About this role
Job summary
Various Catering Bank Positions
We have an exciting opportunity for catering Bank position to cover all areas of our catering department, Patient Catering Ward Host, Patient Catering Porter/Assistant and Retail Catering Assistant.
We are looking for individuals that can work varying shifts Monday - Sunday across different departments.
To provide high standards of both food and customer services to patients, Staff and visitors in accordance to best care practices.
Duties will include providing breakfast, lunch and supper meal time services including beverages whilst ensuring the ward and kitchen environments are kept to an acceptable level of cleanliness.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an assessment day on the 11th July 2026 at Northampton General Hospital.
Main duties of the job
Ward Host
As a patient catering host you will help to enhance our patient well-being and their experience in the hospital. Working closely with other hospital staff you will be expected to deliver a great level of customer service to all patients, visitors and staff. Ensuring a high quality food and beverage service is provided (Provision of meals and hot or cold beverages). Patient Catering Porter/Assistant
Please note this role is in an Assembly Kitchen
The provision of a high quality and professional food and beverage service to all patients To ensure all Codes of Practice for Health & Safety, Food Safety & Hygiene, COSHH and HACCP are adhered too. To carry out Portering of food around the hospital site by the use of trollies and electrical vehicles, manual moving of food trollies. Retail Catering Assistant
The work involves general catering duties including preparation of food, service of food to patients, staff and the public, use of EPOS systems and the cleaning of and use of equipment and machinery, and the operation of mechanical industrial type dishwashing machines.
About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage.
UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Job description Job responsibilities
Ward Host
To communicate with Patients and visitors over their food choices and issues with the service that is being delivered in a tactful and courteous manner. To maintain a pleasant customer focused manner at all times. Carry out cleaning duties and maintain hygiene levels to ensure Food Hygiene Legislation, Environmental Health Officer requirements and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Procedures are conformed to and maintained. To ensure all Codes of Practice for Food Safety, Health & Safety, Infection prevention, COSHH and HACCP are adhered to. To monitor levels of food waste and report back to the Patient Catering Supervisors/ Co-ordinators. To report maintenance defects and problems immediately to the Patient Catering Supervisors / Team Co-ordinators. Security of all Trust property when on duty, in accordance with Departmental Policy. You will be responsible for providing an efficient food and beverage service to patients on wards ensuring that food and beverages meets patients medical, dietary and cultural needs. You will help to prepare the service areas with the necessary equipment, such as crockery, and condiments. In addition, you will be responsible, maintaining a high standard of hygiene and food handling, whilst ensuring all food served to patients is easily accessible. Uniform, on the job training and full Trust induction will be given so experience although desired is not essential. Ensuring a high quality food and beverage service is provided (Provision of meals and hot or cold beverages). Ensure correct storage, labelling and rotation of chilled produce is followed and relevant temperature monitoring is undertaken. To maintain food quality and service at all times and to action any defects immediately and proactively. To maintain a pleasant customer focused manner at all times. Patient Catering Porter/Assistant
Carry out cleaning duties and maintain hygiene levels, to ensure Food Hygiene Legislation and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point procedures are conformed to and maintained, and the operation of mechanical industrial type dishwashers.. Ensure correct storage, labelling and rotation of all chilled produce and monitoring of refrigerated and heated storage equipment To always maintain food quality and excellent customer service, and to action any defects immediately and proactively Assembly of Patient meals, desserts and Snacks as directed. To safely use all catering related equipment and to report any maintenance defects and problems immediately to the estates department To carry out portering of food around the hospital site by the use of trollies and electrical vehicles To monitor levels of waste and report them to the Supervisor Operation of the electric transportation vehicles in line with the Trusts policies Cleaning of floors/surfaces and machinery as identified in departments cleaning schedule. Collection and distribution of function requests. Security of all Trust property when on duty, in accordance with Departmental Policy. To always maintain a pleasant customer focus, providing Information about food choices taking into consideration cultural and dietary requirements. To contribute to the development of the Catering Service by putting forward suggestions for improvements Any other related tasks as identified by your Line Manager. To complete daily schedules, temperature records and timesheets via app-based software packages. Retail Catering Assistant
Carry out cleaning duties and maintain hygiene levels, to ensure Food Hygiene Legislation and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point procedures are conformed to and maintained. Ensure correct storage, labelling and rotation of all chilled produce and monitoring of refrigerated and heated storage equipment To maintain food quality and service at all times, and to action any defects immediately. Proactive preparation of meals, snacks and sandwiches as directed. To safely use all catering related equipment and to report any maintenance defects and problems immediately to the estates department. To monitor levels of waste and report them to the Supervisor. Cleaning of Floors/surfaces and machinery as identified in departments cleaning schedule. Security of all Trust property when on duty, in accordance with Departmental Policy. To maintain a pleasant customer focus manner at all times, providing assistance with food choices taking into consideration cultural and dietary requirements. To ensure all packaged food is provided with a date illustrating the contents and use by date. To contribute to the development of the Catering Service by putting forward suggestions for improvements. Any other related tasks as identified by your Line Manager. To complete daily schedules, temperature records and timesheets as directed
Person Specification
Education Essential
No formal education is required as on the job instruction, training and theoretical knowledge is provided. Therefore the ability to retain information and learning is essential together with excellent communication skills (oral and written). Be willing to undertake the Basic Food Hygiene Certificate and Allergen awareness
Desirable
Basic food Hygiene Certificate Allergen Awareness Certificate
Skills Essential
Able to undertake the frequent physical duties of the role such a moving laden meal trolleys, carrying trays of food, operation of dishwashing etc. Ability to multitask effectively and move from one task to another rapidly when priorities change. Ability to remain calm under pressure or challenging situations. Ability to follow instructions and retain information and learning given, then to put this into practice.. Excellent customer service skills. Ability to develop rapport with staff, patients and visitors
Knowledge Essential
Previous experience of working in a food production environment Experience of working in a customer facing industry Knowledge & Understanding of different dietary & cultural needs Knowledge of good health and safety practices Knowledge of food safety protocols Knowledge of Allergy awareness protocols
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Northampton General Hospital
Address Northampton General Hospital
Cliftonville Road
Northampton
NN1 5BD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)