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Job summary

Main area
The primary specialty of a Catering Assistant is to ensure the efficient and hygienic preparation and delivery of meals to patients. This role focuses on maintaining high standards of cleanliness, adhering to dietary guidelines, and supporting the overall well-being of patients through nutritious and appealing meal services. Catering Assistants play a crucial part in creating a positive dining experience and contributing to the health and recovery of patients.
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract
Fixed term: 4 months (30th September 2025)
Hours
Part time - 16 hours per week (Monday 10:00-16:00pm Friday 10:00-16:00pm Saturday 09:00-13:00pm)
Job ref
285-2908-CORP
Employer
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Dorothy Pattison Hospital
Town
Walsall
Salary
£24,169 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust logo

Fixed Term Catering Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 2

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country.

Across the whole of the region we provide:

  • Adult and older adult mental health services
  • Specialist learning disability services
  • Mental health services for children and young people
  • Community healthcare services for children, young people and families in Dudley

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, with the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Combining resources, strategies and talented workforce enables us to deliver a wider variety of outstanding services that are based on best practice and are continually improving.

We currently employ over 4,000 people and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Whatever your role, working in a NHS Foundation Trust, like ours, is a demanding and extremely rewarding experience. Knowing that every day you can help to make a positive difference to someone’s life is a very powerful feeling. We know that our Trust runs on this desire to help and support people, and our Trust vision expresses this. Our vision is to improve health and wellbeing for everyone, especially our colleagues to achieve the best possible work/life balance.

We proudly offer supportive, inclusive and family friendly employment and flexible working policies. We have a wide range of professional services and employee networks to help our colleagues be at their best - and find support if they need it. To find more about our staff benefits, please visit our website: blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk. 

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and ethnic minority candidates are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Black Country Healthcare we recognise and value all forms of knowledge and expertise, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification or criteria in the job description/person specification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

For further supporting information to help you apply for this role please see documents attached under ‘Additional documents’.

Job overview

Monday 10:00-16:00pm

Friday 10:00-16:00pm

Saturday 09:00-13:00pm
Total Hours 16

The role of a Catering Assistant at Black Country Partnership involves working within the Trust Facilities Management structure to ensure the delivery of high-quality and safe catering services to patients, visitors, and staff. The Catering Assistant will report to the Facilities Supervisor - Catering on each site and will be responsible for assisting in the preparation and serving of meals, maintaining hygiene standards, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene regulations and Trust policies. This role is critical in enhancing the patient experience by providing meals that meet their nutritional and social needs, and requires good communication between the ward and kitchen.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of a Catering Assistant at Black Country Healthcare include preparing and serving meals to patients, ensuring that all food is presented in an appealing and hygienic manner. You will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation standards in the kitchen and dining areas, including washing dishes and cleaning equipment. Additionally, you will assist with inventory management, ensuring that supplies are adequately stocked and properly stored. Catering Assistants also support the dietary needs of patients by following specific dietary guidelines and ensuring that meals meet nutritional requirements. Your role is crucial in providing a positive dining experience for patients, contributing to their overall health and well-being.

Working for our organisation

Working for the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and communities. The Trust is dedicated to providing high-quality mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services, ensuring that you are part of a team that truly makes a difference. With a strong commitment to staff wellbeing, professional development, and flexible working arrangements, the Trust supports you in achieving a healthy work-life balance while advancing your career. Additionally, the diverse range of roles available means you can find a position that aligns with your skills and passions, all within a supportive and inclusive environment. Joining the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust means being part of a forward-thinking organization that values its employees and strives to create a positive workplace culture.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a Catering Assistant at Black Country Healthcare, you will play a vital role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality meal services to our patients. Your responsibilities will include preparing and serving meals, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards in the kitchen and dining areas, and assisting with inventory management. You will work closely with the catering team to support the dietary needs of patients, ensuring that meals are nutritious and meet specific dietary requirements. This position is essential in helping us provide excellent care and support to our patients, contributing to their overall well-being and recovery.

Person specification

Food Handling

Essential criteria
  • Basic food hygiene knowledge or qualification
Desirable criteria
  • Basic knowledge of allergens Must have excellent knowledge of Food Hygiene and temperature control

Communication Skills

Essential criteria
  • Achieving effective communication skills is often a result of years of experience in the field, allowing individuals to navigate complex interactions with ease and confidence.
Desirable criteria
  • The ability to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and other stakeholders. This involves being able to convey information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, and being able to listen actively and respond appropriately.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveDisability confident leaderCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Bronze Award

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Reena Ral
Job title
Site Facilities Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07817570264
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