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Job summary

Main area
Catering Assistant
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract
Permanent: 16:15-19:45 3.5 hrs nightly
Hours
Part time - 17.5 hours per week (16:15-19:45 rotational roster)
Employer
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital
Town
Blackburn
Salary
£24,465 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust logo

Catering Assistant- RBTH

NHS AfC: Band 2

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care.  We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

One LSC is a new collaborative partnership shared service formed by the five NHS Trusts serving the Lancashire and South Cumbria population of 1.8 million people.  We are a shared service run by the NHS, for the NHS and are hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust on behalf of the partner Trusts of the Lancashire and South Cumbria system.

One LSC stands for ‘One Lancashire and South Cumbria’ and reflects the Lancashire and South Cumbria System ambition to have one team serving Lancashire and South Cumbria in a joined-up way.  It is jointly run by the five Trusts as a collaborative partnership.

The Trusts that make up One LSC are:

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

·       East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

·       Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

·       Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

·       University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

One LSC brings together the Digital, Data and Technology, Estates and Facilities, Finance, People Services and Procurement and Logistics services from each of the provider Trusts to create one central community of professionals. Under one leadership team, they will provide services for and on behalf of all Trusts.  

The aim is to bring services more closely together so that we can deliver the best service possible to each of our partner organisations.  At the core of One LSC delivery is eliminating duplication, removing unwarranted variation, realisation of the benefits of sharing common systems and processes and ensuring we deliver value for money for our partners, our system and, ultimately, for the communities we serve. 

Job overview

As a Catering Assistant with East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, you will be at the heart of our Service ensuring the provision of high-quality catering giving you a great opportunity to really make a difference.

Hours are 17.5 from 16:15-19:45 nightly part time hours a week, working on a rota, to include weekends (All weekends and Bank Holidays receive enhanced payments)

We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.

Main duties of the job

MAIN DUTIES

The cleaning of premises and equipment to correct standards of cleanliness and frequencies laid down in the cleaning schedules and departmental hygiene policies

Operating and cleaning automatic industrial dishwashers

Preparation and cooking of simple food items i.e. salads, sandwiches, breakfasts, preparing buffets for functions and simple diet preparation in accordance with department standardised recipes.

Plating and service of meals and beverages to patients and staff

Temperature probing of meals and the recording of temperatures in accordance with department policies

The issuing of certain food items to the wards with the subsequent correct storage, rotation and maintenance of min/max stock levels

As directed fill, clean and look after any ward beverage trolleys. Fridges and Restaurant vending machines

Handle cash, check floats and secure takings in accordance with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions

Completion of any appropriate documentation as directed.

Frequent safer handling of heavy pieces of equipment of food items within the catering department may be necessary

Preparation of cutlery and other items in readiness for patient meal service

Duties will include lifting, carrying, bending twisting, pushing and pulling.

To complete training and utilize skills in all aspects of the job role as directed

 

 

Working for our organisation

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care.  We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 8,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

The Trust is committed to creating a well managed, flexible working environment that supports staff and promotes their welfare and development. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We operate Zero Tolerance to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure our recruitment and selection process is accessible to all. Flexible Working applications will be considered. The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy.

 

Please note, although this role is being advertised by East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, it will transfer to OneLSC a Corporate Collaboration hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals Trust on 1.11.24. There are no plans to change the location of the role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • The cleaning of premises and equipment to correct standards of cleanliness and frequencies laid down in the cleaning schedules and departmental hygiene policiy
  • Operating and cleaning automatic industrial dishwashers
  • Preparation and cooking of simple food items i.e. salads, sandwiches, breakfasts, preparing buffets for functions and simple diet preparation in accordance with department standardised recipes.
  • Plating and service of meals and beverages to patients and staff
  • Temperature probing of meals and the recording of temperatures in accordance with department policies
  • The issuing of certain food items to the wards with the subsequent correct storage, rotation and maintenance of min/max stock levels
  • As directed fill, clean and look after any ward beverage trolleys. Fridges and Restaurant vending machines
  • Handle cash, check floats and secure takings in accordance with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions
  • Completion of any appropriate documentation as directed.
  • Frequent safer handling of heavy pieces of equipment of food items within the catering department may be necessary
  • Preparation of cutlery and other items in readiness for patient meal service
  • Duties will include lifting, carrying, bending twisting, pushing and pulling.
  • Collection of patient information, menus, dietary requirements using both paper and electronic methods
  • To complete training and utilize skills in all aspects of the job role as directed

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Ability to use own initiative and work without close supervision and also to work as part of a team
  • Experience of cleaning in a food environment or similar environment.
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience of working in a hospital or hospitality environment.
  • Experience of using industrial catering equipment.

Other skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to keep information confidential.

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE English and Math’s, grade C or above or grade 9-4 or equivalent qualification in English and Math’s
  • Possess or willing to complete Foundation Food Hygiene Qualification or equivalent
  • Possess or be willing to complete NVQ Level 2 Hospitality/Customer Care or equivalent

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardPositive about disabled peopleInvestors in PeopleCare quality commission - GoodDisability confident committedStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Robin Whittam
Job title
Senior Catering Supervisor
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01254 733652
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