Food Services Assistant

Food Services Assistant

The closing date is 14 June 2026

We require proactive and hardworking staff to work as part of a team within Catering Services. The role involves being an integrated part of the ward team providing food and beverage services to patients and maintaining the highest standard of cleaning to food preparation areas at ward level, ensuring at all times the highest degree of cleanliness, safety and care.

Main duties of the job

In addition to the summary below, you need to familiarise yourself with the full Job Description and Person Specification documents attached to this advert.

Food service experience is desirable; full training will be given. Responsibilities will include food and beverage services to patients at ward level and daily cleaning tasks such as hard floors, equipment such as dishwashers, fixtures and fittings. Replenishment of disposable commodities, e.g., soap, gel and hand towels as required, and the removal of waste from ward kitchens to designated collection points.

Job responsibilities CATERING Service Duties

• Inform patients about the hospital's food offer and the procedure for any ad-hoc requests and help them to make an informed choice from the range of foods and beverages.
• Order food using the hospital's electronic ordering devices.
• Liaise with nurses, caterers and dieticians to ensure patients' food, nutrition/clinical needs and preferences are identified and met.
• Identify patients not eating sufficiently to the Nurse in Charge.
• Ensure appropriate feedback is given on the patient's food service experience e.g. quality, quantity and choice.
• Provide information to the next food service assistant who is on duty using the guidelines provided to ensure a seamless service.
• Store food in accordance with manufactured guidelines and food safety legislation.
• Offer patients a choice of hot & cold beverages, as and when required a minimum of 5 times a day.
• Ensure a regular supply of fresh water is provided to each patient throughout the day.
• Serve the patients their choice and portion size of main dish, vegetables and accompaniments in an appealing and appetising way. Offer second portions if required.
• Ensure patients with special dietary requirements receive the appropriate food following liaison with the dietician or nurse.
• Identify appropriate meal choices to meet patients needs/preferences.
• Movement of food to wards/RDU as required adhering to food safety legislation.
• Maintain adequate stock levels to meet the needs of the patient e.g. milk, bread, tea, coffee, cereal, and preserves.
• Identify shortages of crockery and cutlery to the Facilities Team Leader.
• Ensure an appropriate supply of crockery and cutlery is available.
• Ensure efficient and safe use of cleaning equipment.
• Prepare the patient's eating environment (day room/bedside table) to the standards stipulated in the ward manual according to where the patient wishes to eat, to ensure a relaxed environment.
• Clear cutlery/crockery and clean dayroom/bedside table following service promptly.
• Clean all surfaces and equipment in the kitchen according to the daily cleaning schedule.
• Carry out daily and weekly cleaning tasks as directed through the cleaning schedules and complete the required paperwork.

Person Specification Training & Qualifications

• Knowledge of cleaning/hygiene COSHH procedures.
• Ability to undertake NVQ level 2 in food service.
• Knowledge or ability to understand working practices for providing a patient food service.

Experience

• Previous experience of working in a customer/patient focused environment.
• Principles and criterion of Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP), COSHH.

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.

Benefits

A subsidised staff restaurant is available on site and is open 7am 11pm 7 days a week.

Annual leave starts at 27 days a year plus bank holidays. There are also a number of staff discounts via the NHS Discounts website.

Equal Opportunities

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts