Job summary
The successful candidate will become part of the catering team that provides supper meals to patients at Victoria Hospital. This is a very busy meal service providing meals for approx 830 patients daily.
The meal service is a conveyor belt system where the meal is assembled at stations on either side of the conveyor. At the end of the service the area and equipment is cleaned down ready for the next days service. A 'strip down' conveyor dismantles the returned meal trays and put through the industrial dishwasher ready for the next service.
Main duties of the job
A vacancy has arisen for a catering assistant to work in the Catering Department Victoria Hospital on the Patients Meals Supper Service.The successful candidate will be part of a busy, motivated team working on a rota basis of 5 days over 7, including weekends and Bank holidays on duty. The main duties of this post are as follows:
-Plating of meals for patients and working on various sections of the 'Tray Meal Service' system paying particular attention to presentation and portion control.- General clearing and cleaning tasks following meal service.- Emptying & clearing returned meal trolleys, trays and meal dishes.- Dishwashing tasks using waste disposal equipment, sorting & cleaning crockery and cutlery; and loading / unloading Dish-Washing machine- Moving & handling of Meal Trolleys and Service equipment in the Patient's Meal Service area.
- Delivery and collection of meal trolleys to all wards as requiredThe successful candidates will be able to meet the physical requirements of the post, have catering experience and ideally hold a food safety certificate although this is not essential as training will be given.Hours: 22hrs weekly rotas range from 3.30pm to 8pm / 4pm to 8pm.
About us
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.
As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents -it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Catering Assistant appointments are made to various sections of the catering department and to specific contract hours and shift patterns. However, in order to maintain and meet the varying needs of the service, it is emphasised that a Catering Assistant may be allocated to work in other sections of the department in line with their Job Description and contracted hours.
- Serving meals for patients or staff and other customers as required.
- Compliance with the Catering Department Services and Hygiene & Quality Standards.
- Attractive presentation of all food items served.
- Correct and consistent portion control.
- Meeting required tempo of work & service deadlines.
- Assisting in basic preparation and portioning of foods including Salads, sandwiches, Fruits and Cold Snacks
- As applicable to daily work section, completing written records of times and temperatures of foods as required. (H.A.C.C.P. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
- Reporting to Section Supervisor regarding any food items which are not considered to be of a satisfactory temperature / standard for meals service.
- Ensuring that all items needing refrigeration are correctly stored and used in date code rotation.
- Moving & handling of Trolleys e.g. General transfer of food items, using trolleys and other food service equipment within operational areas. (observing safe 'Moving & Handling - refer to sections below)
- Clearing and cleaning of crockery, utensils, catering equipment and premises as required to maintain high standards of cleanliness.
- Dishwashing operations (including use of crockery & utensil washing machinery)
- Being aware of and complying with correct cleaning procedures and instructions for use of cleaning materials. (C.O.S.H.H. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
- Being correctly / cleanly dressed when on duty and in compliance with rules regarding jewellery, watches, hair control etc.
- Strictly complying with codes of practice for general food safety and personal hygiene.
- Being aware of and complying with Natashas law for Allergens.
- Knowing and applying the correct procedures in catering staff responsibilities to report any sickness and especially that compliance with the D & V policy is ensured.
- Correctly operating, (under supervision as appropriate) and ensuring proper cleaning, to a high standard of hygiene, any item of machinery used.
- Being aware of and following the Health and Safety procedures of the Catering Department and of the Trust.
- Observing and complying with safe 'Moving and Handling' guidance and training
- Meeting personal responsibility, for own safety and safety of colleagues, through safe working practices.
- Warning colleagues, and reporting to Supervisor or Catering Manager, of any identified potential risk e.g. defective equipment.
- Taking appropriate action in the event of an accident to notify Supervisor or Catering Manager without delay, referring to and completing online Incident Report in line with Health & Safety policy.
Personal
The working environment of the main kitchen meals service area, serving over 4000 meals daily, may often be hot, noisy and very busy due to the requirement to meet speed and timeliness of meals service 3 times daily, every day of the year.
The duties of a Catering Assistant involves long periods standing / walking in catering department areas.
Refresher training for food hygiene is required annually.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Catering Assistant appointments are made to various sections of the catering department and to specific contract hours and shift patterns. However, in order to maintain and meet the varying needs of the service, it is emphasised that a Catering Assistant may be allocated to work in other sections of the department in line with their Job Description and contracted hours.
- Serving meals for patients or staff and other customers as required.
- Compliance with the Catering Department Services and Hygiene & Quality Standards.
- Attractive presentation of all food items served.
- Correct and consistent portion control.
- Meeting required tempo of work & service deadlines.
- Assisting in basic preparation and portioning of foods including Salads, sandwiches, Fruits and Cold Snacks
- As applicable to daily work section, completing written records of times and temperatures of foods as required. (H.A.C.C.P. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
- Reporting to Section Supervisor regarding any food items which are not considered to be of a satisfactory temperature / standard for meals service.
- Ensuring that all items needing refrigeration are correctly stored and used in date code rotation.
- Moving & handling of Trolleys e.g. General transfer of food items, using trolleys and other food service equipment within operational areas. (observing safe 'Moving & Handling - refer to sections below)
- Clearing and cleaning of crockery, utensils, catering equipment and premises as required to maintain high standards of cleanliness.
- Dishwashing operations (including use of crockery & utensil washing machinery)
- Being aware of and complying with correct cleaning procedures and instructions for use of cleaning materials. (C.O.S.H.H. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
- Being correctly / cleanly dressed when on duty and in compliance with rules regarding jewellery, watches, hair control etc.
- Strictly complying with codes of practice for general food safety and personal hygiene.
- Being aware of and complying with Natashas law for Allergens.
- Knowing and applying the correct procedures in catering staff responsibilities to report any sickness and especially that compliance with the D & V policy is ensured.
- Correctly operating, (under supervision as appropriate) and ensuring proper cleaning, to a high standard of hygiene, any item of machinery used.
- Being aware of and following the Health and Safety procedures of the Catering Department and of the Trust.
- Observing and complying with safe 'Moving and Handling' guidance and training
- Meeting personal responsibility, for own safety and safety of colleagues, through safe working practices.
- Warning colleagues, and reporting to Supervisor or Catering Manager, of any identified potential risk e.g. defective equipment.
- Taking appropriate action in the event of an accident to notify Supervisor or Catering Manager without delay, referring to and completing online Incident Report in line with Health & Safety policy.
Personal
The working environment of the main kitchen meals service area, serving over 4000 meals daily, may often be hot, noisy and very busy due to the requirement to meet speed and timeliness of meals service 3 times daily, every day of the year.
The duties of a Catering Assistant involves long periods standing / walking in catering department areas.
Refresher training for food hygiene is required annually.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Literacy competency
- Holding recent Qualification in Food Hygiene at Basic level
Desirable
- Studying for Food Safety qualification to a higher level
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to carry out catering tasks with special attention to hygiene, food presentation and speed of work
Desirable
- Completed training (school or college) in basic trade catering services or home economics
Experience
Essential
- Previous employment or studies indicate capability to undertake training in duties of post.
Desirable
- Experienced in catering industry in similar position with full working knowledge of hygiene & food safety
- Previous experience of working in large group / busy environment
Other
Essential
- Flexibility to work various shift patterns
- Fit and healthy to carry out the physicall requirements of the post
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Literacy competency
- Holding recent Qualification in Food Hygiene at Basic level
Desirable
- Studying for Food Safety qualification to a higher level
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to carry out catering tasks with special attention to hygiene, food presentation and speed of work
Desirable
- Completed training (school or college) in basic trade catering services or home economics
Experience
Essential
- Previous employment or studies indicate capability to undertake training in duties of post.
Desirable
- Experienced in catering industry in similar position with full working knowledge of hygiene & food safety
- Previous experience of working in large group / busy environment
Other
Essential
- Flexibility to work various shift patterns
- Fit and healthy to carry out the physicall requirements of the post
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.
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
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.
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).
