Patient Catering Ward Host

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.
Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.
We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.
Job overview
Are you a people person with a passion for food who\’ craving a new challenge? Then we want you to join our friendly and supportive Patient Catering team.
While previous catering experience is preferred it is not as essential as enthusiasm and willingness to learn as you will receive full-training before you start working across the hospital as a representative of the Patient Catering Department.
In this role you will be a part of improving our patients\’ experience on the ward through preparing and serving high-quality meals and refreshments. You will also be a friendly face on the ward that both patient and staff can interact with, making this a very sociable and rewarding role.
PLEASE NOTE: THE HOURS FOR THIS VACANCY ARE EITHER DAYS 07-3PM AFTERNOONS 3PM TO 8PM EVENINGS 4.30PM – 8.00PM
Main duties of the job
You\’ll be working alongside care teams to provide appropriate nutrition and hydration to all our patients as part of their all-round care plans. You\’ll be given the tools to assist and answer questions about the food and drink products you\’re providing.
You will be a key member of the Estates and Facilities Directorate and will help us to achieve our ambition of providing high quality services and facilities to support the delivery of care at the Trust.
You will gain experience of working within a patient focused environment whilst maintaining effective professional working relationships with internal and external colleagues.
Working for our organisation
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.
We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook – if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.
We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full role information please see the attached Job Description
We look forward to your application!
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria

• Good Level of general education
• Reasonable level of numeracy and literacy in English

Disirable Criteria
Essential criteria

• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Skills and Aptitudes
Essential criteria

• Flexibility and adaptability
• Good organisation skills
• Ability to work effectively alone and as part of a team

Knowlege & Experience
Essential criteria

• Knowledge of the principles of effective food hygiene
• Knowledge of Health and Safety, COSHH, Moving and Handling Experience

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.
Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn\’t accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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