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Job summary

Main area
Food Service Assistant
Grade
Band 2
Contract
Permanent: Monday-Friday
Hours
Part time - 15 hours per week (16:00-19:00 or 17:00-20:00)
Job ref
349-SDX-7893027*
Employer
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Manchester University Fountation Trust, Oxford Road
Town
Manchester
Salary
£24,465 per annum (pro rata)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
09/04/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Food Service Assistant

Band 2

Job overview

You will be required to work as a key member of the Ward Team to develop and maintain the patient environment. To provide a high quality helpful, courteous beverage and meal service, to meet the needs of patients. In addition carrying out cleaning and related duties as required in order to assist in the delivery of the hotel services.

Customer Care & Communication

To work as part of a team and communicate in a polite and positive manner with colleagues, Trust staff, patients and members of the public.

To deal initially with any customer complaints.

To demonstrate commitment to the department and the Trust.

To give guidance to new members of staff with regard to department/ward layout and daily routine

Catering

To assist in the preparation of all patient food services. To ensure that all food is prepared in a safe and hygienic manner at all times.

 

Main duties of the job

Collect, wash, refill and distribute patient water jugs and glasses.

To assist with the production of all meals necessary for the provision of patient service

The regeneration of food in accordance with Food Hygiene Codes of Practice

To plate and assemble patient meals accurately on tray for presentation to the patient

Check temperature of foods and record prior to service to patients.

Ensure that any patient requiring a special diet is catered for.

Monitor and report wastage levels of patient meals

The preparation and service of hot and cold beverages at designated times throughout the day.

Prepare and serve a range of snack to patients between meals or on an ad-hoc basis as instructed by nursing staff.

The collection of cutlery and crockery following the patient meal

The washing up of all crockery and cutlery items and storage of such items at ward level.

Adherence to all legislation and policies relating to patient meal service.

Maintain ward kitchens and equipment in a clean and hygienic manner.

Ensure that ward issues are maintained to the agreed level.

Ensure stock control and rotation procedures are maintained.

Conduct meal service by attractive presentation adhering to any specific request

Cleaning

To deliver a full cleaning service towards within the hospital in accordance with Work Schedules and activity within the area, using own initiative to plan workload.

Working for our organisation

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester is the largest health academic campus in Europe, a great place to start or grow your career. With 10 hospitals and a wide range of community services, we care for over 1 million people every year, and our team of over 30,000 people is at the heart of everything we do. 
You’ll be working alongside colleagues from all backgrounds, supporting people from every walk of life, and learning something new every day. We believe that everyone should feel welcome, respected, and valued at work. You can bring your whole self to MFT, knowing that your unique perspective and experiences are celebrated here.
You’ll find that we’re committed to helping you grow - whether you want to develop new skills, progress in your career, or simply make a difference in your community. We offer equal opportunities for everyone, and we’ll support you with training, development, and a caring environment where your health, wellbeing, and safety matter.
Most importantly, you’ll be part of a team where working together and supporting each other is everything. You’ll make new friends, build strong relationships, and have a real voice in shaping the future of our Trust.
At MFT we’re All Here For You - every step of the way.  Join us today.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.   

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place.  This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are — what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others.  You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

 To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Supporting Documents’ section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application 

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU—for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

 

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Ability to understand and carry out instructions.
  • Ability to listen and have good communication skills.
  • To act on own initiative & adapt quickly to change.
  • To work under pressure in a busy environment.
  • To maintain professionalism and demonstrate care and compassion with patients and other service users.
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding of Health & Safety.
  • Understanding of Customer Care.
  • Understanding of Food Hygiene.
  • Basic Food Hygiene Level 2
  • Awareness of HACCP
  • Experience of working in a Catering Department.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep 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
Selina Rose
Job title
Service Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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