Job summary
- Main area
- Catering
- Grade
- Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent: Part time
- Hours
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 279-7726145-FEB26
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St.Richard's Hospital
- Town
- Chichester
- Salary
- £24,465 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 18/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
General Assistant (part time)
Band 2
About our Trust
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.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. 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, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
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.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
The post holder will have previous experience of cleaning to a high standard, take pride in their work and have knowledge of food hygiene principles.
The Catering Department at University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides food and beverages to patients at both our St. Richards and Worthing Sites.
As a whole department we have front of house staff who work at ward level interacting with the patients, as well as the back of house staff who produce, assemble and deliver food to ward level.
You will be working within the kitchen production team which produce and supply ambient, chilled and cook frozen meals to patients at both Worthing and St. Richards Hospitals.
The CPU at St. Richards is the main production kitchen where food is produced, stored and distributed.
As part of this team, you will be supported by chefs, general assistants, stores persons and management to ensure the kitchen is maintained to a high standard at all times.
The staff are hardworking, friendly, work as a team and will support one another.
Should you require Additional Support with completing your Application, please contact the Facilities and Estates Recruitment Team via email below:
Main duties of the job
As a general assistant your role will involve cleaning within a large production kitchen as well as packing and delivering food orders for ward level.
The role requires a level of manual dexterity, ability to push trolleys to and from ward level as well as other manual handling activities.
You will be working in a chilled/ frozen environment, picking and packing foodstuff to order, and delivering to ward level.
The post holder will have knowledge of health and safety within a kitchen environment and be familiar with good food hygiene practices.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
As a general assistant/ kitchen porter you will work under the supervision and guidance of the chefs as well as your team leader.
Main duties include:
- Cleaning
- Packing chilled and frozen foods to order.
- Stock rotation
- Lidding and labelling foods
- Decanting frozen foods such as vegetables.
- Moving meal trolleys to ward level and loading the regeneration oven.
- Preparation of chilled foods.
-- Please see the Job Description & Person Specs --
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of cleaning to a high standard
Desirable criteria
- Experience working in a busy kitchen environment
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Good standard of English literacy and numeracy skills and able to follow instructions both verbally and written
Communication
Essential criteria
- Able to take instruction and direction
- Teamplayer
Desirable criteria
- Customer service
Analytical
Essential criteria
- Able to complete paperwork ie cleaning rota
Planning and Organisational
Essential criteria
- Adaptable, able to be flexible to service needs
- Can work to timescales
Patient 1st
Essential criteria
- Demonstrates Patient First Principles
physical
Essential criteria
- manual handling
- physical tasks eg: long periods of standing
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Natalie Matthews
- Job title
- Food Production Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01243 788122
- Additional information
ext 32095
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