Bank Catering Assistant / Housekeeper

Location: Evora Hospice, St John’s House, Newry

Salary: Band 2 (enhanced rate for weekends)

Reports to: Supervisor on Duty

Main Purpose of Job: As a member of the Relief Team, you will support the Catering Department in the day‑to‑day operation of a busy hospice kitchen, helping to maintain high standards of food preparation, service, hygiene, and cleanliness. In addition, you will provide support to the Housekeeping Team, ensuring excellent standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control are maintained across all Hospice premises, including the Inpatient Unit, Day Therapy Centre, and Offices.

Duties And Responsibilities:

• Catering Duties: Assist with food preparation in line with food hygiene and environmental health guidelines. Provide a high standard of customer service, including order taking and serving staff meals. Prepare dining areas and hospitality trolleys as required.
• Housekeeping Duties: Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control. Carry out routine and deep cleaning duties using appropriate equipment (training provided). Complete basic laundry duties, including sorting, bagging, and counting laundry. Maintain accurate records and ensure proper use of cleaning materials and equipment.
• General Responsibilities: Follow the work schedules laid down within the time limits specified. Attend and adhere to Fire, Moving and Handling training and adhere to all policies and procedures. Ensure a high standard of personal hygiene and neatness in uniform and adhere to uniform policy at all times. Observe and maintain confidentiality at all times. Adhere to the procedures regarding skin care and all other matters relating to health and safety as set out in the staff handbook.
• Communication: Attend meetings with Line Manager as requested. Co-operate with staff from other departments in matters of mutual concern.
• Health Safety: Under the Health and Safety at Work (NI Order 1978), you are required to take all reasonable steps while at work to ensure your own health and safety and the safety of those who may be affected by your acts or omissions. You must familiarise yourself with and comply with all health and safety policies which are relevant to your area of work.
• Equal Opportunities: Evora Hospice operates an equal opportunities policy in accordance with the Fair Employment (NI) Acts 1976 and 1989, the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. All employees have a responsibility to be familiar with policies on equal opportunities and to help ensure a working environment in which the dignity of all fellow employees is respected.
• Values and Behaviours: Employees of Evora Hospice are required to promote and support its core values: Dignity, Compassion, Integrity, Innovation, Excellence and Equality.
• Employees Are Expected To: Always operate with honesty and integrity. Show respect for and a sensitivity towards all those you meet in your working day. Always maintain the highest level of confidentiality. Actively develop yourself and others where possible. Participation in corporate or fund-raising events is encouraged to enable all employees to support their team and make a personal contribution to the success of the charity. Operate with tact, patience and diplomacy and maintain a sensitive and professional approach towards colleagues and service users.

Personnel Specification:

Essential Criteria: 6 months experience in a catering environment. Experience of cleaning and maintaining a house domestically or in a commercial setting such as hospitality, charity, schools, etc. Understands the importance of high cleaning standards within a health care setting.

Knowledge and Experience: 6 months experience in a catering environment. Experience of cleaning and maintaining a house domestically or in a commercial setting such as hospitality, charity, schools, etc. Understands the importance of high cleaning standards within a health care setting.

Skills: Ability to maintain accurate written records. Can work independently and as part of a team. Good attention to detail. Flexible, adaptable, and professional with a positive attitude. Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal. Strong customer service and interpersonal skills. Ability to follow instructions and work safely. Able to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively. Basic IT skills.

Desirable Criteria: Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate. Previous working knowledge of infection control. Understanding of HS and COSHH. Experience in using cleaning equipment and materials.