Job summary
A great opportunity has arisen to join our professional catering teams at Gloucestershire Hospitals. Each year, our hard working staff prepare, cook and serve over a million meals for patients, staff and visitors from our production kitchen.
The role of the catering assistant is to ensure that patients, staff and visitors are provided with fast and efficient food and beverage service, who are passionate about food and as equally passionate about delivering excellent customer service.
Hours are part time varying from 8 hour contracts up to 30 hour contracts. The shifts vary form hours- hours the majority of which are either afternoons or evenings.
Please note this job will attract GMS Terms and Conditions of Service (TCS) not Agenda for Change as stated.
Please see attached TCS for reference
Main duties of the job
o Preparation for service, portioning and presentation of meals, liaising with nursing staff to ensure high standards are achieved consistently.
o To undertake general cleaning duties within catering department and associated areas, following safe systems of work and achieving agreed standards
o To wash up cutlery, crockery, utensils, equipment and containers, ensuring a clean and safe food and beverage service is available at all times
o Provide good customer service and build good relationships with our customers, greet customers and approach them in a way that is natural and fits the individual situation
About us
GMS is a forward looking and enterprising organisation with a clear vision for the future of delivering high performing services with a focus on continuous improvement. Our 720-strong team are responsible for developing, maintaining and operating those facilities to support the needs of our staff and customers, and to achieve GMS's provide essential facilities management and estates services to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, ensuring a high quality environment for the benefit of staff, visitors and patients. Specialising in healthcare, we have a deep understanding of the sector and what is required to keep non-clinical operations running smoothly, now and in the future.
GMS vision: Together, exceptional every day.
GMS values :
1. excellence: we are proactive, enthusiastic and put the customer first in everything we do
2. inclusive: we work as a team and value everyone's contribution
3. integrity: we are honest, principled and reliable
4. listening: we are welcoming and are interested in other people's thoughts and feelings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At the direction of the Assistant Manager, prepare and assemble a range of salads, sandwiches, cold buffet items and desserts for patients and retail outlets as per production schedules, ensuring standard recipes and production methods are maintained.
Patient Meal Services
To be responsible for food and beverage services at ward level, prepare patients beverages and snacks and clearing up of patients beverage service in accordance to the work schedule.
Provide ward based catering services and individual trayed meal service, the regeneration process. Preparation for service, portioning and presentation of meals and beverages, checking for specialist diets and liaising with nursing staff to ensure the correct items are provided.
Prepare for washing up both at ward level or in the catering department, using chemicals and equipment following standard operating procedures and COSHH regulations
Responsible for the safe and secure storage of food stock for the ward pantrys checking dates and removing out of date stock. Assist GMS colleagues to establish accurate food stock levels. Report low stock levels to your supervisor for: food, consumables and cleaning products.
Retail Services
Provide good customer service and build good relationships with our customers, greet customers and approach them in a way that is natural and fits the individual situation
The post holder will have an understanding of all GMS products for sale, where they are located, brand names, place of manufacture and price.
Listen to customer feedback by listening to what the customer is objecting about, confirm the validity of the concern and offer a solution.
Operate cash register and alternative payment system in GMS retail areas, reconcile monies ensuring that standing operating procedures are applied and followed. Where appropriate to ensure the security of cash takings whilst at the same time not putting oneself at risk.
Clean and replenish the vending machines on a regular basis, suggest improvements to the service as trends change, completing all relevant documentation and sales information.
Report any sightings of pests or damage to the fabric of the buildings that could provide potential harbourage to pests.
To observe and comply with Food Hygiene & Health and Safety Regulations at all times. Also responsible for adhering to all GMS policies, procedures and guidelines as appropriate.
To wash up cutlery, crockery, utensils, equipment and containers, ensuring a clean and safe food and beverage service is available at all times
To undertake general cleaning duties within ward areas, catering department and retail areas, following safe systems of work and achieving agreed standards
Follow the correct use and care of equipment, reporting any damage, malfunction or maintenance requirements to the GMS help desk and advise the supervisor of action taken with documented information on the job number.
To be responsible for undertaking ward fridge temperatures and recording all the information accurately to ensure compliance with food hygiene legislation, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points requirements (HACCP)
Communicate effectively with patients especially when completing beverage service and be aware of specific dietary requirements.
To report maintenance faults and building fabric issues to your Supervisor in accordance with local procedure. Report all sighting of pests to the GMS helpdesk coordinator in line with local procedures and inform your supervisor
To ensure patients privacy and dignity is maintained throughout your work
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Maths GCSE Level 2 (Training is offered via the ad adult learning via GMS/training department)
2. English GCSE Level 2 (Training is offered via the ad adult learning via GMS/training department)
3. level 1 or higher- Food Safety Certificate (Training is offered via GMS/training department)
Desirable
4. Basic Health and Safety
Experience
Essential
5. Ability to work to deadline and complete tasks
6. Be physically fit
7. Manual Handling
8. Customer Service Skills
Knowledge / Skills
Essential
9. Organisational Skills
10. Communication Skills
11. Ability to use initiative
12. "Hands on" flexible approach
13. Be able to work as part of a team for GMS and as part of a wider team working with others