Hospital Kitchen Assistant — Patient Meals & Service

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, self-motivated and committed individual to influence and contribute as part of the award-winning Catering Services at University Hospital North Durham. The successful applicant will be working at kitchen level for the provision of beverages and meal services to patients within University Hospital North Durham.

Successful applicants will be expected to display their ability to operate in a very busy environment whilst maintaining excellent levels of customer service and the ability to ensure that all patients are receiving good nutritional food.

The successful applicant will have:

• Previous catering experience in a fast-paced environment
• Sound knowledge of food hygiene regulations
• Excellent communication and customer care skills
• Level 2 Certificate in Food Hygiene

Main duties of the job:

• To work under the direction of the Food Services Manager in the preparation of nutritious and appetising meals for all patients, to the highest possible standards of nutritional, temperature, quality, presentation, hygiene and safety.
• To be involved in the electronic patient meal ordering.
• Ensure high standards of food service, reheating of food and ensuring quality control process throughout.
• To ensure temperature monitoring and recording of all reheating of food in accordance with standards as laid down in the Catering Departments Policies and Procedures and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Assist with receipt, quality assurance and stock control of goods received from the Central Production Unit (CPU).
• Correct storage and security of goods, adhering to stock rotation practices in accordance with kitchen HACCP.
• Assist in Hygiene Audits and Cleaning Schedules inspections for your area of work is completed weekly, liaising with the Food Service Supervisors to ensure that any remedial work is carried out.
• To assist in the general cleaning of crockery and kitchen utensils using the dishwashing machine and by hand when required.

Job responsibilities:

• To support and assist the Food Services Supervisor and Food Service Manager in the provision of a highly professional catering service at University Hospital North Durham and to ensure that high quality standards are met at all times.
• To follow the policies and procedures laid down by the catering services in the day-to-day operational management of food service and to ensure a high quality and cost-effective service.
• To ensure that food safety and allergen regulations are adhered to at all times.
• Provide and maintain a highly customer-focused service to all users.
• Ensure that communication channels are maintained between appropriate staff/visitor/patient groups with regard to patient catering.
• Work in a safe manner so that no other persons are put at risk whilst completing the required duties.
• Initially deal with any complaints/comments regarding the service in a courteous manner from Trust staff or patients.

Person Specification:

• Natural & enthusiastic staff member
• Ability to follow clear instructions and feedback to senior staff
• Committed to quality customer care/delivering excellent customer service
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Able to work with minimal supervision following set procedures
• Flexible approach to work and adaptable to change
• Good manual dexterity, physical fitness
• Good timekeeping
• Basic numeracy
• Knowledge of food safety and allergen regulations

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work shifts and weekends and have flexibility to needs of the service
• Health and safety

Qualifications:

• Level 2 Certificate in Food Hygiene
• Basic English and maths
• A good standard of literacy and numeracy

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.