Catering Assistant

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Job Overview
Carrying out of duties in the central Production Kitchen, Restaurant or Regen Ward Kitchens and associated areas. These duties include service of food, cleaning of premises and equipment, pre-preparation of food items prior to service and to regenerate cooked meals for patients at lunch and supper at ward level. It can involve taking of cash, manly via the use of cash tills. Pot wash and working in the catering stores area. Full training is given before this duty is undertaken.

Main duties of the job

Skills

• Ability to communicate with other catering staff regarding work issues and instructions

Training

• To be able to undertake a structured training programme through taught courses and on the job training to last approximately 3 months to include foundation certificate in food hygiene/level 2 food safety certificate, and equipment training (slicing, boilers, cooling kettles etc). To be signed off as competent with a 3-4 month period

Experience

• Recent relevant catering experience is essential (within the last 3 years)
• Currently Works in the Catering Industry
• Up to date awareness of Catering Procedures and Food Safety

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• Ability to work as a member of a team or alone
• Ability to organise day to day work tasks of self
• Ability to carry out basic teaching skills in assisting and demonstrating duties to new members of staff.
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills.
• Flexibility – able to handle several tasks at once, e.g. reading patient's menus whilst plating up the food item ordered, interacting with staff whilst serving food
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interact verbally with patients, other staff, customers and visitors both in person and over the telephone
• Ability to communicate with other catering staff regarding work issues and instructions
• Ability to read instructions relating to work processes.
• Ability to use initiative and take prompt follow up action as required by the situation, e.g. replacing a patient's meal.
• Knowledge of the food menu and special diets, dietary requirements and Allergens
• Ability to present and garnish meals to expected high standard of the Catering Department.
• Dealing with customers complaints.
• Training will be given for the above.
• Preparing salads, sandwiches, some cold sweets, cheese and biscuits etc prior to food service, plate and garnish.
• Preparing of work stations for the service of meals
• Prepare patient meal trays prior to food service.
• Serving/dispatching of meals for patients and dealing with any issues that arise eg menu mix ups, last minute dietary requests
• Serving of meals to other staff members and special function guests interacting and communicating as appropriate at all times
• Receipt of food, recording of temperatures and regen of food.
• Assisting Chefs as and when required with food preparation in readiness for cooking.
• Cleaning of premises including floors, walls, sinks, wash hand basins, work surfaces, cupboards etc.
• Cleaning of large items of equipment including regen ovens, microwave etc.
• Washing of crockery, cutlery and other utensils and small items of equipment
• Cleaning of food trolleys, general purpose trolleys etc.
• Replenishing of vending machines and completion of necessary paperwork
• Maintaining agreed standards of food hygiene at all times.
• Taking items to and collecting items from wards and other departments as required.
• When required, making custard and gravy in regen kitchen.
• Collect patient menus from wards.
• Loading / unloading and movement of meal service trolleys and insulated food boxes.
• Operating a variety of equipment, e.g. floor scrubbing machine, dishwashers etc.
• Carrying out duties with regard to special functions to include waiting on foodservice.
• Correctly using knives and other cutting equipment, following in house training.
• Completing work records e.g. temperature recording, cleaning checklists etc.
• Carrying out cash handling duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures following approved training.
• Reporting of defects to buildings or equipment to a senior member of staff. To immediately report any incidents of pests to a senior member of staff.
• Interacting with Ward and other Hospital staff via telephone and face to face.
• Attending meetings with Departmental Supervisors and Managers to discuss and evaluate the future direction of the catering service. Ensuring discussions are reported back to colleagues.
• Completing one's own daily timesheet
• Following departmental policy and food safety guidelines at all times.
• Promoting a professional attitude in all aspects of communication with customers (patients, visitors etc.)
• Undertaking any training necessary to help promote the professional image of Catering Department
• Understanding of and compliance with the Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Point system in operation.
• Ensuring high standards of personal hygiene in accordance with NBT policy of Food Safety and Pest Control.
• Adhering to and following all National/Trust policies in relation to Health & Safety, written system of work, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, Manual Handling, Fire, Food Hygiene and any other legislation as appropriate.
• Displaying a professional attitude at all times including wearing correct uniform, footwear and minimum jewellery in line with individual departmental policies and requirements. You will act in a courteous manner to all patients, staff, visitors and work colleagues.
• Adhering to and following legislation with regards to Food Temperature regulations.

Adhering to and following national and local policies and procedures, relating to staff terms of employment and employment practice

Person specification

Shortlisting criteria

Essential criteria

• Must hold or be able to obtain a Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene (or equivalent) within 3 months of starting employment with NBT
• Recent experience in the catering industry within the last 3 years, with the most recent position held no later than 6 months ago
• Currently employed in the catering industry
• Ability to effectively communicate with other catering staff regarding work-related issues and instructions
• Demonstrated ability & track record in working in a fast-moving catering department
• Be able to follow instructions from colleagues & supervisors

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT's workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.