Job summary
- Main area
- Catering
- Grade
- Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- 10.5 hours per week (Full time and Part time hours contracts available)
- Job ref
- 430-CC27114A-E
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Catering - Patients (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £24,169 per annum, pro rata if part time
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 18/06/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 24/06/2025
Employer heading
Ward Foodservice Assistant
Band 2
Job overview
Ward food service assistant
Department: Catering – Patients
Band 2 £24,169 per annum, pro rata if part time (weekend enhancements apply)
Food is Medicine – Exciting Opportunity at Milton Keynes Hospital
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within the Catering department at Milton Keynes University Hospital. The role is part of the team providing the lunchtime and evening service on site. The role involves you working on a ward, as part of their team and delivering the lunch, evening meal, drinks and snack rounds, and the sanitising and cleaning of crockery and cutlery on the ward.
As part of our team, you will be providing patients with the important medicine that is our food, with over 35 different choices on our Menu. You will take the orders using an electronic tablet and cook the meals at ward level.
You will be paid enhanced rates for weekends and bank holidays.
The work is fast paced and rewarding. You will be making a difference to patient’s care and recovery.
You will be provided with a uniform, training and a locker.
If you feel you can make a difference to our patient’s lives and contribute to a happy and positive team, we want to hear from you.
Come and join the foodservice team at Milton Keynes Hospital and lets all prove that Food is Medicine.
Interview: 24.06.2025
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
Main duties of the job
Post holders will be responsible for foodservice for patients across Milton Keynes University Hospital sites in accordance with specified standards.
We are looking to fill the following vacancies as part of our permanent team:
Sunday 16.00-19.30 3.5 hours
Wednesday and Thursday 16.00-19.30 7 hours
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
Estates and Ancillary staff group scored higher on the “We are safe and healthy” theme (7.01/10), indicating they experience a safer work environment, looking after themselves and each other and prioritising their wellbeing. (NHS Staff Survey 2023)
Working for our organisation
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Assisting nursing staff in preparation of the breakfast trolley and the beverage trolley ready to assist in serving breakfasts, collection of breakfast trays once the patients have finished their meal. (Day staff only)
2. Collection of finished meal trays and beverages from patients and returning to the ward kitchen, loading the crockery and cutlery into the ward dishwasher.
3. Keeping any waste food and place it the caddy – return it to the central dishwash when the insulated trolleys are returned.
4. Preparation of the beverage trolley and service of beverages and snacks to patients (making sure that the items are appropriate to their dietary requirements and restrictions)
5. Checking with the Nurse in charge to see if there have been any changes to patients or their dietary status
6. Make sure the patient has a menu and ask the patient for their meal order making sure it is suitable for their diet status, answering any questions the patient has on the menu and food service
Please refer to the attached Job Description for further details.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Desirable criteria
- Level one Food Safety Certificate Food Safety Level 2 or working towards
- Customer service or working towards
Experience
Desirable criteria
- Previous catering/retail/care experience
- Customer service experience
- Experience of working as part of a team
Skills
Essential criteria
- Able to accommodate the demands of the post
- Good organizational skills
- Ability to prioritise tasks
- Flexible approach to duties and tasks
- Ability to maintain accurate written records
Desirable criteria
- Dietary/allergy knowledge
- Ability to use a PC table
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- To maintain patient confidentiality at all times
- Able to take instructions and multitask
- High standard of personal hygiene
Desirable criteria
- Work as part of a team
Communication
Essential criteria
- Good verbal communication skills
- Good written communication skills
- Ability to interact with patients, ward staff, colleagues and hospital visitors
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- High level of personal hygiene
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Francesco Fiore
- Job title
- Catering Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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