QE Facilities

Catering assistant

The closing date is 17 November 2025

Job summary

Job Overview:

The Catering Assistant plays a vital role in supporting the day-to-day running of the NHS hospital kitchen. They assist with basic food preparation, serve meals, and maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene to ensure patients receive safe, nutritious, and well-presented food.

Main duties of the job

Key Duties:

  • Assist with preparation and plating of meals for patients, staff, and visitors.

  • Serve food and beverages on wards or in the kitchen area.

  • Wash up and clean kitchen equipment, utensils, and work areas.

  • Maintain food hygiene and health & safety standards.

  • Follow dietary and allergen guidance set by the NHS.

  • Support stock control and storage of food items.

About us

QE Facilities (QEF) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHNT), based in the North East of England.

We provide a range of non- clinical services to GHNT and other NHS organisations. Our services include: estates, facilities services, procurement, medical engineering and devices, endoscopy decontamination and sterile services, transport, out-patient pharmacy, and prevention & management of violence & aggression training (PMVA).

In addition we provide consultancy services, advising clients on all aspects of establishing a subsidiary company within an NHS body to the provision of VAT compliance advice.

QE Facilities work to their own Terms and Conditions and these are not the same as Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Terms and Conditions. This is not an Agenda for Change Pay Rate.

We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement.

Details

Date posted

03 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£24,465 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

297-QEF-7559167

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Old durham road, Gateshead

Old Durham road

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential Skills:

  • Basic food preparation skills.

  • Understanding of food hygiene and safety practices.

  • Teamwork and communication.

  • Ability to follow instructions and work in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable:
  • Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2).

  • Previous experience in a catering or healthcare environment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential Skills:

  • Basic food preparation skills.

  • Understanding of food hygiene and safety practices.

  • Teamwork and communication.

  • Ability to follow instructions and work in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable:
  • Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2).

  • Previous experience in a catering or healthcare environment.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Skills:

Essential

  • Patient and client interactions which portray a professional, supportive and caring service.
  • Ability to work as team or independently .
  • Constructive team working and participation including multi-disciplinary team relationships.
  • Personal organisation and time management.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the application of all regulatory and legislative requirements required to ensure a Healthy & Safe environment including: Hazzard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP); Safe Working; COSHH; Detailed Food Safety and Handling; Patient and Customer Care.
  • Cleaning procedures and protocols.
  • Food allergens knowledge to ensure customer safety.
  • Knowledge of food quality and service.
  • Cleaning chemicals application and storage.
  • Service standards within designated areas.

Experience

Desirable

  • Experience working in a large scale catering organisation.

Qualifications

Desirable

  • Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
  • Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Person Specification

Knowledge & Skills:

Essential

  • Patient and client interactions which portray a professional, supportive and caring service.
  • Ability to work as team or independently .
  • Constructive team working and participation including multi-disciplinary team relationships.
  • Personal organisation and time management.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the application of all regulatory and legislative requirements required to ensure a Healthy & Safe environment including: Hazzard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP); Safe Working; COSHH; Detailed Food Safety and Handling; Patient and Customer Care.
  • Cleaning procedures and protocols.
  • Food allergens knowledge to ensure customer safety.
  • Knowledge of food quality and service.
  • Cleaning chemicals application and storage.
  • Service standards within designated areas.

Experience

Desirable

  • Experience working in a large scale catering organisation.

Qualifications

Desirable

  • Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
  • Basic numeracy and literacy skills.

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

QE Facilities

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Old durham road, Gateshead

Old Durham road

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

https://www.qefacilities.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

QE Facilities

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Old durham road, Gateshead

Old Durham road

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

https://www.qefacilities.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of facilities

jason riddell

jason.riddell@nhs.net

01914452051

Details

Date posted

03 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£24,465 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

297-QEF-7559167

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Old durham road, Gateshead

Old Durham road

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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