Catering Assistant

Catering Assistant

Posted for St Francis Hospice

Posted by Volunteer Essex

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Volunteer Essex website to express your interest.

Aims: To carry out duties in the catering kitchen, Orange Café and associated areas. These duties include service of food, cleaning of premises and equipment, preparation of food items prior to service and preparing cooked meals for individuals on the ward at lunch and supper for Ward. The post requires taking cash, via the use of cash tills. Pot wash and working in the catering stores area are both essential parts of the role. Full training is given before these duties are undertaken.

Main Tasks: Kitchen food preparation and service delivery

• Preparation relevant ward and café hot and cold foods such as the main meals of the day, soups, main meals, salads, sandwiches, cold and hot sweets etc. prior to food service.
• Preparing workstations for the safe preparation/service of meals being sure that all company policies and compliance procedures are followed.
• Prepare food for individuals in our care's meal trays prior to food service.
• Assisting chefs as and when required with food preparation in readiness for cooking.
• When necessary, assisting with taking items to and collecting items from ward and other departments as required and loading/unloading and movement of meal service trolleys.
• Carrying out cash handling duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures following approved training. 

Food safety and compliance

• Work to set Health & Safety and Food Safety policies and procedures.
• Cleaning kitchen premises including floors, walls, sinks, wash hand basins, work surfaces, cupboards etc. to the required hygiene standards. Cleaning large items of equipment including ovens, microwave, fryers etc. washing of crockery, cutlery and other utensils and small items of equipment including trolley etc. 
• Maintain standards of food hygiene at all times to include relevant completion of legal and statutory paperwork and following company policy and food safety guidelines.
• Ensure high standards of personal hygiene in accordance with food safety legislation.
• Report any defects to foodstuffs, buildings or equipment that may post a risk to food safety to a senior member of staff.
• To immediately report any incidents of pests to senior members of staff.
• Ensure that all day to day food safety due diligence records are completed timely and are filled correctly in readiness for processing weekly.
• Report any serious food safety breaches in a reasonable, prompt and rea-active manner to ensure that the Chef Manager is notified as soon as  reasonably practical. 

Health and Safety

• Wearing the relevant and correct uniform, footwear and minimum jewellery in accordance with food safety legislation. 
• The safe operation of a variety of equipment e.g. ovens, fryers, mixers, Merrychef, dishwashers etc. in line with safety guidelines and relevant training. 
• The correct use of knives and other cutting equipment as directed through in-house training and ensure that knives are well maintained and replaced where required. 
• Adhere to and follow all company policies in relation in Health & Safety, systems of work, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and manual handling.
• Report defects to buildings or equipment to a senior member of staff.
• Ensure and adhere to all relevant health and safety measures

Customer Service

• Be a client-facing representative of the catering offer at SFH, promoting an inclusive, friendly attitude to all catering service users.
• Taking direction from the Chef Manager, be sure that the Ward Services are meet in accordance with both the individual in our care and clinical expectations.
• Lead by example to promote excellent customer service and report any issues that arise e.g. complaints, menu, allergenic/PPDS queries etc.
• Ensure that all service users receive the best possible service by interacting and communication to best practice standards at all times.
• Act in a courteous manner to all individuals receiving care, staff visitors and work colleagues.

Benefits

• We have mandatory training to ensure you are well prepared for your volunteering journey and to ensure the safeguarding and wellbeing of everyone at the hospice.
• A Volunteer Supervisor will be available to provide support and guidance.
• The opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
• Feel a sense of accomplishment through supporting the work of Saint Francis Hospice. 

What skills do I need?

• Up to date awareness of Catering Procedures and Food Safety (desirable)
• Experience of working in the Catering Industry in the last 3 years (desirable)
• Experience in healthcare or hospice environment (desirable)
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills

Personal Qualities

• Ability to work within a busy and at times stressful environment
• Ability to promote a professional attitude in all aspects of communication with customers (people receiving care, visitors etc.)