Patient Catering Ward Host

Transformationunitgm; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Chelmsford is seeking a Patient Catering Ward Host to join their team. This role involves preparing and serving meals to improve patient experiences while being a friendly face on the ward. Candidates should possess good organisational skills, flexibility, and ideally a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate. Previous catering experience is preferred but not essential as full training will be provided. The position offers various shift patterns with a contract of 37.5 hours per week. Salary starts at £24,465 per annum.

Benefits

Access to training and support

Development opportunities

Responsibilities

• Help provide appropriate nutrition and hydration to all patients.
• Answer questions about food and drink products.
• Work as part of the Estates and Facilities Directorate.

Skills

Flexibility and adaptability

Good organisation skills

Ability to work effectively alone and as part of a team

Knowledge of effective food hygiene

Knowledge of Health and Safety, COSHH, Moving and Handling

Education

Good level of general education

Reasonable level of numeracy and literacy in English

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Main area: Catering Ward Host; Grade Band 2; Contract: Permanent; Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Various shift patterns and hours available from 7am to 3pm; Afternoon shifts from 3pm – 8pm; Evening shifts from 4.30pm – 8pm; weekend shifts available with enhancements). Job ref: 390-BR-EFM-0883.

Employer: Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Broomfield Town, Chelmsford
Salary: £24,465 Per Annum; Pro Rata for Part Time; Salary period: Yearly; Closing: 30/01/2026 23:59

Job title

Patient Catering Ward Host

Band

2

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the main acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), collaborating with health and care partners for the local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative. We collaborate with partners including Healthwatch organisations, voluntary and community sector organisations, and local authorities to support patients and staff.

Job overview

Are you a people person with a passion for food? Join our friendly and supportive Patient Catering team. While previous catering experience is preferred, enthusiasm and willingness to learn are essential, as you will receive full training before starting across the hospital as a representative of the Patient Catering Department.

In this role you will help improve patients’ experiences on the ward by preparing and serving high-quality meals and refreshments. You will be a friendly face on the ward for patients and staff, making this a sociable and rewarding role.

Please note: The hours for this vacancy are either DAYS 07:00–15:00, AFTERNOONS 15:00–20:00, or EVENINGS 16:30–20:00.

Main duties of the job

You will work with care teams to provide appropriate nutrition and hydration to all patients as part of their all-round care plans. You will be equipped to answer questions about the food and drink products you provide.

You will be a key member of the Estates and Facilities Directorate, helping to deliver high-quality services and facilities to support patient care at the Trust.

You will gain experience in a patient-focused environment while maintaining professional working relationships with internal and external colleagues.

Working for our organisation

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 serving a population of 1.2 million. We work with the MSE Health and Care Partnership to deliver local and specialist services, improving health and wellbeing in a compassionate, respectful, yet vibrant workplace for staff development and progression.

We offer a good working environment with flexible opportunities, and the chance to develop your career with access to training and support to succeed and progress.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full role information please see the attached Job Description.

We look forward to your application.

Person specification

Education

• Good level of general education
• Reasonable level of numeracy and literacy in English
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Skills and Aptitudes

• Flexibility and adaptability
• Good organisation skills
• Ability to work effectively alone and as part of a team
• Knowledge of the principles of effective food hygiene
• Knowledge of Health and Safety, COSHH, Moving and Handling

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values. The use of AI in applications is monitored, and you will be required to declare if AI has been used before submitting your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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