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Job summary

Main area
Facilities
Grade
Band 2
Contract
Permanent: Flexibility to be available to start work any schedule from 6am – 6.30pm, 5 over 7 days may include weekends
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Flexibility to be available to start work any schedule from 6am – 6.30pm, 5 over 7 days may include weekends)
Job ref
339-FD4846-CCC
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT)
Employer type
NHS
Site
Southmead Hospital
Town
Bristol
Salary
£25,272 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/10/2026 08:00

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT) logo

Catering Assistant

Band 2

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.


 

Job overview

We have a number of new catering roles to increase our staff who carry out duties in the central Production Kitchen, Restaurant or Cafes and associated areas.  This is due to the opening of the new Bristol Surgical Centre building on the Southmead Hospital site.


You could have various duties which include service of food, cleaning of premises and equipment, pre-preparation of food items prior to service and to regenerate cooked meals for patients at lunch and supper at ward level. It can involve taking of cash, manly via the use of cash tills. Pot wash and working in the catering stores area.  Full training is given before this duty is undertaken.


Please apply to express your interest. We are planning an assessment day at the Greenway Centre in Southmead on Thursday 5th June, but if you can't make that day, we can allocate another date, just let us know in your application.

Main duties of the job

Skills required
•    Ability to communicate with other catering staff regarding work issues and instructions
Training
•    To be able to undertake a structured training programme through taught courses and on the job training to last approximately 3 months to include foundation certificate in food hygiene/level 2 food safety certificate, and equipment training (slicing, boilers, cooling kettles etc). To be signed off as competent with a 3-4 month period   
Experience preferred
•    Recent relevant catering experience  (within the last 3 years)
•    Currently working in the Catering Industry
•    Up to date awareness of Catering Procedures and Food Safety

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston. 

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Shortlisting criteria

Essential criteria
  • Must hold or be able to obtain a Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene (or equivalent) within 3 months of starting employment with NBT.
  • Current knowledge of Catering Procedures and Food Safety at a supervisory level and in high-volume outlets
  • Recent experience in the catering industry within the last 3 years, with the most recent position held no later than 6 months ago
  • Currently employed in the catering industry
  • Ability to follow instructions
  • Proven ability to communicate effectively with colleagues

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
CHRISTOPHER WOODWARD
Job title
COMMERCIAL CATERING MANAGER
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07920376548
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