Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Food Service Assistant

The closing date is 20 January 2026

Job summary

You will be required to work as a key member of the Ward Team to develop and maintain the patient environment. To provide a high quality helpful, courteous beverage and meal service, to meet the needs of patients. In addition carrying out cleaning and related duties as required in order to assist in the delivery of the hotel services.

Customer Care & Communication

To work as part of a team and communicate in a polite and positive manner with colleagues, Trust staff, patients and members of the public.

To deal initially with any customer complaints.

To demonstrate commitment to the department and the Trust.

To give guidance to new members of staff with regard to department/ward layout and daily routine

Catering

To assist in the preparation of all patient food services. To ensure that all food is prepared in a safe and hygienic manner at all times.

Main duties of the job

Collect, wash, refill and distribute patient water jugs and glasses.

To assist with the production of all meals necessary for the provision of patient service

The regeneration of food in accordance with Food Hygiene Codes of Practice

To plate and assemble patient meals accurately on tray for presentation to the patient

Check temperature of foods and record prior to service to patients.

Ensure that any patient requiring a special diet is catered for.

Monitor and report wastage levels of patient meals

The preparation and service of hot and cold beverages at designated times throughout the day.

Prepare and serve a range of snack to patients between meals or on an ad-hoc basis as instructed by nursing staff.

The collection of cutlery and crockery following the patient meal

The washing up of all crockery and cutlery items and storage of such items at ward level.

Adherence to all legislation and policies relating to patient meal service.

Maintain ward kitchens and equipment in a clean and hygienic manner.

Ensure that ward issues are maintained to the agreed level.

Ensure stock control and rotation procedures are maintained.

Conduct meal service by attractive presentation adhering to any specific request

Cleaning

To deliver a full cleaning service towards within the hospital in accordance with Work Schedules and activity within the area, using own initiative to plan workload.

About us

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester is the largest health academic campus in Europe, a great place to start or grow your career. With 10 hospitals and a wide range of community services, we care for over 1 million people every year, and our team of over 30,000 people is at the heart of everything we do.You'll be working alongside colleagues from all backgrounds, supporting people from every walk of life, and learning something new every day. We believe that everyone should feel welcome, respected, and valued at work. You can bring your whole self to MFT, knowing that your unique perspective and experiences are celebrated here.You'll find that we're committed to helping you grow - whether you want to develop new skills, progress in your career, or simply make a difference in your community. We offer equal opportunities for everyone, and we'll support you with training, development, and a caring environment where your health, wellbeing, and safety matter.Most importantly, you'll be part of a team where working together and supporting each other is everything. You'll make new friends, build strong relationships, and have a real voice in shaping the future of our Trust.At MFT we're All Here For You - every step of the way. Join us today.

Details

Date posted

06 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-SDX-7692311*

Job locations

Manchester University Fountation Trust, Oxford Road

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL


Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Ability to understand and carry out instructions.
  • Ability to listen and have good communication skills.
  • To act on own initiative & adapt quickly to change.
  • To work under pressure in a busy environment.
  • To maintain professionalism and demonstrate care and compassion with patients and other service users.

Desirable

  • Understanding of Health & Safety.
  • Understanding of Customer Care.
  • Understanding of Food Hygiene.
  • Basic Food Hygiene Level 2
  • Awareness of HACCP
  • Experience of working in a Catering Department.
Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Ability to understand and carry out instructions.
  • Ability to listen and have good communication skills.
  • To act on own initiative & adapt quickly to change.
  • To work under pressure in a busy environment.
  • To maintain professionalism and demonstrate care and compassion with patients and other service users.

Desirable

  • Understanding of Health & Safety.
  • Understanding of Customer Care.
  • Understanding of Food Hygiene.
  • Basic Food Hygiene Level 2
  • Awareness of HACCP
  • Experience of working in a Catering Department.

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

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Manchester University Fountation Trust, Oxford Road

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Manchester University Fountation Trust, Oxford Road

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Manager

Selina Rose

Selina.rose@sodexo.com

Details

Date posted

06 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-SDX-7692311*

Job locations

Manchester University Fountation Trust, Oxford Road

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)