Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Patient Catering Ward Host

The closing date is 24 January 2026

Job summary

Are you a people person with a passion for food who' craving a new challenge? Then we want you to join our friendly and supportive Patient Catering team.

While previous catering experience is preferred it is not as essential as enthusiasm and willingness to learn as you will receive full-training before you start working across the hospital as a representative of the Patient Catering Department.

In this role you will be a part of improving our patients' experience on the ward through preparing and serving high-quality meals and refreshments. You will also be a friendly face on the ward that both patient and staff can interact with, making this a very sociable and rewarding role.

PLEASE NOTE: THE HOURS FOR THIS VACANCY ARE EITHER

DAYS 07-3PM

AFTERNOONS 3PM TO 8PM

EVENINGS 4.30PM - 8.00PM

Main duties of the job

You'll be working alongside care teams to provide appropriate nutrition and hydration to all our patients as part of their all-round care plans. You'll be given the tools to assist and answer questions about the food and drink products you're providing.

You will be a key member of the Estates and Facilities Directorate and will help us to achieve our ambition of providing high quality services and facilities to support the delivery of care at the Trust.

You will gain experience of working within a patient focused environment whilst maintaining effective professional working relationships with internal and external colleagues.

About us

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.

We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress.

Details

Date posted

20 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year Per Annum Pro Rata for Part Time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

390-BR-EFM-0883

Job locations

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Job description

Job responsibilities

For full role information please see the attached Job Description

We look forward to your application!

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full role information please see the attached Job Description

We look forward to your application!

Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Good Level of general education
  • Reasonable level of numeracy and literacy in English

Disirable Criteria

Essential

  • Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Good organisation skills
  • Ability to work effectively alone and as part of a team

Knowlege & Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of the principles of effective food hygiene
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety, COSHH, Moving and Handling Experience
Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Good Level of general education
  • Reasonable level of numeracy and literacy in English

Disirable Criteria

Essential

  • Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Good organisation skills
  • Ability to work effectively alone and as part of a team

Knowlege & Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of the principles of effective food hygiene
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety, COSHH, Moving and Handling Experience

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 details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Catering Manager

Debby Munn

debby.munn@nhs.net

03004438741

Details

Date posted

20 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year Per Annum Pro Rata for Part Time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

390-BR-EFM-0883

Job locations

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)