either 7.5 hour shifts or 12 hour shifts depending on the needs of that ward over a 7 day period.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. We have state-of-the-art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

• Explain the menu system to new patients and liaise on a daily basis with the patients and family members regarding meal preferences and appetites, taking into account any cultural and religious choices.
• To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special dietary needs and medical requirements.
• To liaise closely with the ward dietitian and ensure appropriate fortification of foods at ward level, as detailed by the dietitian.
• To ensure that each patient receives their chosen meal, have any assistance they require to eat and drink (red tray/beaker system) and to record food intake on food record charts, in conjunction with nursing staff.
• To ensure all food and beverages are served at the correct temperature in accordance with Food Hygiene Regulations.
• Ensure all patients' menu cards are filled in correctly, collated and delivered to the menu clerk on a daily basis.
• In conjunction with nursing staff collate information of special diets and update the ward kitchen nutrition information board on a daily basis.
• To prepare and serve meals from the ward kitchen in conjunction with the nursing/midwifery team and at the appropriate times in accordance with the Trust's 'Protected Mealtime' system.
• Collect crockery and cutlery and in conjunction with ward domestic ensure that all equipment/utensils used in the preparation, consumption and service of meals are washed to correct hygiene standards.
• To prepare and serve hot/cold snacks (e.g. toast) as requested - offering a 24-hour snack service.
• To take responsibility for the ward kitchen ensuring it is clean at all times in accordance with daily, weekly and periodic cleaning schedules (includes equipment: fixed and mobile)
• To ensure refrigerated food is labelled and stored correctly as per policy e.g. discarding out-of-date food, rotating stock.
• To ensure in conjunction with the nursing staff that discharged and newly admitted patient's meal requirements are actioned.
• To co-ordinate extra meal requirements/special diets with the diet chef and dietitian, as necessary.
• Order daily provisions using the requisition book to agreed stock levels from the catering stores.
• Inform the ward manager of replacement crockery, cutlery and food service/storage equipment requirements.