About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Service Assistant to join the team on Rydon Ward, a busy acute mental health inpatient service supporting adults with a wide range of mental health needs. In this important role, you will help provide a clean, safe and welcoming ward environment while supporting the delivery of meals and refreshments for patients.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in supporting patient recovery by maintaining high standards of cleanliness, infection prevention and hospitality across the ward. The successful candidate will be organised, reliable and compassionate, with a commitment to delivering excellent service and working collaboratively with colleagues, patients and visitors.
Main duties of the job
- Maintain a high standard of cleanliness throughout the ward, including patient bedrooms, bathrooms, communal areas, offices and external ward areas.
- Support infection prevention and control measures through routine and deep-cleaning activities as required.
- Prepare and serve meals and beverages for patients using a reheated meal service, ensuring food hygiene standards are maintained at all times.
- Wash up and maintain a clean, organised kitchen environment.
- Order and monitor food and cleaning supplies, maintaining adequate stock levels.
- Carry out laundry duties, including handling deliveries, storing supplies and managing soiled linen.
- Participate in cleaning audits and support the monitoring of cleaning standards across the ward.
- Attend ward meetings and training sessions, contributing positively to the wider ward team.
- Maintain accurate records and use computer systems for ordering, training and audit activities.
- Work respectfully and professionally with patients, visitors and colleagues, promoting a welcoming and recovery-focused environment.
About us
As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development. You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds. Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London. There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Service Assistant is an integral member of the Rydon Ward team, supporting the delivery of a safe, clean and therapeutic environment for patients receiving acute mental health care. The post holder will work closely with ward staff to ensure all areas of the ward are maintained to a consistently high standard, helping to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections and supporting patient wellbeing.
Key responsibilities include undertaking scheduled cleaning activities throughout the ward, ensuring the safe use and storage of cleaning products, participating in environmental audits and contributing to infection prevention initiatives. The post holder will also be responsible for maintaining cleaning equipment and ensuring waste is handled and disposed of safely and appropriately.
The role includes supporting the ward's catering service by preparing and serving meals and refreshments, operating kitchen equipment, maintaining food hygiene standards and ensuring dining areas remain clean and welcoming. Full training will be provided.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 2 in Housekeeping and a valid Food Hygiene Certificate, or willingness to work towards.
Desirable
- Manual Handing.
- Basic computer skills.
Experience
Essential
- Food preparation (n.b. the bulk of food preparation is cook / freeze preparation, which does not require advanced cooking skills).
- Health and Safety awareness.
Desirable
- Experience of mental health difficulties.
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
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Wellsprings Hospital
Cheddon Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7AU
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)