Food Service Assistant

University Hospitals Sussex; Chichester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Chichester is looking for a dedicated Food Service Assistant to join their catering team. This part-time role involves taking meal orders and serving food to patients, requiring excellent communication skills and previous experience in a care setting. Candidates should possess a caring attitude and have knowledge of food safety. The position offers 33 hours per week with flexibility, contributing to the well-being of patients in a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Previous work experience in a hospital or care environment is essential.
• Ability to demonstrate a good understanding of catering for patients' needs.
• Experience in interacting directly with patients and taking meal orders.

Responsibilities

• Take meal orders and serve food and beverages to patients.
• Maintain cleanliness of the work environment and complete HACCP documentation.
• Communicate effectively with patients and ward staff to meet their food requirements.

Skills

Experience working with elderly people

Excellent communication skills

Knowledge of food safety

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Main area Food Service Assistant Grade Band 2 Contract Permanent: Part time, 33 hours per week Hours

• Part time
• Flexible working

33 hours per week (Between Monday and Sunday) Job ref 279-7605888-DEC25

Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site St Richard's Hospital Town Chichester Salary £24,465 Per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/01/2026 23:59

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard‑working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and 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, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and 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 and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the catering Team at St Richards hospital.

We are looking for a self‑motivated individual to join our team as a Food service assistant on our busy wards at St Richards Hospital working on a specialist unit.

We have 3 positions available, for 33 hours a week posts and Bank hours are also available, between Monday and Sunday.

• PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY.

Should you require Additional Support with completing your Application, Please contact the Facilities and Estates Recruitment Team via email below:

Applicants should have experience working with elderly people and have both knowledge and understanding to enable them to support their catering requirements, therefore it is essential that applicants have previous work experience in a hospital or care environment and are able to evidence their experience at the time of the interview, able to demonstrate a good understanding of this customer group and their needs, demonstrate and evidence a caring, patient attitude in line with our Trust values.

The role involves interacting directly with patients to take meal orders, serving hot and cold meals and serve beverages therefore excellent communication skills are essential.

Food service assistants are responsible for keeping their environment clean to a high standard, completing HACCP documentation and a basic understanding of COSHH and food safety is essential.

Food service assistants are required to use a range of equipment such as Ipads, Regen hot meal trolleys and beverage carts and whilst full training will be given to operate safely, applicants should be aware that the duration of their shift will be on their feet, pushing, pulling, bending and lifting while sometimes working in warm environments.

• PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

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.

• PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY.

Maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangements with ward staff, own team and other hospital departments.
Communicate effectively with patients and their relatives to ensure their food and beverage requirements are met.
To communicate in a courteous, co-operative and sympathetic manner with due regard for privacy, dignity and all times.
To read and understand written and verbal instructions, and complete HACCP records accurately.
Take instruction and direction from catering team leaders and senior staff on the ward.
Ensure daily orders are communicated in a timely manner, to enable the Catering Department to prepare and deliver food items on time.

Please see JD and PS for full details

Person specification

• Previous experience in a care environment (Hospital or care home)

Experience

• Previous Catering Experience

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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我们的 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.

Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigration 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

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non‑Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it 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 this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.