Catering Assistant

Job description

Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.

Job overview

To assist with the efficient operation and production of catering services provided to patients, staff and visitors to the Catering Services Department.

Main duties of the job

To support the wider catering team in provision of all catering services including covering and supporting other catering roles as required by the needs of the service.

The service of food in the restaurant, sandwich bar and patients plated meal service, including setting up and clearing down of service station.

Preparation of sandwiches, salads, fruit and beverages for the restaurant and hospitality/function services.

To serve and replenish food provided in the restaurant. Cash handling, till operation and to cash up as and when required.

To be responsible for general cleaning and deep cleaning of servery area.

Cleaning and deep cleaning duties as required on the plated meal service including patient's crockery, cutlery, service utensils and all plated meal service areas.

Cleaning and deep cleaning duties required with the restaurant area including table cleaning, crockery, cutlery, and all areas of the restaurant.
Supporting healthcare staff by providing information on the menus, including allergen and basic nutritional and dietary information, and escalating to the diet chef or dietitian or speech and language team as needed.

To ensure basic food hygiene standards are maintained and breeches are communicated appropriately and in a timely manner, in accordance with the departmental food safety documentation.

To record all provisions and meals supplied to patients and departments appropriately and to secure and rotate stock in accordance with department SOPs.

Working for our organisation

Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.

Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.

We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.

The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Good standard of education or equivalent experience - equivalent to GCSE at grades 4-9, A-C, NVQ level 2 or equivalent experience
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate or willingness to undertake
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition and Health or willingness to undertake

Desirable criteria

• Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning Knowledge and Skills

Experience & Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Previous catering experience including basic food handling and preparation.
• Experience of working in a customer facing role
• Knowledge of COSHH, Health and Safety and Food safety including allergen information or willingness to learn and undertake supplementary training.
• In depth knowledge of food allergens or a willingness to learn.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in an NHS catering environment

Skills & Ability

Essential criteria

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective organisational skills and ability to manage time and prioritise work.
• Attention to detail
• A drive to improve and support positive change and continue own personal and professional development.

Other

Essential criteria

• Flexibility in working hours may be required.
• Professional manner and organised approach
• Physically fit including ability to stand for long periods and work at a predetermined rate.

Using AI in Your Application

We support the use of technology to help manage time and improve efficiency, but it is your responsibility to ensure your application is personalised and accurately reflects your own skills, experience and values.

AI tools can be useful when drafting an application, but they should only be used to assist you. The content submitted must be your own work and an authentic representation of your knowledge, abilities and experiences.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may be rejected. For example, we may receive multiple applications containing identical or generic wording that does not reflect the individual applicant.

The use of AI during assessments, including interviews, is not permitted unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. For virtual interviews, you may be asked to provide a 360-degree view of the room and confirm that no additional devices are being used. If AI use is suspected during an interview, we may pause the interview, ask questions regarding its use, or adapt our assessment approach.

Working in healthcare requires integrity, honesty and accountability. We expect all applications and assessments to be a genuine reflection of your own experience, knowledge and values.
Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in both the delivery of our services and the recruitment and management of our staff.

We welcome applications from everyone who has the skills, experience and values required for the role, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity.
Happy to Talk Flexible Working

We are committed to supporting flexible ways of working and will consider all requests for flexible and part-time working wherever service needs allow.
Important Information About Your Application
Recruitment Process

Applications are submitted through our recruitment system, Trac. Following submission, all correspondence relating to your application will be sent from apps.trac.jobs. Please regularly check your inbox, including your junk or spam folders.

Shortlisted candidates will normally be contacted at least five working days before their interview date.
Vacancy Closing Dates

This vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
English Language Requirement

In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, all applicants must be able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English. This will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Pre-Employment Checks and Probation
Keeping Patients Safe

At Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, patient safety is our highest priority. We recommend that staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and understand that we continue to care for patients who are COVID-19 positive within our services.
Probationary Period

All new employees will be required to complete a six-month probationary period as part of their employment with the Trust.

Tackling Climate Change: Hampshire Hospitals aims to embed sustainability and net zero carbon principles into the delivery of care across all its services. To find out more, search