Job summary
- Main area
- Catering
- Grade
- Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 36 hours per week
- Job ref
- 153-CO05600
- Employer
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Stour Building, Catering Department
- Town
- Bournemouth
- Salary
- £24,465 pa pr
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 18/02/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 05/03/2026
Employer heading
Patient Catering Assistant - Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Band 2
As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.
We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.
We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.
We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.
At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.
As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.
Job overview
University Hospitals Dorset is seeking a friendly, hardworking and reliable individual to join our Catering Team, supporting the delivery of a high-quality catering service across our busy restaurants, coffee bars and ward services.
You will play an important role in supporting patients, staff and visitors by helping to deliver an efficient, welcoming service while maintaining high standards of cleanliness, food safety and customer care. The role contributes to the smooth and efficient running of the Catering Department and supports services that are essential to patient care.
We are looking to recruit two individuals on 36-hour contracts.
Base Location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Interview Date: 5th March 2026
Main duties of the job
-
Assist in the smooth running of the Catering Department by maintaining high standards of cleanliness throughout all catering areas
-
Support basic food preparation and work on the patient meal production line
-
Load and deliver food trolleys to wards in line with daily schedules and instructions from Catering Supervisors
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Serve food and beverages and provide a courteous, efficient service to customers where required
-
Sort, stack and wash crockery and cutlery using dishwashing equipment in accordance with cleaning schedules
-
Replenish stock and maintain service and work areas
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Work flexibly across different areas of the Catering Department, undertaking duties appropriate to the role
-
Comply with corporate and local policies and procedures at all times
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Treat colleagues, patients and visitors with dignity and respect
Working for our organisation
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.
UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.
Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and conditions.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For detailed job description and main responsibilities please see the attachment with will have job description and persons specification.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Basic understanding of customer service.
Desirable criteria
- Prior Experience in food handling
- Prior Work Experience within Catering Industry
Qualification
Essential criteria
- Good standard of Education (GCSE’s Grade D or above)
Desirable criteria
- Basic Food Hygiene
- H & Safety
- Aware of relevant trg upgrades E.G. Allergen info.
- Any previous Food related qualifications
Other
Essential criteria
- Good standard of Numeracy and Literacy
- Good general understanding of food safety regulations
- Able to work as part of a team and mix with other members of staff
- Openness to change and ability to respond to this to improve performance
Desirable criteria
- Able to work on own initiative
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Vikram Paunikar
- Job title
- Central Production Kitchen Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0300 019 4016
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