Catering Assistant

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

Part time positions available.

As part of an effective team, you will be responsible for efficiently assisting in all food service areas/retail outlets as directed by your Team Leader /Line Manager and operating within established food hygiene and safety practices, methods and procedures and within the principles of a flexible team approach.

Main duties of the job

Service areas include all kitchen and dish wash sections, hospitality and retail sections including functions, restaurants , Hospital shop, vending, and any other related areas including Ellesmere Port Hospital.

You will provide an excellent customer service to patients, staff and all visitors to the Trust remaining professional, polite and helpful at all times.

Duties include the cleaning of premises and equipment, food preparation and packaging, food service, vending and ward trolley service.

The role will include undertaking duties in a chilled and/or frozen working and storage environment, as appropriate.

You will take part in the preparation of raw food materials as part of the process to make our patients nutritional meals throughout their healthcare pathway during their time at CoCH. In addition, you will take part in meal(s) preparation for our staff and Trust visitors throughout the seven day week.

You will help maintain a clean and hygienic food prep & meal cooking environment in line with the National Standards of Cleanliness. You will establish and maintain good working relationships across your wider catering team; specifically, clear line of communication with Supervisors, Ward Teams, Departmental staff and Visitors.

Working for our organisation

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000. This includes 357,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.

The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £27.50 (standard) or £55.50 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Numeracy and literacy skills, a basic standard of education.
• Training to NVQ level 1 / 2.
• Basic Food Hygiene Level 1 Certificate.
• Food Safety Level 2 Certificate.

Knowledge and Experience

• Enjoys working as part of a team.
• Good knowledge of food safety & health & safety standards & a willingness to undertake additional training to maintain currency.
• Previous catering/meal prep experience

• Has worked in a healthcare environment in the same capacity
• Knowledge of COSHH
• Knowledge of (HACCP)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

Overseas Candidates

The Department of Health and Social Care has released a new publication to support overseas candidates looking to work in health and care in the UK.

The new guidance provides information on the recruitment process that candidates should expect when applying for work in the UK. Please follow the below link: Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Overseas candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a CoS for the post by assessing their circumstances against criteria specified on the Visas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.