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University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Food Service Assistant

The closing date is 30 April 2026

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Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to joint the catering Team at St Richards hospital.

We are looking for a self motivated individual to join our team as a Food service assistant on our busy wards at St Richards Hospital working on a specialist unit .

We have one 33-hour-per-week position available, Monday to Sunday.

  • APPLICANTS WHO HAVE APPLIED WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS NEED NOT APPLY
  • POST ONLY AVAILABLE AT ST. RICHARDS HOSPITAL (CHICHESTER)

Should you require Additional Support with completing your Application, Please contact the Facilities and Estates Recruitment Team via email below:

uhsussex.FandErecruitment@nhs.net

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Main duties of the job

Applicants should have experience working with elderly people and have both knowledge and understanding to enable them to support their catering requirements, therefore it is essential that applicants have previous work experience in a hospital or care environment and are able to evidence their experience at the time of the interview, able to demonstrate a good understanding of this customer group and their needs, demonstrate and evidence a caring, patient attitude in line with our Trust values.

The role involves interacting directly with patients to take meal orders, serving hot and cold meals and serve beverages therefore excellent communication skills are essential.

Food service assistants are responsible for keeping their environment clean to a high standard, completing HACCP documentation and a basic understanding of COSHH and food safety is essential.

Food service assistants are required to use a range of equipment such as Ipads, Regen hot meal trolleys and beverage carts and whilst full training will be given to operate safely, applicants should be aware that the duration of their shift will be on their feet, pushing, pulling, bending and lifting while sometimes working in warm environments.

  • PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY
  • POST ONLY AVAILABLE AT ST. RICHARDS HOSPITAL (CHICHESTER)

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Details

Date posted

16 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,272 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7921611-APR26

Job locations

St Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Road

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

  • PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY.
  • POST ONLY AVAILABLE AT ST. RICHARDS HOSPITAL (CHICHESTER)

Maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangements with ward staff, own team and other hospital departments.Communicate effectively with patients and their relatives to ensure their food and beverage requirements are met.To communicate in a courteous, co-operative and sympathetic manner with due regard for privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.To read and understand written and verbal instructions, and complete HACCP records accurately.Take instruction and direction from catering team leaders and senior staff on the ward.Ensure daily orders are communicated in a timely manner, to enable the Catering Department to prepare and deliver food items on time.

Please see JD and PS for full details

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

  • PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY.
  • POST ONLY AVAILABLE AT ST. RICHARDS HOSPITAL (CHICHESTER)

Maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangements with ward staff, own team and other hospital departments.Communicate effectively with patients and their relatives to ensure their food and beverage requirements are met.To communicate in a courteous, co-operative and sympathetic manner with due regard for privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.To read and understand written and verbal instructions, and complete HACCP records accurately.Take instruction and direction from catering team leaders and senior staff on the ward.Ensure daily orders are communicated in a timely manner, to enable the Catering Department to prepare and deliver food items on time.

Please see JD and PS for full details

Person Specification

General

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Previous experience in a care environment (Hospital of care home)

Experience

Essential

  • Previous Catering Experience
  • Food Handling

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

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

General

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Previous experience in a care environment (Hospital of care home)

Experience

Essential

  • Previous Catering Experience
  • Food Handling

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

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

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 details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Road

Chichester

PO19 6SE


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

St Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Road

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Service Manager

Poonam Bhatia

poonam.bhatia@nhs.net

01243788122

Details

Date posted

16 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,272 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7921611-APR26

Job locations

St Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Road

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Supporting documents

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