Catering Assistant

NHS; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000

Job description

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Join the Catering Department at Dorset County Hospital and play a vital role in delivering freshly prepared, nutritious meals to patients, staff, and visitors. As a Catering Assistant, you will be an essential part of a friendly, dynamic team committed to providing exceptional service in a fast-paced hospital environment. This is your chance to make a real difference while working in a supportive and rewarding setting.

The role involves preparing & serving meals across patient and retail operations, as well as operating catering equipment such as coffee machines and tills. You will also help maintain the high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene required in a healthcare setting, ensuring all areas are safe and presentable. Customer care is a key part of the position, and you'll contribute to creating a positive experience for everyone who visits or stays at the hospital.

We are looking for individuals with excellent customer service skills who enjoy working as part of a team. You should be adaptable and willing to undertake online training to enhance your knowledge and skills. With flexible shifts across five days of the week, including mornings, lunches, and suppers, you'll play a key role in meeting the hospital's nutritional and operational needs.

If you are enthusiastic about food service and want to be part of a growing hospital that values its people, this could be the opportunity for you. Apply now to join a team dedicated to making a real difference every day!

Main duties of the job

As a Catering Assistant within the Catering Department, you will play a crucial role in delivering a high-quality service to the hospital, supporting the central meal service for patients, and maintaining excellent standards of cleanliness, food safety, and hygiene.

You will work collaboratively within a team, supporting both the patient meal service and the operation of the central dishwashing area. Your responsibilities will include the mechanical washing of crockery, cutlery, and utensils used by patients, staff, and visitors, as well as ensuring general cleaning duties are carried out throughout the catering environment.

The primary duties of a Catering Assistant include:

1. Food Preparation: Assist with food preparation, plating dishes, and supporting basic cooking tasks.
2. Stock Management: Monitor and manage supplies, ensuring stock levels are maintained and efficiently replenished.
3. Cleaning: Maintain cleanliness in kitchens and service areas, including washing up and ensuring hygiene standards are met.
4. Setting Up: Prepare the dining area or kitchen for service, which includes setting up furniture, trolleys, and service areas.
5. Customer Service: Provide exceptional service in retail outlets, ensuring staff and visitors experience high-quality service.
6. Meal Delivery: Safely and efficiently transport meal trolleys to and from wards, ensuring timely delivery.
7. Cash Handling: Operate tills and handle cash transactions, ensuring accuracy and security.

About us

At Dorset County Hospital, we are looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join our dynamic catering team during an exciting period of transformation. As a valued team member, you will play a key role in driving change and ensuring the delivery of high-quality meals to our patients, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Our catering team is small yet incredibly supportive, and we rely on each other to succeed, especially when working under pressure. As part of this team, you'll be encouraged to lead by example, motivating and inspiring your colleagues to deliver their best work every day.

The Trust is committed to supporting the development and success of every team member. We offer comprehensive support systems to help you reach your career goals, including guidance from HR, the Staff Union, and various well-being initiatives such as Vivup and Steps to Wellbeing.

Within the catering department, you'll find a diverse and welcoming group of individuals who treat each other like family. Our team thrives on collaboration, and we celebrate the unique qualities that each member brings to the table. We believe in positive encouragement, providing ample opportunities for personal growth and professional advancement to those who show dedication and commitment.

At Dorset County Hospital, hard work doesn't go unnoticed. You'll be recognized and praised for your efforts, ensuring you feel valued as an integral part of our team.

Job responsibilities

1. Ensure the central service of patient meals is delivered accurately, with the correct meals provided to patients as per their dietary requirements.
2. Participate in the cleaning and sanitation of food preparation areas and equipment, adhering to the highest food safety standards.
3. Operate mechanical cleaning machinery for the upkeep of premises and equipment.
4. Restock waste bins, hand towels, hand soap, and cleaning chemicals across the main kitchen and dining areas, ensuring proper hygiene practices are maintained.
5. Serve a diverse range of individuals in customer service areas, offering assistance with dignity and respect, and meeting their varying needs.
6. Assist with general food preparation, including the preparation of sandwiches, rolls, salads, and cold desserts, as required.
7. Collaborate with team members to maintain cleanliness in premises and equipment as needed.
8. Aid in the transportation of food and materials between service points to ensure smooth operations.
9. Follow departmental and hospital policies including those related to health & safety, fire safety, moving and manual handling, control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH), and food safety & hygiene and all other relevant policies.
10. Provide excellent service to customers in all retail outlets, ensuring a high standard of service while operating till ensuring accurate transactions.
11. Maintain a hygienic environment, ensuring cleanliness and compliance with all health regulations.
12. Uphold a high standard of personal hygiene, wearing the appropriate uniform/protective clothing and shoes provided.
13. Demonstrate flexibility in working to ensure continuous service provision, adapting to the needs of the hospital.
14. Support the department by working in other areas as required, contributing to the overall service delivery.
15. Support the estates and facilities department by working in other areas as required, contributing to the overall service delivery.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

• Evidence of School Education
• Basic Food Hygiene
• Manual Handling of Loads

Knowledge & Experience

• Food Safety and Handling: Familiarity with basic food hygiene standards (e.g., Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate). Understanding of cross-contamination risks and allergen awareness
• Kitchen Operations: Experience working in a kitchen environment, assisting with preparation, cleaning, and organization. Knowledge of using basic kitchen equipment safely.
• Retail Operations: Experience in a retail or customer-facing role, preferably in food service. Knowledge of operating point-of-sale systems and handling cash or card payments
• Stock Management: Basic understanding of stock rotation (FIFO) and minimizing food waste.
• Health and Safety: Awareness of workplace safety protocols, including lifting and handling procedures.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with customers, team members, and supervisors.
• Flexibility in Scheduling: Willingness to work shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

Skills & Abilities

• Food Preparation Skills: Basic food preparation, including chopping, portioning, and assembling meals. Understanding of dietary requirements with modified texture or clinical dietary requirements
• Customer Service Skills: Friendly and professional demeanour when interacting with customers in retail settings. Ability to handle customer inquiries and provide assistance promptly and courteously.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Willingness to perform a variety of tasks, including retail service, food preparation, and cleaning duties. Ability to switch between front-of-house and back-of-house roles as needed.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with chefs, kitchen staff, and retail colleagues. Willingness to take direction and assist with team goals.
• Food Safety and Hygiene: Basic understanding of food safety practices, including proper storage, handling, and cleaning. Awareness of personal hygiene and its importance in food service environments.
• Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment, ensuring timely meal service and retail operations.
• Numeracy Skills: Handling cash transactions accurately and efficiently in the retail setting. Recording inventory or assisting in stock management when needed.

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

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust