At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Ward Patient Catering team to deliver meals and exceptional service to patients.
- Company: University Hospital Southampton, a supportive and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous leave, pension scheme, and discounts on attractions.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in patients' lives while gaining valuable experience in hospitality.
- Qualifications: Good numeracy and literacy skills; experience in food service is a plus.
Monday To Friday PM
3x 1330-2000 = 30h per week
University Hospital Southampton, SO16 6YD
Monday To Friday PM
- 3x 1330-2000 = 30h per week
- 6x 1430-1900 = 20h per week
- 2x 1500-1900 = 17.5h per week
- 2x 1500-1830 = 15h per week
Pay rate £12.92 per hour
Here at Serco, we are looking for Ward Hosts to join our team at University Hospital Southampton. Our Ward Hosts work as part of the Ward Patient Catering team, ensuring high quality hospitality service is provided.
Main Accountabilities
You will be responsible for taking orders and delivering a meal and drinks service, providing excellent customer service and care to patients. Meals are ordered using an electronic ordering system, and then prepared by the hospital kitchens and sent down to each ward to be delivered by the team.
What You'll Need To Do The Role
- A good level of numeracy and literacy skills, including readind and writing.
- Ideally, you will have worked within a food service environment or catering industry and you must understand the importance of hygiene and safety and special diet awareness.
- Strong customer service skills are a key part to this role, not only will you be serving food and beverages to the patients, but you will be interacting with them on a day to day basis.
- Positive communication can make a patient’s day that little bit brighter, so we need passionate and enthusiastic ward hosts on our team!
- This is a physically demanding role and the post holder will be expected to stand for long periods of time with manual handling involved.
Why Serco
- Meaningful and vital work: Working within soft services at Serco means that you’ll play a critical role in ensuring that patients continue to receive the care they need 24/7.
- A world of opportunity: It takes a diverse team to support a hospital and we’re big on internal progression. So whether you specialise your skills, progress into team management or move into operations, you’ll find all the opportunity you need to evolve your career.
- Great people: Hospitals are busy places and your role will see you interact with NHS staff, patients, and of course your supportive team. You will be part of the hospital.
What We Offer
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Thrive App, Simply Health Plans, Annual Leave Purchase Scheme and more
- Access to a huge range of discounts and exclusive deals such as Merlin Attractions, Mobile Phone discounts, Cinema discounts, Leisure and Hospitality discounts
- A fantastic culture and supportive team where you’ll get the chance to make a positive difference in a company passionate about diversity and inclusion
- Company discounts which include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships.
- Interesting and enjoyable work
- Committed to professional and personal development with a wide range of training and coaching opportunities to expand your capabilities
A Little Bit About Us
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.
Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
- Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
- Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).
For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.
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Ward Host in Southampton employer: Serco
At Serco, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can thrive as a Procurement Administrator. With a hybrid working model, generous annual leave, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing and career development, you'll find ample opportunities to grow within our supportive culture. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a range of corporate benefits that enhance your work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ward Host in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the hospital environment! Familiarise yourself with the layout and services offered at University Hospital Southampton. This will help you feel more confident during your interview and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since you'll be interacting with patients daily, think of scenarios where you can demonstrate your ability to provide excellent service. Role-playing with a friend can help you feel more prepared.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork skills! The Ward Patient Catering team relies on collaboration, so be ready to share examples of how you've worked well with others in previous roles. We love to see candidates who can fit into our supportive team culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and benefits right there. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Ward Host in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for providing excellent customer service shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making patients feel comfortable and well looked after.
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've worked in a food service or catering environment before, make sure to mention it! We love seeing how your past experiences can contribute to our team and the high-quality service we aim to provide.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you'd be a great fit for the Ward Host role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our careers website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Know Your Role
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Ward Host. Understand the importance of providing high-quality hospitality services to patients and be ready to discuss how your previous experience in food service or catering can contribute to this role.
✨Brush Up on Customer Service Skills
Since you'll be interacting with patients daily, think about examples from your past where you provided excellent customer service. Be prepared to share these experiences during the interview to demonstrate your strong communication skills and positive attitude.
✨Understand Hygiene and Safety Standards
Make sure you know the basics of hygiene and safety in a food service environment. You might be asked about special diet awareness, so it’s a good idea to review any relevant information that could come up during the interview.
✨Prepare for Physical Demands
This role is physically demanding, so be ready to discuss how you handle long periods of standing and manual handling. Think about your previous jobs and how you managed similar physical tasks, as this will show your readiness for the role.
