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Job summary

Main area
Catering
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (5 out of 7; early and late shifts)
Job ref
196-ESS1554-Y
Employer
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Brompton Hospital
Town
London
Salary
£29,583 per annum inc HCA (pro rata)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
29/05/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust logo

Catering Assistant- Retail

NHS AfC: Band 2

Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.

Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions. 

Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.

In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.

We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.

Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’. Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’.

The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.

We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.



Job overview

We are looking to recruit friendly individuals who will demonstrate a caring and compassionate approach to work, primarily in our private patients’ ward. You will be involved in all aspects of the food and beverage service to patients, undertaking the preparation for the service of breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Other areas of work may include the delivery of function food to all areas of the hospital and assisting in retail areas when required. You will have varied responsibilities, and therefore, a positive and cheerful attitude is a must, along with a drive to improve the patient experience.

These are all challenging but rewarding jobs and would be ideally suited to motivated team players. Previous experience within a busy catering environment would be beneficial (but not essential). A Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Catering is essential.

Main duties of the job

As a Retail Catering Assistant in the NHS, you will be responsible for providing excellent customer service while ensuring high-quality food and beverages are prepared, presented, and served to patients, staff, and visitors. The role involves working in the hospital's retail catering environment (e.g., cafeteria, food kiosks, vending services), supporting the operational needs of the catering service, and maintaining hygiene and safety standards.

Working for our organisation

The atmosphere at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is warm, inclusive, and patient-focused. Our staff members work collaboratively across various departments to deliver the highest standard of care, ensuring patients feel valued and supported throughout their journey. The hospital’s environment is one where innovation thrives and where your contributions are appreciated and celebrated. Whether you’re working directly with patients or in a behind-the-scenes role, you’ll find a culture of mutual respect, teamwork, and compassion.

The work ethic at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is driven by a passion for excellence in healthcare. We are committed to maintaining high standards of care, professionalism, and accountability in all aspects of our work.

Working at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust means being part of a prestigious healthcare institution that truly values its staff. With a culture centred on care, respect, and collaboration, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference while enjoying a fulfilling career.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To assist with the preparation and service of all foods, including raw ingredients required for staff and visitor food services. To ensure that all foods are always produced and served in a safe and hygienic manner.

    To ensure an efficient service to all patients, staff and visitors to their satisfaction in the restaurant, coffee shop and outpatients snack bar at the hours specified by the Trust.

    To ensure accurate completion of sales transactions using manual and electronic cash register systems, and assist in the control of income as detailed by the Trust Policy

    To ensure the service meets the food safety and health and safety rules and regulations

    To assist in ensuring all food, beverages, menu display, utensils, and commodities are available for the catering service.

    General cleaning of service areas and related equipment, adhering to COSHH regulations.

    Play an active part in marketing the restaurant and retail services, including the presentation, display and delivery of services

Person specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE grades A-C in English and Mats
  • NVQ -Customer Services Certificate
Desirable criteria
  • NVQ in basic Catering skills

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working restaurant/cafeteria/ ward environment
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety, Food Safety rules and regulations
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience NHS catering services

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Able to maintain set standards for a high level of food services
  • Ability to prioritize work and manage the day-to-day service
Desirable criteria
  • Excellent people skills and be a team player

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Timewise helps businesses to attract and develop the best talent through flexible working.Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employer

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
Nuno Matias
Job title
Catering Services manager
Email address
[email protected]
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