Ward Catering Assistant

Job overview

Specialist Eating Disorder In-patient Unit St Georges Hospital, Stafford

Ward Catering Assistant

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our Catering Team here on the Kinver Centre. The Kinver Centre is a specialist in-patient unit which treats people suffering from Anorexia Nervosa and who therefore find eating exceedingly difficult.

The role of the Ward Catering Assistant is to help prepare and cook the individualised meals prescribed by our Dietitians.

You must be able to work under pressure, have an eye for detail and a caring, non-judgmental approach towards people.

We offer excellent training facilities i.e. NVQ levels 2/3 in customer and care and food hygiene courses.

Main duties of the job

JOB PURPOSE: To work as part of the multidisciplinary team, specifically working closely with Dietitians, Occupational Therapists and Nursing Team to prepare, cook and serve individual meals to this client group.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities •    To ensure all menus are completed and choices made from each section of the menu. •    To cook and present individual meals and snacks to patients at designated times as per dietitian's assessment / unit guidelines including: •    Preparation of food – to agreed standards including food hygiene regulations. •    To be involved with dietitian & nursing team in regularly reviewing and adapting patient menus. •    Food service. •    Ensuring food delivered is of acceptable quality ie fresh salad, bread, milk etc. •    To ensure that all eating areas are suitably prepared for meal times, including serving trolley (as per unit guidelines). •    To present appetising and appealing meals while ensuring quantities are as stated by the dietitian. •    To maintain a clean kitchen and dining room. •    To ensure that adequate stock / supplies are available for mealtimes / snacks (as per patient / staff requirement). •    To monitor stock levels of all food stuffs i.e. dried / perishable, frozen. •    To order stocks as appropriate. •    To ensure high standards of food hygiene are always maintained. •    To monitor and record fridge / freezer temperature. •    To monitor and record food temperature. •    To ensure kitchen environment is kept clean and tidy. •    To ensure dining room is cleared at end of each meal that all unused food is removed and stored or disposed of accordingly and that the dining room is left clean and tidy for next meal. •    To ensure safe storage of food as detailed in Health and Safety Policy. •    Receive support and supervision on regular basis from identified members of the Eating Disorders Team. •    To have regular contact with patients on the unit including: •    Discussing new choices, obtaining views on catering service with dietitian. •    Maintain patient boundaries (as per protocol). •    To work as part of multidisciplinary team. •    To be non-judgmental and treat patients with respect. •    Report to Ward Manager any specific issues relating to patient contact. •    Maintain documentation ie menus, recipes as per standards. •    To undertake training as agreed with Ward Manager and Senior Hotel Services Manager. •    To undertake any other duties as required by the Ward Manager. •    It is expected that you will cover periods of absence for the other Ward Caterers on the unit. *Please see the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.*