Food Service Assistant

Food Service Assistant

Closing date: 27 May 2026

You will be required to work as a key member of the Ward Team to develop and maintain the patient environment, provide a high quality, courteous beverage and meal service to meet the needs of patients, and carry out cleaning and related duties as required to assist in the delivery of the hospital services.

Customer Care & Communication

• Work as part of a team and communicate politely and positively with colleagues, Trust staff, patients, and members of the public.
• Deal initially with any customer complaints.
• Demonstrate commitment to the department and the Trust.
• Give guidance to new staff members regarding department/ward layout and daily routine.

Catering

• Assist in the preparation of all patient food services and ensure that all food is prepared safely and hygienically at all times.

Main duties of the job

• Collect, wash, refill, and distribute patient water jugs and glasses.
• Assist with the production of all meals necessary for the provision of patient service.
• Regenerate food in accordance with Food Hygiene Codes of Practice.
• Plate and assemble patient meals accurately on tray for presentation to the patient.
• Check temperature of foods and record prior to service to patients.
• Ensure that any patient requiring a special diet is catered for.
• Monitor and report wastage levels of patient meals.
• Prepare and serve hot and cold beverages at designated times throughout the day.
• Prepare and serve a range of snacks to patients between meals or on an ad-hoc basis as instructed by nursing staff.
• Collect cutlery and crockery following the patient meal.
• Wash all crockery and cutlery items and store at ward level.
• Adhere to all legislation and policies relating to patient meal service.
• Maintain ward kitchens and equipment in a clean and hygienic manner.
• Ensure that ward issues are maintained to the agreed level.
• Maintain stock control and rotation procedures.
• Conduct meal service by attractive presentation adhering to any specific request.

Cleaning

• Deliver a full cleaning service within the hospital in accordance with work schedules and activity within the area, planning workload using own initiative.

Job Qualifications and Experience

• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to understand and carry out instructions.
• Good listening and communication skills.
• Act on own initiative and adapt quickly to change.
• Work under pressure in a busy environment.
• Maintain professionalism and demonstrate care and compassion with patients and other service users.
• Understanding of Health & Safety.
• Understanding of Customer Care.
• Understanding of Food Hygiene.
• Basic Food Hygiene Level 2.
• Awareness of HACCP.
• Experience of working in a Catering Department.

Equality and Diversity

All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.

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