Catering Assistant

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join , with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations.

Whatever you're looking for in your career, you'll find it here at MWL.

Main area None Grade NHS AfC: Band 2 Contract Permanent: 26.5 Hours / 20 Hours 5/7 weekends and bank holidays if service requires working between hours of 7.00am - 8.00pm Hours

• Part time
• Flexible working

26.5 hours per week (If Service requires, Bank Holidays, Weekends, cross site working) Job ref 991-D

Site Southport Hospital Town Merseyside Salary £25,272 Per Annum, Pro Rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/07/:59 Interview date 16/07/2026

Job overview

The ideal candidate will have a "can do attitude" flexible and will be a team player who has experience working in a busy kitchen environment.

The ideal candidate should have good customer care skills and experience of working in a kitchen/coffee shop/restaurant.

Hours of work 5/7 working between shifts of 7.00am - 8.00pm for service needs the service needs if required working weekends and Bank Holidays.

Food Safety level 2 certificate a advantage.

• 1 x 26.5 hour position
• 1 x 20 hour position

Main duties of the job

• To provide a customer focused service
• To organise, deliver, develop and improve the catering service throughout the Trust
• Ensure efficient management of all catering services
• Ensure compliance with all legislation relating to risk management and security
• Ensure compliance with all legislation relating to food safety management
• Basic preparation of food items, service to patient and other meals and functions
• Assist with cooking and regeneration of food as appropriate
• Cleaning of structures, equipment and meal service components as specialised in work instructions
• Store keeping including, checking deliveries, storage and stock rotation
• At times to operate without the direct guidance of a team leader
• Ensure a secure working environment for patients, visitors and staff
• Promote and maintain point of sale, e.g. counter and vending machines
• Undertake all aspects of the Cash handling process
• Maintain all operational procedures
• Enforce compliance with Waste Management Policy to meet the changing requirements as segregation requirements increase
• Compliance with Hygiene and Food Safety Legislation
• Ensure compliance with Facilities Management standards
• Ensure compliance with HACCP
• Ensure effective delivery of services to service users and customers
• Maintain and improve all aspects of the service
• Participate in staff involvement groups for all aspects of the Trust Quality Strategy 2012/15
• Observe legal requirements
• Responsible for the safe use of all equipment
• Ensure compliance and operational observance of safe working practices as detailed in all aspects of risk management
• Ensure all appropriate hygiene monitoring is carried out and recorded for every process
• Ensure compliance with national standards of cleanliness
• Attend training courses as required and participate in annual refresher sessions in accordance with own Personal Development Review
• Provide guidance and a knowledge base for new and existing staff
• Ensure economical use of all Trust resources
• Maintain and monitor stock levels to meet the demands of the service
• Distribute and maintain economical and effective use of chemicals and products
• Monitor and record food wastage

Person specification Qualifications

• Food Safety Level 2
• Basic Numeracy
• Basic Computer Skills
• ECDL or equivalent
• HACCP Training

Knowledge and Experience

• NHS experience

Skills

• Customer Care Skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Provision of a patient/customer focussed service
• Principles of Risk Management
• Communication
• Ability to instruct other less qualified staff or students
• Cash handling abilities/use of cash registers

Other

• Physically demanding role
• Pushing and pulling trolleys/cages
• Varied deadlines and adhoc pressures
• Dealing with staff/customer issues
• Exposure to temperature variations
• Professional and hygiene awareness/appearance
• Varied shifts

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective, and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under represented groups.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

Flexible Working

We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:

• All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
• There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
• Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.

At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.