Job summary
Make a real difference every day by helping deliver nutritious, comforting meals to the patients, staff, and visitors who rely on Dorset County Hospital. Join a team where your care, energy, and teamwork truly matter.
As a Catering Assistant, you will be an integral part of a friendly and dynamic team committed to delivering exceptional service in a fast-paced hospital environment. This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a supportive and rewarding environment.
This is an exciting time to join us as we continue to develop and enhance our catering services. You'll help prepare and serve meals across both patient and retail operations, operate catering equipment such as coffee machines and tills, and maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and food hygiene. With flexible shifts across mornings, lunchtimes, and evenings, this role offers variety, teamwork, and the chance to make a meaningful difference every day.
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with strong customer service skills, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn. You'll receive full support, including online training and opportunities for development within a team that values integrity, respect, teamwork, and excellence. If you enjoy working with food, thrive in a busy environment, and want to be part of a welcoming and dedicated team, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
As a Catering Assistant within the Catering Department, you will play a crucial role in deliveringa high-quality service to the hospital, supporting the central meal service for patients, and maintaining excellent standards of cleanliness, food safety, and hygiene.You will work collaboratively within a team, supporting both the patient meal service and theoperation of the central dishwashing area.Your responsibilities will include the mechanical washing of crockery, cutlery, and utensils usedby patients, staff, and visitors, as well as ensuring general cleaning duties are carried outthroughout the catering environment.
About us
At Dorset County Hospital, we're looking for dedicated people to join our catering team during an exciting period of change. You'll help deliver high-quality, locally sourced meals to patients while supporting improvements across the service.
Our team is small, supportive, and used to working under pressure. You'll be encouraged to lead by example, motivate colleagues, and contribute to a positive, collaborative environment.
We're committed to your development and wellbeing, offering guidance from HR and the Staff Union, along with wellbeing support such as Vivup and Steps to Wellbeing.
The catering department is a diverse, welcoming group that values teamwork and personal growth. Hard work is recognised, and those who show commitment will find opportunities to progress and feel genuinely valued as part of the team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. Please scroll through to find the JD/PS appropriate to the role you are applying for. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Please contact us atRecruitment@dchft.nhs.ukif you are unable to view or download the attachment.
For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.
Right to Work in the UK: This role is not available for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to support visa applications for this post in line with UKVI regulations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. Please scroll through to find the JD/PS appropriate to the role you are applying for. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Please contact us atRecruitment@dchft.nhs.ukif you are unable to view or download the attachment.
For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.
Right to Work in the UK: This role is not available for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to support visa applications for this post in line with UKVI regulations.
Person Specification
Education Qualifica & Training
Essential
- Evidence of school education
- Basic Food Hygiene
- Manual Handling of loads
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Familiarity with basic food hygiene standards (e.g., Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate). ? Understanding of crosscontamination risks and allergen awareness.
- Experience working in a kitchen environment, assisting with preparation, cleaning, and organization. ? Knowledge of using basic kitchen equipment safely.
- Experience in a retail or customer facing role, preferably in food service. ? Knowledge of operating point-of sale systems and handling cash or card payments.
- Basic understanding of stock rotation (FIFO) and minimizing food waste.
- Awareness of workplace safety protocols, including lifting and handling procedures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with customers, team members, and supervisors
- Willingness to work shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Basic food preparation, including chopping, portioning, and assembling meals. ? Understanding of dietary requirements wither with modified texture or clinical dietary requirements
- Friendly and professional demeanour when interacting with customers in retail settings. ? Ability to handle customer inquiries and provide assistance promptly and courteously.
- Willingness to perform a variety of tasks, including retail service, food preparation, and cleaning duties. ? Ability to switch between front-ofhouse and back-of-house roles as needed.
- Ability to work collaboratively with chefs, kitchen staff, and retail colleagues. ? Willingness to take direction and assist with team goals.
- Basic understanding of food safety practices, including proper storage, handling, and cleaning. ? Awareness of personal hygiene and its importance in food service environments.
- Ability to prioritize tasks in a fastpaced environment, ensuring timely meal service and retail operations.
- Handling cash transactions accurately and efficiently in the retail setting. ? Recording inventory or assisting in stock management when needed
Person Specification
Education Qualifica & Training
Essential
- Evidence of school education
- Basic Food Hygiene
- Manual Handling of loads
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Familiarity with basic food hygiene standards (e.g., Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate). ? Understanding of crosscontamination risks and allergen awareness.
- Experience working in a kitchen environment, assisting with preparation, cleaning, and organization. ? Knowledge of using basic kitchen equipment safely.
- Experience in a retail or customer facing role, preferably in food service. ? Knowledge of operating point-of sale systems and handling cash or card payments.
- Basic understanding of stock rotation (FIFO) and minimizing food waste.
- Awareness of workplace safety protocols, including lifting and handling procedures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with customers, team members, and supervisors
- Willingness to work shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Basic food preparation, including chopping, portioning, and assembling meals. ? Understanding of dietary requirements wither with modified texture or clinical dietary requirements
- Friendly and professional demeanour when interacting with customers in retail settings. ? Ability to handle customer inquiries and provide assistance promptly and courteously.
- Willingness to perform a variety of tasks, including retail service, food preparation, and cleaning duties. ? Ability to switch between front-ofhouse and back-of-house roles as needed.
- Ability to work collaboratively with chefs, kitchen staff, and retail colleagues. ? Willingness to take direction and assist with team goals.
- Basic understanding of food safety practices, including proper storage, handling, and cleaning. ? Awareness of personal hygiene and its importance in food service environments.
- Ability to prioritize tasks in a fastpaced environment, ensuring timely meal service and retail operations.
- Handling cash transactions accurately and efficiently in the retail setting. ? Recording inventory or assisting in stock management when needed
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.
