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The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Catering Assistant

The closing date is 28 April 2026

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Job summary

General cleaning of all areas . Work in accordance with rota and daily schedules Ensure high standards of personal hygiene Assist in other area as required by service needs To maintain high standards of food safety legislation at all time. To maintain HACCP records To replenish and restock areas as required

Main duties of the job

???????Example: To clean down all work preparation areas, food trollies, corridors, fridges ,freezers , equipment as requested and required. This includes large scale pieces of equipment , saucepans ,food containers, knives to ensure the removal of all contamination and allergens. To follow the duties laid down for the specific shift you are on, such as Cleaning food trollies, pot washing or serving meals.. waste removal including the separation of products to their correct waste stream as required by the trusts sustainability policy. Follow all personal safety requirements as laid down by the department such as short clean nails, clean fresh uniform daily, neat tidy hair worn underneath a hat., no jewellery. Assisting chefs in the preparation and production of food items, Serving and distribution of items , assist team members as need be, Aid customers as required. Ensure that all record keeping is up to date and compliant with legislation such as delivery temperatures, food service temperatures , wastage records and report any discrepancies so corrective action can be taken and recorded. The accepting and checking of deliveries and the putting away correctly of the products following stock rotation principles and the replenishing of fridges and display units . To aid all visitors to the department as required whilst maintaining the health and safety of the department . Ability to lift and carry large pieces of equipment in a safe manner.

About us

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

000606

Job locations

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX


Job description

Job responsibilities

To set up and prepare the restaurant for daily operations , including cutting of rolls ,turning on equipment ,unlocking of department and other associated tasks .

Reading and preparing hospitality requests in good time .

Being polite ,courteous and helpful to both colleagues and visitors in line with trust values and behaviours. Team work

Replenishment of all areas of the restaurant as required. Ensuring date rotation is followed .

Keeping the department clean and safe by thinking on your feet and cleaning up spills .

General cleaning of the department and all areas associated including outside areas, such as floors, walls ,ceilings, tables, equipment ,bins, trollies , door handles fridges, fryers etc by using the correct prescribed method and chemical and ensuring the correct PPE is used and the completing the cleaning schedule in a timely manner. this role requires the use of dangerous equipment and chemicals. Full training will be given during induction to post.

To load correctly food trollies so as to prevent spills, damage to products appearance and prevent injury to person unloading trolley

Follow the set pattern for working days with flexibility in hours as required by the team

To be responsible for practising good hygiene methods across the department in accordance with food safety and health and safety legislation.

Collection and removal of waste within the department

To attend food safety training and allergen training prior to commencing work and to update regularly as requested , to keep up to date with all mandatory training as required by the trust.

To ensure the department is secure at the end of day when working the late shirt.

To deliver items to wards and departments as requested.

To ensure that all jobs are completed in a timely manner so as not to impact on services.

Carry out temperature testing and recording for food items.

Reporting of all maintenance issues to keep yourself and colleagues safe at all times . This post holder will need to exert moderate physical effort for prolonged periods of time and will occasionally be asked to move food trollies around the hospital.

The post holder will also be asked to work in extremes of temperature as the kitchen production and loading areas are hot to ensure food temperatures are met, Whilst the fridges and freezers are very cold and require prolonged periods of working in for the cleaning and tidying off and putting stores away.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To set up and prepare the restaurant for daily operations , including cutting of rolls ,turning on equipment ,unlocking of department and other associated tasks .

Reading and preparing hospitality requests in good time .

Being polite ,courteous and helpful to both colleagues and visitors in line with trust values and behaviours. Team work

Replenishment of all areas of the restaurant as required. Ensuring date rotation is followed .

Keeping the department clean and safe by thinking on your feet and cleaning up spills .

General cleaning of the department and all areas associated including outside areas, such as floors, walls ,ceilings, tables, equipment ,bins, trollies , door handles fridges, fryers etc by using the correct prescribed method and chemical and ensuring the correct PPE is used and the completing the cleaning schedule in a timely manner. this role requires the use of dangerous equipment and chemicals. Full training will be given during induction to post.

To load correctly food trollies so as to prevent spills, damage to products appearance and prevent injury to person unloading trolley

Follow the set pattern for working days with flexibility in hours as required by the team

To be responsible for practising good hygiene methods across the department in accordance with food safety and health and safety legislation.

Collection and removal of waste within the department

To attend food safety training and allergen training prior to commencing work and to update regularly as requested , to keep up to date with all mandatory training as required by the trust.

To ensure the department is secure at the end of day when working the late shirt.

To deliver items to wards and departments as requested.

To ensure that all jobs are completed in a timely manner so as not to impact on services.

Carry out temperature testing and recording for food items.

Reporting of all maintenance issues to keep yourself and colleagues safe at all times . This post holder will need to exert moderate physical effort for prolonged periods of time and will occasionally be asked to move food trollies around the hospital.

The post holder will also be asked to work in extremes of temperature as the kitchen production and loading areas are hot to ensure food temperatures are met, Whilst the fridges and freezers are very cold and require prolonged periods of working in for the cleaning and tidying off and putting stores away.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Numerate and literate

Desirable

  • Good all round education
  • Basic Food Hygiene certificate

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to follow Health and Safety Food, Hygiene, COSHH & HACCP regulations

Desirable

  • Cleaning experience
  • Previous catering experience
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Numerate and literate

Desirable

  • Good all round education
  • Basic Food Hygiene certificate

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to follow Health and Safety Food, Hygiene, COSHH & HACCP regulations

Desirable

  • Cleaning experience
  • Previous catering experience

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

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Catering

Claire Bishop

claire.bishop4@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

000606

Job locations

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX


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