# Patient Catering Assistant - LRI > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/patient-catering-assistant-lri/3031ca1e-b972-4e94-8aeb-82a9c05b0e72 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/patient-catering-assistant-lri/3031ca1e-b972-4e94-8aeb-82a9c05b0e72.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust - **Location:** Leicester Royal Infirmary - **Workplace type:** onsite - **Profession:** Estates and facilities - **Grade:** Band 2 - **Salary:** £25,272 Enhancements paid for weekend shifts - **Contract type:** Permanent: Working 16.00-20.00 on a three week roster which will include 2 weekends in 3 - **Employment type:** Part time - 18.67 hours per week (Working 16.00-20.00 on a three week roster which will include 2 weekends in 3) - **Closing date:** 2026-09-10T07:00:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-08-27T13:01:06.249Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Leicestershire/Leicester/University_Hospitals_Leicester_NHS_Trust/Patient_Catering/Patient_Catering-v8259902 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8259902?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview The role of the Patient Catering Assistant is to carry out duties within the chilled production and wash up areas in the main kitchen as required. Providing a high standard patient meal service, in a professional and responsive manner, meeting the needs of the patients. Preparation and regeneration of Meals at ward level on a daily basis. Working as part of a Team to include Ward Staff to provide all Patient Meals in a timely manner within Food Safety guidelines. UHL provides Breakfast, Lunch & Supper to over 1800 patients per day. Which includes Snacks, Beverages & Special Dietary requirements. Observing; Trust policies and processes Food Safety Management Systems Local processes Food Safety Policies ### Main duties of the job Transporting the Patient Meals from the Catering Department to the Ward for evening meal service, checking arrival temperatures. Cooking the meals on the Ward using microwaves, using a probes and wipes and completing the Food Safety paperwork Checking that each patient has received a Meal, which could include taking an order, collecting the items and continue cooking until Ward is complete Cleaning of the Ward Kitchen after service Returning the used crockery and cutlery to the Catering Department and Washing up, using an industrial dishwasher Recording and disposing of all food waste Departmental Cleaning, which includes dismantling the Dishwasher and reassembling. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities Visiting Wards and collecting meal orders directly from patients using an electronic collation system (SAFFRON) by the means of a hand-held tablet Delivering meals to wards/departments via trolleys, Regen Ovens and in Cam carts in the set time frame for the patient meal service. Collection of dirty and used cutlery in/on trolleys or Cam Carts in a timely manner. Completing meal service at ward level Minimal food preparation as required in the main production kitchen. Working in the wash up area of the kitchen, using a machine dish wash and also manually washing up when required. Able to accurately record and monitor temperatures to required frequencies. Ensuring that foods are checked for suitability for special diets. Reporting any faults or defects of equipment or kitchen area to your supervisor, ensuring that any equipment is taken out of use and labelled do not use. Picking and packing and preparation of patient meal trays for meal service, adhering to Trust Food Safety Management Policies and Procedures at all times when required. Working within chilled areas and in wet environments. Responsibility for ensuring the high standards of cleanliness is maintained throughout the work area adhering to Trust policies and procedures. To carry out cleaning tasks, both specific and generic, to prescribed work schedules for designated areas, in line with Trust policies and procedures. To adhere to Trust Infection Control Prevention and Control of Substances Hazard to Health (COSHH) policies in carrying out cleaning tasks. To adhere to the Trust colour coding system to prevent cross infection. Ensuring the correct and economical use of materials and cleaning chemicals seeking advice from the Team Lead if in any doubt. To remove and dispose of food, cardboard, and household waste adhering to Waste regulations and Trust policies and procedures. Ensure all equipment is cleaned after use and stored securely. Ensure all cleaning products are stored securely. Report to your Team Lead any incidents, accidents, mishaps. Preparing meal trays and regeneration of patient meals at ward level adhering to Trust food safety management policies and procedures at all times Recording meal temperatures prior to service delivery Responsibility for the ward kitchen/regeneration area ensuring high standards of cleanliness are maintained Operating a ‘Clean as you go’ process within working environment. ### Applicant requirements The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people 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. ## Person Specification ### Skills **Essential** - Understanding of a range of routine work processes. Requiring a combination of on-the-job training and a period of induction - Adhere to policies and procedures. - Is able to propose improvements to working practices within own work area. ### Experience **Essential** - Able to carry out instructions and duties as detailed in the job description. - To Achieve CIEH Level 2 in Food Safety within 3 months. To Achieve within 3 years NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in support services and customer care **Desirable** - Previous experience of working within a healthcare environment. - Catering experience - CIEH Level 2 in Food Safety - NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in support services and customer care ### Training & Qualifications **Essential** - Must be able to attend Trust induction and any relevant training that is required for this position. ### Planning and organisation skills **Essential** - Planning and organisation of daily/weekly work tasks/activities - Is guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs), good practice and established precedents understanding what standards are to be achieved. ### Equality, Diversity and Inclusion **Essential** - Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs. - All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others. ### Communication and relationship skills **Essential** - Have a good standard of the English language including both written and oral communication skills and able to provide and receive routine information orally, in writing or electronically to inform work colleagues. - Must be able to use an electronic hand held tablet, after training, to collect patient meal orders. Provide menu information/guidance directly to patients, relatives and ward teams - Ability to work as a team member or on own initiative ### Other requirements specific to the role **Essential** - Able to work in a busy environment. - Working to deadlines safely in a care environment. - Working in cold and wet conditions. - Required to work within an unpredictable and demanding environment requiring concentration when undertaking work tasks. - Flexible approach to working practices - Must be able to attend Trust induction and any relevant training that is required for this post. ### Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours **Essential** - Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s Values and Behaviours ## Documents - [employee benefits (pdf, 578.5kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2350) - [patient catering assistant (pdf, 333.7kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10573479) - [understanding your right to work in the uk (pdf, 1.1mb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2349) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.