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Job summary

Main area
Catering
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Job ref
193-8271392CORB2-CATASST
Employer
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Town
Reading
Salary
£25,272 pro-rata per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
08/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust logo

Catering Assistant (P/T 30 hrs p/w)

NHS AfC: Band 2

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”

Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements.  The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.  

We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions

We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate

We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live

We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust. When completing your application, we encourage you to highlight your individual achievements and strengths, showing us how they align with the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools during the process, please be mindful that AI-generated responses can often lack the personal detail and relevance needed to demonstrate your suitability for the role. AI generated content is discouraged by the Trust and may diminish the candidates chances of success.

Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us.  We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.  

Please note: all vacancies automatically close when 50 applications have been received.

Job overview

Band 2 Catering Assistant / Catering Facilities Assistant

This is a part-time post for 30 hours per week (Approx 16:00-20:00 Monday to Friday) 

The post holder is expected to:

  • To work as part of the catering team in producing approximately 1600 patient meals and the serving of 700 customers in the restaurant per day.  
  • To provide catering assistant / store portering duties to ensure the smooth, efficient and safe running of the catering function, stores and all its services to the standards outlined. Including the receiving, checking and appropriate storage of all food and catering supplies, undertaking interdepartmental deliveries. All food safety policies and procedures, accurate record keeping and adherence to health, safety and quality control measures.
  • To assist in maintaining a clean, tidy and safe department, whilst providing the customer with pleasant and efficient service. Carrying out duties in line with the department’s working procedures.
  • To assist with the smooth running and appearance of the Trust, the post holder is expected to be flexible and work across the Facilities Directorate and the Trust, as required and appropriate to the grade.
  • Provide and assist with the provision of the services described to a high standard, ensuring effective operation of the hospital organisation

Main duties of the job

  • Deliver a high-quality catering service in line with Trust policies, procedures, SLAs, health and safety and food service standards.
  • Prepare, portion, present and serve food for patients and other catering services, maintaining appropriate quality and presentation standards.
  • Undertake basic food preparation and cooking, including salads, sandwiches, breakfasts, vegetables and other food items as required.
  • Receive, check, order, store and distribute catering supplies, including deliveries to wards and departments, and report any discrepancies.
  • Maintain stock levels and undertake stock taking, stock control and preparation of goods for future food production.
  • Operate catering equipment, including dismantling, reassembling, cleaning and ensuring equipment is safe and fit for use.
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and environmental safety across catering areas, including completing required cleaning, temperature and wastage records.
  • Provide effective customer service and communicate food service information to patients, staff, ward teams and members of the public.
  • Organise and prioritise own workload, provide cover across the catering service as required, and support colleagues to maintain service continuity.
  • Support, train and demonstrate duties and procedures to new and less experienced colleagues, while identifying and reporting safety, maintenance and equipment issues.

Working for our organisation

Reading sits on the river Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.

The CQC recently rated the care provided by The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.

Our values: Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent, reflect the type of Trust we aspire to be and you can join our dedicated and talented staff to make this happen.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details regarding the role

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of adequate level of education
  • Demonstrate adequate level of literacy and numeracy skills
  • Basic Hygiene Certificate
  • Manual Handling Certificate

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Dealing with a range of people with a customer/service focus
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in a catering function

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Florence Nightingale FoundationNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

Application numbers

This vacancy will automatically close when 50 applications have been received.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Russell Butcer
Job title
Staff Services Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01183227095
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