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Job summary

Main area
Food Service Assistant
Grade
Band 2
Contract
Bank
Hours
Flexible working - 0 hours per week (Monday to Saturday)
Job ref
279-7140543-SEP25
Employer
279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St Richard's Hospital
Town
Chichester
Salary
£12.08 per hour
Salary period
Hourly
Closing
17/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Bank Food Service Assistant

Band 2

 

 About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

 Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First .  In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme  for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. 

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: 

https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to joint the catering Team at St Richards hospital.

We are looking for a self motivated individual to join our team as a Food service assistant on our busy wards at St Richards Hospital working on a specialist unit . 

We have bank positions available.

- PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY - 

(Additional bank position/hours may be available on an add hock basis when available if desired) 

 

Should you require Additional Support with completing your Application, Please contact the Facilities and Estates Recruitment Team via email below: 

 

Main duties of the job

Applicants should have experience working with elderly people and have both knowledge and understanding to enable them to support their catering requirements, therefore it is essential that applicants have previous work experience in a hospital or care environment and are able to evidence their experience at the time of the interview, able to demonstrate a good understanding of this customer group and their needs, demonstrate and evidence a caring, patient attitude in line with our Trust values. 

The role involves  interacting  directly with patients to take meal orders, serving hot and cold meals and serve beverages  therefore excellent communication skills are essential. 

Food service assistants are responsible for keeping their environment clean to a high standard, completing HACCP documentation and a basic understanding of COSHH and food safety is essential.

Food service assistants are required to use a range of equipment such as Ipads, Regen hot meal trolleys and beverage carts and whilst full training will be given to operate safely, applicants should be aware that the duration of their shift will be on their feet, pushing, pulling, bending and lifting while sometimes working in warm environments. 

- PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY - 

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. 


We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. 


As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. 


We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

- PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY - 

Maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangements with ward staff, own team and other hospital departments.
Communicate effectively with patients and their relatives to ensure their food and beverage requirements are met.
To communicate in a courteous, co-operative and sympathetic manner with due regard for privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.
To read and understand written and verbal instructions, and complete HACCP records accurately.
Take instruction and direction from catering team leaders and senior staff on the ward.
Ensure daily orders are communicated in a timely manner, to enable the Catering Department to prepare and deliver food items on time.   

Please see JD and PS for full details

Person specification

Genneral

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Previous experience in a care environment (Hospital of care home)

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous Catering Experience
  • Food Handling

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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
Tony Shea
Job title
Catering Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01243788122
Additional information

Ext 33230

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