Catering Assistant (Picking and Packing)

Catering Assistant (Picking and Packing)

The closing date is 23 July 2026

An opportunity has arisen at the QA Hospital in Portsmouth for a Catering Assistant (Picking and Packing) working Saturday and Sunday 13:00-17:00 - 8 hours. We are currently looking for an enthusiastic, friendly person to join the Catering Team as a Catering Assistant to work in the main kitchen area of the Catering Department.

The post will involve working in a chilled environment, picking and packing of patient food and various catering and cleaning duties.

Applicants will need to be able to work in a team or alone as required, have sound communication, a friendly and calm disposition at all times and be able to organise the issuing of patient food to the housekeeping staff.

The post is monthly paid with a uniform and full training provided, other benefits include a generous allocation of annual leave entitlement and the opportunity to join the NHS Pension scheme.

The Trust is committed to valuing the benefits of diversity in its staff and committed to equal opportunities.

Main duties of the job

• Pick and pack patient food into delivery trolleys
• Receive patient food deliveries and decant onto shelving
• Work in a chilled cold room
• Basic food preparation
• Cleaning equipment and work areas
• Dealing with housekeepers at food collection time including checking food issued corresponds with food ordered
• Issuing replacement patient food under supervision of the chef
• Once trained to work in other areas of the Catering Department as required

About us

Equans working in partnership with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff. Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Job responsibilities

1. Responsible for providing a high quality catering service in line with local operational procedures and work schedules.

2. Communicate information relating to food service to users both verbally and by telephone.

3. Notify management and administration on any discrepancies from receipt to distribution of catering supplies.

4. Organise own day to day work tasks or activities.

5. Report details of faults and failures of equipment or building fabric to management.

6. Responsible for accepting food in line with department working instructions and using own initiative while complying with all food safety guidelines.

7. Temperature recording of chilled and frozen food.

8. Lifting and storing of provisions.

9. Carry out mop washing duties.

10. Work in a chilled area to allocate patient food following the correct picking and packing process and adhering to food safety guidelines.

11. Responsible for the allocation of patient food to housekeepers supporting them in making sure they have enough food to complete the meal service.

12. Assist in the training of new or relief staff.

13. Manually and/or mechanically wash up of utensils.

14. Ad hoc basic food preparation as required.

15. Serve food while maintaining good portion control and presentation.

16. Ensure that the correct cleaning products are used within the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, alongside the use of personal protective equipment such as safety goggles, gloves and aprons.

17. Report accidents, near misses or non conformities to team leader or manager.

18. Responsible for ensuring the safe disposal/packaging of waste as per NHS policy for example household waste.

19. Complete all cleaning schedules and any other relevant paperwork accurately within given timelines where applicable.

20. Undertake audits as necessary.

21. Responsible for the environmental cleaning of floors, work surfaces, dismantling and reassembling of equipment ready for next shift following department procedures.

22. Responsible for maintaining high standards of cleanliness including personal hygiene.

23. Ensure HACCP guidelines are followed.

24. When necessary carry out relief cover for break times, annual leave and sickness.

25. Work together with Department in Performance and Development Reviews.

26. Maintain confidentiality at all times.

27. Work together with Policies and Procedures of NHS Portsmouth and the Department.

28. Demonstrate courteous behaviour.

29. Workforce management responsible for swiping/logging in at the start and finish of the shift.

30. It is possible that on occasion the postholder may be asked to work in other areas of the facilities service. This is not expected to be on a frequent or regular basis and would only take place after appropriate training and support was given.

Person Specification Qualifications

• No necessary qualifications.
• Would like catering experience but not essential.

Experience

• Experience in working in catering.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Equans Working with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust