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- Tasks: Provide friendly service in hospital cafés and on trolleys, ensuring a great experience for patients and staff.
- Company: Join Royal Voluntary Service, a vital part of the NHS, supporting communities through retail services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 26 days holiday, flexible working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact while working in a supportive team environment that values kindness and empathy.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring a positive attitude and willingness to learn!
- Other info: Part-time roles available with flexible hours, including weekends and bank holidays.
Retail Customer Assistant – Trolleys & Cafe at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton
Join to apply for the Retail Customer Assistant – Trolleys & Cafe at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton role at Royal Voluntary Service
Retail Customer Assistant – Trolleys & Cafe at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Retail Customer Assistant – Trolleys & Cafe at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton role at Royal Voluntary Service
Royal Voluntary Service provided pay range
This range is provided by Royal Voluntary Service. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Job Description
Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for a Retail Customer Assistant for Trolleys & Café to join our team at Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Rd, Royal Sussex County Hospital Eastern Road, Brighton And Hove BN2 5BE. You will join us on a part-time, permanent basis, and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £12.43 per hour (FTE £22,638 per annum).
About The Retail Customer Assistant Role
Royal Voluntary Service hospital cafés, shops, and trolleys are an integral part of the NHS and a valued asset in their own right. Staffed by a dedicated team of employees and volunteers, we provide an outstanding range of beverages and healthy food choices. Our customers appreciate knowing that the money they spend with us helps fund volunteer action in hospitals and the wider community.
Working alongside a friendly team of employees and volunteers, you will support the daily operation of our busy retail trolley service and cafés at Royal Sussex County Hospital.
In This Role, You Will Be Responsible For
- Providing friendly, kind, and empathetic customer service when visiting hospital wards and assisting in the cafés
- Setting up, taking out, and packing away the trolley, ensuring it is well-presented and stocked for each ward visit
- Greeting patients and staff warmly during trolley visits, informing them about available products or specials, answering any questions, and processing orders and payments using the mobile till
- Supporting and working alongside volunteers, helping to train and coordinate them during trolley service shifts
Hours: 2 Positions 8-20 per week
Position 1: 8-Hour Weekend Role
This is a weekend-only position. You must be available to work on Saturday and Sunday between 09:00 and 17:30.
- The role consists of 8 hours per week, typically split into two 4-hour shifts.
- Example shifts include:
- 09:30 – 13:30
- 13:30 – 17:30
Position 2: 20 Hours per Week
You must be able to work flexibly Monday to Sunday, between the hours of 08:30 and 17:30.
- Shifts typically consist of five days, four hours each.
- Example weekday shifts include:
- 08:30 – 12:30
- 13:30 – 17:30
- 09:30 – 13:30
Our retail sites are open every day, including weekends and all bank holidays.
There may also be opportunities for paid overtime during busy periods or to cover absences.
What You\’ll Bring As Our Retail Customer Assistant
Working in a hospital environment requires a special kind of customer service. Your ability to communicate with patients, staff, and visitors in a kind, empathetic, and cheerful way will make a real difference to someone’s day. The key is to adapt your approach to each individual to ensure their needs are met, whether you’re visiting wards with the trolley or assisting in the café.
Job Requirements
This is what we\’re looking for:
- Previous experience in a retail or café environment would be an advantage, but training will be provided – just bring a positive attitude, a can-do mindset, and a willingness to learn, and we’ll teach you the rest.
- Enjoy working within a passionate team of employees and volunteers, as well as independently during trolley rounds.
- Knowledge of EPOS / till systems would be advantageous.
- Experience with general administrative processes would be beneficial.
- A willingness to engage in training and ongoing professional development.
- The ability to deliver outstanding customer service with kindness and empathy.
- Great communication skills, especially in sensitive hospital settings.
- Excellent organisational skills to manage trolley visits and stock.
- Familiarity with email and internet is required.
- Good literacy and numeracy skills.
- A flexible approach towards working hours.
Job Responsibilities
This is what you\’ll be doing:
To ensure the effective operation our trolley service in maintaining outstanding standards, whilst providing friendly, helpful, and excellent customer service to all staff & patients, maximising a great shopping experience. Provide friendly, helpful, and efficient customer service at all times
- Providing friendly, kind, and empathetic customer service when visiting hospital wards
- Greeting patients and staff warmly during trolley visits, informing them about available products or specials, answering any questions,
- Setting up, taking out, and packing away the trolley, ensuring it is well-presented
- This role involves pushing loaded trolleys of stock for long distances.
- Regularly replenishing stock and displays on the trolley and in the cafés to ensure availability
- Date rotate stock as appropriate. Assist in the accurate completion of regular stock checks
- Cashing up the mobile till accurately at the end of each trolley round
- Supporting and working alongside volunteers, helping to train and coordinate them during trolley service shifts
- Maintaining a high level of cleanliness complying with Health and Safety and food hygiene standards and ensuring all areas of the trolley remain tidy
- Preparing hot and cold drinks (Café)
- From time to time, you will be required to work in our cafes & shop units
This Is How You\’ll Be Doing It
Delivers Objectives
Strives to deliver what is expected or required of them and consistently meets objectives and deadlines. Is dependable and does not like abandoned tasks without seeing them through to the end. Work is often conducted in a thorough and methodical manner.
Quality Orientation
Pays attention, is precise, checks, and completes things Focuses on getting things right and seeks to ensure that decisions and solutions minimise risk. Adheres to policy and standards.
Team Working
Enjoys participating in group activities and likes to work with other people. Is ready to collaborate with and support others and is willing to cooperate and compromise for the overall good.
Service Delivery Focussed
Identifies and focuses on the individual needs and concerns of the customer or client. Engages and responds accordingly with a professional and high-quality service. Is committed to keeping people safe from harm.
Following Directions
Is motivated to accept and comply with standards and instructions and delivers accurately on what is promised or expected. Works productively in co-operation with, and support of, others.
Interpersonal Sensitivity
Has the ability to interact with others in a sensitive and effective way. Respects and works well with others. Is able to build and maintain healthy relationships that are mutually beneficial.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Values difference and sets a positive example of inclusive behaviour in all interactions and promotes practices that celebrate equality and diversity in the workplace and the communities we serve. Is an active participant and encourages others to engage effectively with charity wide inclusion activities.
Job Benefits
This is all the other great stuff you\’ll be getting:
- Salary of £12.43 per hour (FTE £22,638 per annum)
- 26 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus paid statutory Bank Holidays (pro rata)
- Ten weeks’ company sick pay following successful completion of probation
- A great pension scheme
- 2 x Salary Death in Service Benefit, subject to qualification
- Enhanced Family Leave schemes
- An employee benefits package that gives access to an exclusive rewards website to get discounts and cashback online
- A 24-hour doctor line, financial support with dental/optical and other therapies
- A free and confidential employee assistance programme with up to six face-to-face counselling sessions included
- Extensive online and on the job training to ensure you will succeed in your role
- Opportunities to discuss flexible working
- Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
- The chance to make a positive, lasting impact that changes lives, communities and society
If you feel have the skills and experience to become our Retail Customer Assistant please click ‘apply’ today, we’d love to hear from you!
If successful in your application for this role a DBS/PVG check will be made as part of your pre-employment checks.
This is the latest you\’ll be able to apply, providing we do not close to applicants early:
The closing date for this role is 2nd September 2025. However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. Please do not delay your application we often get a lot!
At Royal Voluntary Service our goal is to welcome everyone and build inclusive and diverse teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work. To find out more about our commitment to EDI, visit our website.
Join Royal Voluntary Service and together we can change lives, change communities and change society.
Other organisations may call this role Retail Assistant, Shop Assistant, Café Assistant, Store Assistant, Retail Sales Assistant, or Customer Service Assistant.
Seniority level
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Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Part-time
Job function
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Job function
Customer Service and Sales
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Industries
Retail
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Retail Customer Assistant - Trolleys & Cafe at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton employer: Royal Voluntary Service
Contact Detail:
Royal Voluntary Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Customer Assistant - Trolleys & Cafe at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the hospital environment and the specific needs of patients and staff. Understanding the unique atmosphere of a hospital can help you tailor your customer service approach, making it more empathetic and effective.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with current employees or volunteers at Royal Voluntary Service to gain insights into their experiences. This can provide you with valuable information about the role and the team dynamics, which can be beneficial during any interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your flexibility in working hours, especially since the role requires weekend availability. Highlighting your willingness to adapt to various shifts can make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully interacted with customers in previous roles. Being able to articulate your experience in providing excellent service will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Customer Assistant - Trolleys & Cafe at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in retail or customer service. Emphasise any previous roles where you provided excellent customer service, especially in a café or hospital environment.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your empathy and communication skills. Mention specific examples of how you've positively impacted customers in past roles, as this is crucial for the Retail Customer Assistant position.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on skills such as teamwork, organisation, and adaptability. Mention any experience with EPOS systems or stock management, as these are beneficial for the role.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Express your passion for working in a hospital setting and your commitment to providing outstanding service. Let them know why you want to be part of the Royal Voluntary Service team and how you can contribute to their mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Voluntary Service
✨Show Empathy and Kindness
In a hospital environment, your ability to connect with patients and staff is crucial. During the interview, demonstrate your understanding of the importance of empathy in customer service, especially when dealing with individuals who may be feeling unwell or stressed.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
Since you'll be working alongside both employees and volunteers, it's essential to showcase your teamwork abilities. Share examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
The role requires a flexible approach to working hours. Be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to different shifts, including weekends and bank holidays, as this will show your commitment to the position.
✨Prepare for Customer Service Scenarios
Think about potential customer service scenarios you might encounter in a hospital setting. Prepare responses that reflect your ability to handle questions, complaints, or requests with professionalism and care, which is key for this role.