Job overview

We have a vacancy for a part time, Band 2, Catering Assistant to work at Rochdale Infirmary.

You will be responsible for all aspects of patient meal selection, regeneration of frozen meals and preparation of simple foods such as breakfast items, sandwiches, and salads. This involves working directly with patients some of whom are compromised, on a one-to-one basis and being fully conversant with the nutritional state of all patients.

You will advise patients on the various nutritional/dietary options available dependent upon the patient’s needs and will ensure that patients receive their food/drinks in an environment that has been adequately prepared for mealtimes.

Patients’ meals will be served at the correct temperature and consistency whilst ensuring that the patient receives the meal they ordered. You will be fully responsible for monitoring food wastage, including quality control checks of food items, maintaining adequately stock levels of ward provisions and must ensure that all food storage and serving equipment, including crockery, is cleaned and stored appropriately and adhering to infection control standards.

You will be able to work without supervision at the stated place of work but may be asked to work at any of the Trust’s sites.

Main duties of the job

Patient Meal Service & Dietary Compliance

Complete patient menus accurately, confirming dietary needs with ward staff and avoiding allergens. Use the online system to manage food selections. Assist with meal service across breakfast, lunch, and supper.

Food Preparation & Regeneration

Prepare simple items like breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches. Select correct portions from storage to reduce waste. Operate regeneration ovens to safely reheat frozen meals.

Food Safety & HACCP Compliance

Monitor and record fridge/freezer temperatures, acting on unsafe readings. Log food temperatures at control points. Check expiry dates, rotate stock, and report poor quality items. Ensure proper receipt and storage of goods.

Hygiene & Infection Control

Maintain cleanliness of kitchen and equipment. Keep ward kitchen tidy and compliant. Follow infection control protocols and uphold personal hygiene standards.

Health & Safety

Work safely under Health and Safety regulations. Report damage to the Ward Manager. Handle aggressive patients calmly and professionally.

Teamwork & Flexibility

Support colleagues to meet Trust standards. Work across catering sections as per rota. Perform other suitable duties as required by management.

Working for our organisation

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we’re always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire – to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.