About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced catering co-ordinator to join our Hospice Bank. At St Cuthberts, we provide compassionate specialist palliative and end-of-life care to patients and support to their families. We are looking for a dedicated and caring Bank Catering Co-ordinator to join our team and be responsible for all areas of food production, maintaining the highest standards in order to meet both patient and our coffee shop requirements. You will work closely with colleagues across clinical and non-clinical teams to ensure the smooth running of all areas of the kitchen and create a welcoming environment that supports the dignity, comfort, and wellbeing of patients and their loved ones.
Main duties of the job
Duties
Organize and coordinate catering services for patients, visitors, and staff, ensuring timely delivery of meals and refreshmentsCollaborate with kitchen staff to manage daily food preparation schedules and special dietary requirementsMaintain high standards of hygiene, safety, and cleanliness in all catering areas in compliance with health regulationsAssist with setting up dining areas for events or special occasions, creating a welcoming atmosphereCommunicate effectively with team members to ensure smooth operation of catering services and address any issues promptlyMonitor stock levels of catering supplies and place orders as needed to ensure availabilitySupport the delivery of dementia-friendly and senior care-focused meal options tailored to individual needsQualifications
Previous experience in coordinating a commercial kitchenPrevious experience of planning menus and ordering provisions within agreed budget allocationNVQ Level 3 in catering & Food hygiene certificateThis role requires a DBS check, we will do this for you.
If you are interested and would like to learn more about this opportunity to join the HR Team, please contact Emma Bell - [email protected]
Closing date for applications is 25th September 2026, but we reserve the right to close the advert earlier if we have a high volume of applications.
About us
About us: St Cuthberts Hospice provides holistic care for patients with life limiting illnesses. Our 10 bedded palliative care In Patient Unit provides individualised care planned to support the total wellbeing of each person, taking into account their physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Our Living Well Centre delivers groups and activities to enable people with life limiting illnesses cope better with their health and wellbeing and support them to regain control of their life. We value the contribution of all our workforce comprising of over 90 staff and around 300 volunteers. We are an equal opportunities employer and believe in treating everyone with dignity and respect, encouraging applications from all sectors of the community.
Our Values: Compassionate, Respect, Integrity, Professionalism, Choice, Reputation. These define who we are and guide what we do to ensure the highest quality care for those accessing our services and the highest quality experience for staff working here.
Job description Job responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Communication and relationships
Liaise with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of all areas of the kitchen Communicate with patients, staff, volunteers, visitors, carers and external suppliers to ensure effective and efficient service delivery Responsible for supporting and motivating the kitchen volunteers
Analytical and judgement skills
Make judgements involving straight forward job related situations
Planning and organisational skills
Manage own time effectively, delegate and prioritise work load to volunteers Plan and co-ordinate hospitality for small and large catering requirements Ensure that day to day activities such as the tea trolley are coordinated with the nursing team Plan and develop menus in consultation with nursing staff and patients taking into account any dietary and allergen special requirements. Work with cleaning schedules for the kitchen areas and ensure cleanliness is of the highest standards. Ensure all work areas are kept clean and tidy
Physical skills
Use a range of basic kitchen tools and machinery as well as standard catering equipment
Patient/Client Care
Assists patients/relatives with menus and meal choices
Policy and Service Development Ensure personal hygiene, health and safety procedures are adhered to Comply with Hospice policies and procedures May comment on proposed change which applies to own area of work
Financial and Physical Resources Responsible for stock control and food ordering, ensuring best practice at all times Contribute to the identification and reduction of food wastage Exercise personal duty of care when using kitchen equipment Ensure all kitchen equipment is switched off and regularly maintained Report as necessary any faults re: equipment or office accommodation and ensure the safety and security of the building is met
Human Resources Responsible for providing advice and support to new or less experienced employees or volunteers in own area of work Attend mandatory training and training courses related to duties of the post ensuring regular updating Maintain confidentiality in relation to all work matters
Information Resources
Ensure food records are carried out as required by Health & Safety and Environmental health standards and best practice
Research and Development
Continually look for ways to improve the quality of the service one provides to guests, patients, visitors and volunteers
Freedom to Act
Works within established procedures and work is supervised EFFORT & ENVIRONMENT
Physical
There is a frequent requirement for standing in a restricted working position for a substantial proportion of the working day
Mental
Concentration is required when undertaking checklists and records in line with Environmental Health requirements and during the preparation and production of food
Emotional
Exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances is rare Ability to work to tight schedules
Working Conditions
Exposure to heat, humidity and noise as well as exposure to risks entailed in handling very hot foods, kitchen utensils and equipment Take appropriate action to minimise any risks
Data Protection and Confidentiality
All employees have a responsibility in line with information governance to maintain confidentiality and ensure the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 are applied to patients, clients, staff, volunteers and Hospice business information, including electronic information. Only information required to fulfil the duties of the role should be accessed by the post holder. All employees have a responsibility to use electronic systems in a way that preserves the dignity and privacy of people, helps to ensure services of the highest quality, and is compliant with the law and Hospice policies and procedures
Health and Safety
The Hospice will take all reasonably practical steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees while at work. Employees will familiarise themselves with the Health and Safety Policy and procedure as well as the fire procedures and ensure a safe working environment for self and others in line with these.
Safeguarding
All employees within the Hospice have a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and ensure they are protected from harm. All employees should make themselves aware of the policies and procedures of safeguarding, take personal responsibility as far as is reasonably practicable, to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, complete statutory and mandatory training and take appropriate action as set out in the Hospices policies and procedures. Infection Control
All employees have a responsibility to ensure the risk of infection to themselves, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:
Attending mandatory training and role specific infection prevention education and training Challenging poor infection prevention and control practices Ensuring their own compliance with Hospice Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedure.
Equal Opportunities
The Hospice welcomes all persons without regard to race, religion or belief, age, gender re-assignment, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, marriage or civil partnership, physical or mental disability. The Hospice aims to provide services in a manner that enables all members of the community to access them. Employees must behave in a non-judgemental manner that respects the differing needs and cultures of others.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Ability to work unsupervised and to provide nutritious, well presented home cooked meals of good quality to meet clients needs Knowledge of Environmental Health regulations Knowledge of COSHH Good organisational skills and ability to work to timeframes
Desirable
Motivational skills Supervisory skills Knowledge of allergens
Qualifications Essential
General standard of education including literacy and numeracy Job related training NVQ level 3 in catering Food hygiene certificate
Desirable
First Aid
Experience Essential
Experience of planning menus and ordering provisions within agreed budget allocation Experience of coordinating a commercial kitchen
Desirable
Experience of cooking for special dietary requirements Experience of cooking for small buffets
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 Cuthbert’s Hospice
Address St. Cuthbert's Hospice
Park House Road
Durham
DH1 3QF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.stcuthbertshospice.com/ (Opens in a new tab)