Catering Assistant (Patient Meals Services)

Rdehospital; Exeter; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a Catering Assistant to support the Patient Meal Service at their Exeter location. Key responsibilities include loading, transporting, and delivering meals while ensuring food safety and maintaining hygiene standards. The role requires excellent organizational and communication skills, the ability to work efficiently under pressure, and a commitment to providing high-quality service to patients. This permanent position offers a salary of £24,465 per annum pro rata with a working pattern of 30 hours per week.

Benefits

Salary sacrifice options

NHS Pension Scheme

Staff discounts on shopping

Car lease schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or a food-related environment is preferred.
• Ability to maintain high standards of hygiene and safety.

Responsibilities

• Support the Patient Meal Service under supervision.
• Prepare salads and fresh produce according to hygiene standards.
• Ensure proper loading and delivery of meal trolleys.
• Maintain cleanliness in the kitchen and on wards.

Skills

Food hygiene standards

Organizational skills

Customer care

Teamwork

Communication

Ability to work under pressure

Job description

Role Summary

Working within the Catering Department, the post holder will be required to support the Patient Meal Service under appropriate supervision and in accordance with established policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Assist with the loading, transportation, and delivery of meal trolleys throughout the hospital, ensuring food is served safely, at the correct temperature, and on time.

Prepare salads and fresh produce in line with food hygiene standards, including washing, cutting, portioning, and presentation requirements.

Work within the main kitchen wash-up area, ensuring crockery, utensils, and kitchen equipment are cleaned and sanitised to required standards.

Provide food and beverage services across all ward areas as required, supporting patient meal delivery, refreshments, and special dietary needs.

Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control at all times, in line with Trust policies and food safety legislation.

Ensure a professional and courteous approach when interacting with patients, visitors, and staff.

About the Role

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The post holder will be required to work both on the wards and within the Patient Meal Service kitchen, supporting the delivery of a high-quality catering service to patients.

Responsibilities include serving and delivering all food and beverage requirements to patients on the wards, ensuring meals are provided in a timely, safe, and courteous manner.

The post holder will be required to load, transport, and return meal trolleys, ensuring correct handling, temperature control, and food safety standards are maintained at all times.

Associated cleaning duties will be undertaken, including cleaning of trolleys, equipment, work areas, and ward pantries in line with infection control and food hygiene policies.

The post holder is expected to demonstrate excellent organisational and communication skills, working effectively as part of a team and independently when required.

The ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment is essential, while consistently delivering a high standard of customer care and a compassionate, patient-focused service.

Working Pattern:30 hours per week.Working 2 out of 3 weekends - hours are 10:30-6.30 on wards or if in kitchen 8-4pm and 12-8pm

Interview Date: week of 2nd March

For further information please contact:Natasha Faber, Patients Meal Service Manager on [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation TrustandNorthern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

About Us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more

It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.

• Salary Band 2: £24,465 per annum pro rata
• Frequency Annual
• Vacancy Reference 185-2738-12473
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 20 February, 2026
• Job Category Cleaning & Facilities