Overview
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Catering Assistant
The closing date is 29 September 2025
Blandford Hospital catering team run a busy kitchen and have a key role in providing nutritional meals to 24 patients.
Our dining room also caters for staff, visitors and local community.
Due to retirement, we are looking for a motivated catering assistant to join our friendly dedicated catering team.
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
This post is part of the [Facilities & Estates / Procurement] Service that Dorset Healthcare may transfer to an NHS wholly owned subsidiary company, from November 2025 or later. This is an exciting opportunity to join a developing, expanding, organisation with a strong commitment to NHS values and putting patients first. The NHS wholly owned subsidiary will continue to offer NHS Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions, including NHS pensions, to staff who transfer as well as new staff it recruits itself.
Main duties of the job
* A catering assistant will be responsible for the preparation of salads, sandwiches and vegetables.
* Counter service, serving meals drinks and snacks.
* Assist in the plating of patient meals.
* Washing up and other general kitchen duties
* Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness within the catering department.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Person Specification
Knowledge,Skills & Training
* Level 2 certificate in food hygiene or working towards
* Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
Finance & Resources
* Knowledge of Stock Control procedures and methods
Additional requirements
* Demonstrate skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively
Experience
* Previous experience in a similar role
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 name
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
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