Job overview
We are recruiting a General Assistant to support with decanting and topping up. This post is for 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Flexible hours are also available on a bank contract.
The post holder will have previous experience of cleaning to a high standard, take pride in their work and have knowledge of food hygiene principles.
The Catering Department at University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides food and beverages to patients at both our St. Richards and Worthing Sites.
As a whole department we have front of house staff who work at ward level interacting with the patients, as well as the back of house staff who produce, assemble and deliver food to ward level.
You will be working within the kitchen production team which produce and supply ambient, chilled and cook frozen meals to patients at both Worthing and St. Richards Hospitals.
The CPU at St. Richards is the main production kitchen where food is produced, stored and distributed.
As part of this team, you will be supported by chefs, general assistants, stores persons and management to ensure the kitchen is maintained to a high standard at all times.
The staff are hardworking, friendly, work as a team and will support one another.
Should you require Additional Support with completing your Application, please contact the Facilities and Estates Recruitment Team via email below:
Main duties of the job
As a general assistant your role will involve cleaning within a large production kitchen as well as packing and delivering food orders for ward level.
The role requires a level of manual dexterity, ability to push trolleys to and from ward level as well as other manual handling activities.
You will be working in a chilled/ frozen environment, picking and packing foodstuff to order, and delivering to ward level.
The post holder will have knowledge of health and safety within a kitchen environment and be familiar with good food hygiene practices.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
As a general assistant/ kitchen porter you will work under the supervision and guidance of the chefs as well as your team leader.
Main duties include:
1. Cleaning
2. Packing chilled and frozen foods to order.
3. Stock rotation
4. Lidding and labelling foods
5. Decanting frozen foods such as vegetables.
6. Moving meal trolleys to ward level and loading the regeneration oven.
7. Preparation of chilled foods.
-- Please see the Job Description & Person Specs --
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Experience of cleaning to a high standard
Desirable criteria
9. Experience working in a busy kitchen environment
Qualifications
Essential criteria
10. Good standard of English literacy and numeracy skills and able to follow instructions both verbally and written
Communication
Essential criteria
11. Able to take instruction and direction
12. Teamplayer
Desirable criteria
13. Customer service
Analytical
Essential criteria
14. Able to complete paperwork ie cleaning rota
Planning and Organisational
Essential criteria
15. Adaptable, able to be flexible to service needs
16. Can work to timescales
Patient 1st
Essential criteria
17. Demonstrates Patient First Principles
physical
Essential criteria
18. manual handling
19. physical tasks eg: long periods of standing
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
20. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
21. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications