About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Kitchen Assistant to join our team at St Margaret's Hospice.
We are looking to expand our catering services to strengthen up and coming future projects.
You will provide outstanding support to a busy kitchen which will include food preparation, cooking of meals and general cleaning throughout whilst complying with HACCP management.
We are looking for someone who:
Understands food safety processes, in line with environmental health guidelines.Has a positive attitude, is highly motivated and enthusiastic.Is willing to go above and beyond to ensure that our patients receive outstanding care.Experience of working within a similar environment would be preferable as the role will require interaction with patients
Main duties of the job
You'll support the Chefs with food preparation, creation of meal development, serving meals, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring high standards of food hygiene throughout the main kitchen and kitchenette areas.
The rota is fairly flexible within reason. You will predominantly (but not exclusively) be working 4 days over 7. This is inclusive of weekends when required to meet the demands of the service.
Key duties include:
Assisting with food preparation and basic cooking tasks.Serving meals and maintaining a clean, safe kitchen environment.Correctly storing and labelling food.Washing catering equipment and carrying out other relevant cleaning duties.Preparing and maintaining of rooms for functions and events.
About us
You won't just be joining a fantastic team you'll become part of a welcoming, community-minded charity making a real difference every day.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment alongside a range of benefits including:
Holiday entitlement
33 days including bank holidays, rising to 35 days after 1 year, and increasing with length of service (pro-rata if part-time)Ability to buy and sell annual leave
Pension scheme
NHS pension continuation where applicable*6% employer / 5% employee contribution for non-NHS staff
Additional Benefits
Life assurance cover (2x salary)Health Cash PlansEmployee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access, counselling, wellbeing support, and legal/financial adviceBlue Light Discount CardEnhanced maternity leave*Excellent learning and development opportunitiesFree on-site parking in Yeovil and TauntonOpportunities to volunteer and support fundraising initiatives
*Eligibility criteria applies
Job description Job responsibilities
When required, take responsibility for the ordering, preparation, cooking and serving of patient meals and other catering requests. Accept deliveries and check for accuracy against delivery note, report any discrepancies to the chef on duty Clear and clean equipment, utensils and wash up crockery/cutlery and ensure the wash up area is kept clean and tidy Maintain personal and catering standards in accordance with HACCP guidelines and current food safety legislation To inspect catering equipment before use and report any defects vi the Estates defect log Be able to work to time schedules and under pressure when the kitchen is busy Understand food allergen laws and demonstrate knowledge and compliance with current legislation and hospice food safety and allergen policy Clean all areas of the Kitchen, ensuring cleaning schedules are followed and accurate records are kept in line with national food hygiene standards To have a full understanding of all kitchen equipment, consumables, materials, and correct use of cleaning agents Ensure all cleaning equipment is left clean and in a safe working condition. Report any defects in equipment and remove from service via Estates defect log Replenish all consumable products as necessary Demonstrate good organisational skills and be able to prioritise effectively to meet the needs of the service Take reasonable care of your health and safety and that of others when working with equipment, e.g., floor cleaning equipment, moving furniture, and manoeuvring loaded cleaning trolley. Handle and dispose of domestic, recyclable waste in line with Department of Health 07-01 Safe Management of Healthcare Waste and Hospice Health & Safety Policy. Report incident, near miss and accident via electronic recording system Support and assist kitchen volunteers Ensure good catering practice to minimise waste Undertake cash handling duties which include electronic payments in line with Hospice Cash handling policy and procedure
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Basic literacy and numeracy skills. Basic IT Knowledge and Skills Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate or willing to work towards within the first month of employment Food Standards Agency Food Allergen and Intolerance Training or willing to work towards within the month of employment Ability to travel in order to cover holiday, absence, and support events at Yeovil.
Desirable
Knowledge of National Colour Coding NVQ1 in Catering or similar qualification
Self Awareness Essential
Deliver work to agreed deadlines Effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities Communicate effectively in written and verbal with patients, families and staff Compassionate and respectful to others Time management and organisation skills are essential for this post
Working with others Essential
Willingness to work as part of a team and support colleagues or independently Good listening skills and demonstrate empathy Show compassion to patients and their families
Outcome and Results Essential
Experience of working in a catering environment and demonstrate an understanding of food preparation and storage Physically capabilities, this role includes an element of manual handling of loads Understanding of food preparation and storage Numerical skills to be able to deal with information for stock levels and receipt of income for the department Positive approach to learning new skills
Desirable
Knowledge of the hospice and working in other healthcare environments Experience/ and or knowledge or working with dietary restrictions
Leading in your area Essential
This role involves working to a shift pattern and therefore must be able to have a flexible approach to working arrangements Work under the direction of the chef on duty Awareness of the need for personal hygiene to meet requirements of food safety legislation Have knowledge of food safety law including allergens and Natasha Law Have knowledge of working with COSHH related products used in Catering Positive attitude towards the delivery of service Prepared to be flexible in respect of tasks and duties
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name St Margaret's Somerset Hospice
Address Heron Drive
Bishops Hull
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5HA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/home-page (Opens in a new tab)