Job summary
Specialist Eating Disorder In-patient UnitSt Georges Hospital, Stafford
Ward Catering Assistant
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our Catering Team here on the Kinver Centre. The Kinver Centre is a specialist in-patient unit which treats people suffering from Anorexia Nervosa and who therefore find eating exceedingly difficult.
The role of the Ward Catering Assistant is to help prepare and cook the individualised meals prescribed by our Dietitians.
You must be able to work under pressure, have an eye for detail and a caring, non-judgmental approach towards people.
We offer excellent training facilities i.e. NVQ levels 2/3 in customer and care and food hygiene courses.
Main duties of the job
JOB PURPOSE:To work as part of the multidisciplinary team, specifically working closely with Dietitians, Occupational Therapists and Nursing Team to prepare, cook and serve individual meals to this client group.
About us
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;
- Supporting your career development and progression
- Excellent NHS Pension scheme
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Options for flexible working
- Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days)
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
- If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
- Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
- Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
- Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
- Free car parking at all trust sites
- Free flu vaccinations every year
- Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities To ensure all menus are completed and choices made from each section of the menu. To cook and present individual meals and snacks to patients at designated times as per dietitian's assessment / unit guidelines including: Preparation of food to agreed standards including food hygiene regulations. To be involved with dietitian & nursing team in regularly reviewing and adapting patient menus. Food service. Ensuring food delivered is of acceptable quality ie fresh salad, bread, milk etc. To ensure that all eating areas are suitably prepared for meal times, including serving trolley (as per unit guidelines). To present appetising and appealing meals while ensuring quantities are as stated by the dietitian. To maintain a clean kitchen and dining room. To ensure that adequate stock / supplies are available for mealtimes / snacks (as per patient / staff requirement). To monitor stock levels of all food stuffs i.e. dried / perishable, frozen. To order stocks as appropriate. To ensure high standards of food hygiene are always maintained. To monitor and record fridge / freezer temperature. To monitor and record food temperature. To ensure kitchen environment is kept clean and tidy. To ensure dining room is cleared at end of each meal that all unused food is removed and stored or disposed of accordingly and that the dining room is left clean and tidy for next meal. To ensure safe storage of food as detailed in Health and Safety Policy. Receive support and supervision on regular basis from identified members of the Eating Disorders Team. To have regular contact with patients on the unit including: Discussing new choices, obtaining views on catering service with dietitian. Maintain patient boundaries (as per protocol). To work as part of multidisciplinary team. To be non-judgmental and treat patients with respect. Report to Ward Manager any specific issues relating to patient contact. Maintain documentation ie menus, recipes as per standards. To undertake training as agreed with Ward Manager and Senior Hotel Services Manager. To undertake any other duties as required by the Ward Manager. It is expected that you will cover periods of absence for the other Ward Caterers on the unit.*Please see the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.*
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities To ensure all menus are completed and choices made from each section of the menu. To cook and present individual meals and snacks to patients at designated times as per dietitian's assessment / unit guidelines including: Preparation of food to agreed standards including food hygiene regulations. To be involved with dietitian & nursing team in regularly reviewing and adapting patient menus. Food service. Ensuring food delivered is of acceptable quality ie fresh salad, bread, milk etc. To ensure that all eating areas are suitably prepared for meal times, including serving trolley (as per unit guidelines). To present appetising and appealing meals while ensuring quantities are as stated by the dietitian. To maintain a clean kitchen and dining room. To ensure that adequate stock / supplies are available for mealtimes / snacks (as per patient / staff requirement). To monitor stock levels of all food stuffs i.e. dried / perishable, frozen. To order stocks as appropriate. To ensure high standards of food hygiene are always maintained. To monitor and record fridge / freezer temperature. To monitor and record food temperature. To ensure kitchen environment is kept clean and tidy. To ensure dining room is cleared at end of each meal that all unused food is removed and stored or disposed of accordingly and that the dining room is left clean and tidy for next meal. To ensure safe storage of food as detailed in Health and Safety Policy. Receive support and supervision on regular basis from identified members of the Eating Disorders Team. To have regular contact with patients on the unit including: Discussing new choices, obtaining views on catering service with dietitian. Maintain patient boundaries (as per protocol). To work as part of multidisciplinary team. To be non-judgmental and treat patients with respect. Report to Ward Manager any specific issues relating to patient contact. Maintain documentation ie menus, recipes as per standards. To undertake training as agreed with Ward Manager and Senior Hotel Services Manager. To undertake any other duties as required by the Ward Manager. It is expected that you will cover periods of absence for the other Ward Caterers on the unit.*Please see the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.*
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- A good general education is required.
- Cooking skills and Food presentation skills.
- Food Hygiene certificate.
Desirable
- NVQ level 2 - Hospitality & Catering (or equivalent).
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of catering for small numbers / establishment.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- Experience in undertaking a wide range of skills including communicating with others at all levels.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work in stressful and challenging situations.
Desirable
- Experience of modified diets ie gluten free, diabetic, dairy free.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- To have a pleasant personality, be tidy and clean and show a flexible outlook to working practices.
- Being able to work as part of a team.
- To be able to work under pressure.
- Self-motivated and ability to be none judgmental, reliable.
- To be creative, flexible and have enthusiasm.
- To maintain standards of appearance and be a good time-keeper.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- A good general education is required.
- Cooking skills and Food presentation skills.
- Food Hygiene certificate.
Desirable
- NVQ level 2 - Hospitality & Catering (or equivalent).
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of catering for small numbers / establishment.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- Experience in undertaking a wide range of skills including communicating with others at all levels.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work in stressful and challenging situations.
Desirable
- Experience of modified diets ie gluten free, diabetic, dairy free.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- To have a pleasant personality, be tidy and clean and show a flexible outlook to working practices.
- Being able to work as part of a team.
- To be able to work under pressure.
- Self-motivated and ability to be none judgmental, reliable.
- To be creative, flexible and have enthusiasm.
- To maintain standards of appearance and be a good time-keeper.
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
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Kinver Centre, St Chads House, St. George’s Hospital
Corporation Street
Stafford
ST16 3AG
Employer's website
https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
