Catering Assistant

Job summary

Main purpose of the job: The post holder will be responsible for all aspects of patient meal selection, regeneration of frozen meals and preparation of simple foods such as breakfast items, sandwiches, and salads. This involves working directly with patients some of whom are compromised, on a one-to-one basis and being fully conversant with the nutritional state of all patients. Will advise patients on the various nutritional/dietary options available dependent upon the patient's needs. The post holder will ensure that patients receive their food/drinks in an environment that has been adequately prepared for mealtimes. Patients' meals will be served at the correct temperature and consistency whilst ensuring that the patient receives the meal they ordered. The post holder will be fully responsible for monitoring food wastage, including quality control checks of food items, maintaining adequately stock levels of ward provisions. The post holder must ensure that all food storage and serving equipment including crockery is cleaned and stored appropriately and adhering to infection control standards The post holder will be able to work without supervision at the stated place of work but may be asked to work at any of the Trust's sites.

Main duties of the job

• Complete individual patients menus and ensure appropriate meals and diets are ordered, check the dietary requirements of the patient with the ward staff. Be able to read and action patient information/instructions to ensure that patients are not given inappropriate food/drinks ie allergies
• Deal calmly with patients who may show aggressive behaviour.
• Prepare simple foods, such as breakfast items, salads and sandwiches.
• Pick all foods required from fridges, freezer and stores against menu requirements, selecting the correct portion sizes to minimise waste, load regeneration ovens and cook.
• Regeneration of frozen food for patient consumption.
• Take temperatures and keeping accurate records of all fridges and freezers in accordance with the Food Safety Codes of Practice and HACCP system, being responsible for making decisions to act if temperature of food is inadequate.
• Record the temperature of food at all critical control points in line with the HACCP system and Food Safety Codes of Practice
• Maintain hygiene standards in the kitchen, ensuring all equipment and crockery is cleaned after use, complying with Food Safety Codes of Practise.
• Work with colleagues as a team member in order to meet the standard of service required by the Trust.
• To maintain a high standard of personal hygiene in accordance with the Food Hygiene Codes of Practise and current legislation.

About us

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.