Food Service Assistant

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

This job is now closed

Job summary

28 hours weekly contract

Pattern: 7am - 2.30 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

An exciting opportunity has arisen to joint the Patient Catering Team at Worthing Hospital as a Food Service Assistant.

2019 saw the introduction of a team of specially trained catering staff dedicated to patient nutrition and hydration as well as cleaning duties to a high Infection control and food safety standard.

Successful applicants should have some previous experience within both the food service and customer service industry although full training will be given.

Previous experience within a healthcare setting would be beneficial.

Duties include but are not exclusive to hot and cold meal and beverage service, meal ordering via electronic system (IPad) general kitchen cleaning duties, Cleaning of patient bedside tables and lockers and washing up.

This is a manual role and applicants will be required to spend the duration of their shift on their feet, pushing, pulling, bending and lifting.

Applicants will be required to under go full training in Food safety, Infection control, COSHH and Special diets. They are also required to operate food service equipment including regeneration trolley, beverage trolley and IPads.

Excellent customer service and communication skills are essential.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the ward team, under the direction and supervision of the Catering Department, providing a high standard in food and beverage service to patients. Undertake preparation, reheating and presentation of patient meals and beverages, whilst adhering to all hygiene and HACCP/ Health and Safety legislation. To ensure cleaning is of a high standard in ward pantry and associated areas in line with Trust cleaning regulations.

The post holder will work as part of a team of catering staff responsible for the effective day to day delivery of food & beverage services across multi sites. The services provide in excess of 20,000 meals per week to almost 1000 hospital beds and various departments within the Trust. Based at ward level, the post holder is required to provide a range of hot and cold meals, snacks and beverages to a maximum of 30 Patients over the course of the day.

About us

Join us at UHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better never stops.At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Improving lives: We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put our Patient First. Our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and no matter the role at UHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Build a career with us: As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

Date posted

06 February 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£22,383 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

279-5950672-JAN24

Job locations

Worthing

Lyndhurst Road

Worthing

BN11 2DH

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communication

Maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangements with ward staff, own team and other hospital departments.
Communicate effectively with patients and their relatives to ensure their food and beverage requirements are met.
To communicate in a courteous, co-operative and sympathetic manner with due regard for privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.
To read and understand written and verbal instructions, and complete HACCP records accurately.
Take instruction and direction from catering team leaders and senior staff on the ward.
Ensure daily orders are communicated in a timely manner, to enable the Catering Department to prepare and deliver food items on time.
Use appropriate communication skills to respond to any aggressive and abusive behaviour and report the situation as soon as possible to the nurse in charge.
Report any concerns regarding the patients nutritional or fluid intake to the nurse in charge.
Assist nursing staff in updating the nutritional board in the ward area.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Understand basic HACCP principles and food hygiene policies and procedures, and act upon straightforward day to day issues.
Report any Health and Safety, and/or Food Safety issues to the Team leader in good time, including any equipment failures or defects.
Recognise when advice should be sought from the team leader, and be able to escalate problems and concerns.

Please see Job description and person specs for full details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communication

Maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangements with ward staff, own team and other hospital departments.
Communicate effectively with patients and their relatives to ensure their food and beverage requirements are met.
To communicate in a courteous, co-operative and sympathetic manner with due regard for privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.
To read and understand written and verbal instructions, and complete HACCP records accurately.
Take instruction and direction from catering team leaders and senior staff on the ward.
Ensure daily orders are communicated in a timely manner, to enable the Catering Department to prepare and deliver food items on time.
Use appropriate communication skills to respond to any aggressive and abusive behaviour and report the situation as soon as possible to the nurse in charge.
Report any concerns regarding the patients nutritional or fluid intake to the nurse in charge.
Assist nursing staff in updating the nutritional board in the ward area.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Understand basic HACCP principles and food hygiene policies and procedures, and act upon straightforward day to day issues.
Report any Health and Safety, and/or Food Safety issues to the Team leader in good time, including any equipment failures or defects.
Recognise when advice should be sought from the team leader, and be able to escalate problems and concerns.

Please see Job description and person specs for full details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 2 in Hospitality/Customer Services or previous experience in a care environment

Desirable

L2 Food Safety Award or relevant Food Hygiene experience
COSHH training
Food Allergen Awareness training
Previous experience in completing HACCP/food safety documentation

Experience

Essential

Previous experience of working in a busy catering environment or healthcare setting

Skills

Essential

Good standard of English literacy and numeracy skills and ability to follow instructions both verbally and written

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 2 in Hospitality/Customer Services or previous experience in a care environment

Desirable

L2 Food Safety Award or relevant Food Hygiene experience
COSHH training
Food Allergen Awareness training
Previous experience in completing HACCP/food safety documentation

Experience

Essential

Previous experience of working in a busy catering environment or healthcare setting

Skills

Essential

Good standard of English literacy and numeracy skills and ability to follow instructions both verbally and written

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.