University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Retail Food Services Assistant

The closing date is 29 October 2025

Job summary

The Retail Food Service Assistant will be responsible for the provision of an efficient, safe and hygienic food service from Retail Catering Outlets operating within established food hygiene, safety practices, methods and procedures. This will include food preparation, cooking and serving of meals and dishes from the Restaurant counter to customers, using EPOS till system and following cashing up procedure

The post holder will be responsible for the safe and hygienic cleaning of front and back of house areas and all associated equipment.

The Retail Food Service Assistant must be receptive to individual customers service needs and assist them with using drinks machines and helping them get seated if needed.

The role will also include undertaking duties to provide a portering and cleaning service to the Retail department and to assist in the transportation of food stored in a chilled or frozen working and storage environment in the catering department to the Restaurant

To generally assist when required with other comparable tasks including Stock take, Saffron and the general stores as directed by their Assistant Duty Manager/Duty Manager

The post holder will need to be fully aware of the Trust's Values and Behaviours and Patient First initiatives and act accordingly.

Main duties of the job

To provide a high level of Customer Service to Patients, Staff and Visitors.

To clean allocated pieces of Heavy Catering Equipment using instructions and Cleaning Materials.

To dispose of Waste Materials from Catering Areas to designated collection points.

To Operate Industrial Dishwashers in all Cleaning Areas.

To Operate Mechanical Floor scrubbing and steam cleaning equipment.

To transport provisions, equipment and other cleaning related items as required.

See full Job Description for more details

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

15 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

279-7420057-OCT25

Job locations

Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Job description

Job responsibilities

See Job Description and Personal Specification Attached

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.

Job description

Job responsibilities

See Job Description and Personal Specification Attached

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.

Person Specification

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

Good knowledge of Literacy and Numeracy
Willing to undertake Training as required i.e COSHH, Infection Control, Health and Safety, Manual Handling.
Willing to undertake specialist training commensurate to your Role
Experience working in a Team

Desirable

Knowledge of Cleaning Methods and Equipment use
Previous experience in Retail Catering and / or catering services in a Hospital or Health care related environment
Knowledge of Food Hygiene practices and food presentation.
Understanding of COSHH.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Person Specification

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

Good knowledge of Literacy and Numeracy
Willing to undertake Training as required i.e COSHH, Infection Control, Health and Safety, Manual Handling.
Willing to undertake specialist training commensurate to your Role
Experience working in a Team

Desirable

Knowledge of Cleaning Methods and Equipment use
Previous experience in Retail Catering and / or catering services in a Hospital or Health care related environment
Knowledge of Food Hygiene practices and food presentation.
Understanding of COSHH.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath

RH16 4EX

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)