NHS
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Catering Assistant Recruitment closing date: 19 January 2026
Working evenings 4.45 pm to 8.00 pm – 16.25 hrs per week.
2 positions, working 2 out of 3 weekends.
As part of an effective team, you will assist in all food service areas and retail outlets as directed by your Team Leader or Line Manager, operating within established food hygiene and safety practices and within the principles of a flexible team approach.
Main duties of the job Service areas include all kitchen and dishwash sections, hospitality and retail sections including functions, restaurants, hospital shop, vending and any other related areas including Ellesmere Port Hospital.
You will provide excellent customer service to patients, staff and all visitors to the Trust, remaining professional, polite and helpful at all times.
Duties include cleaning premises and equipment, food preparation and packaging, food service, vending and ward trolley service.
Role includes undertaking duties in chilled and/or frozen working and storage environments, as appropriate.
Take part in the preparation of raw food materials to produce patients’ nutritional meals during their healthcare pathway at CoCH and in meal preparation for staff and Trust visitors throughout the week.
Help maintain a clean and hygienic food prep & meal cooking environment in line with National Standards of Cleanliness. Establish and maintain good working relationships across the wider catering team, and clear lines of communication with Supervisors, Ward Teams, Departmental staff and Visitors.
About us The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: base for community services that serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 5,916 staff (headcount), including temporary bank staff, and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000.
Job responsibilities See Job Description for further details. Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence at the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as, if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person Specification Qualifications
Numeracy and literacy skills, a basic standard of education.
Training to NVQ level 1 / 2.
Basic Food Hygiene Level 1 Certificate.
Food Safety Level 2 Certificate.
Knowledge and Experience
Enjoys working as part of a team.
Good knowledge of food safety & health & safety standards and a willingness to undertake additional training to maintain currency.
Has worked in a healthcare environment in the same capacity.
Knowledge of COSHH.
Knowledge of HACCP.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and therefore a submission will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Catering Assistant Recruitment closing date: 19 January 2026
Working evenings 4.45 pm to 8.00 pm – 16.25 hrs per week.
2 positions, working 2 out of 3 weekends.
As part of an effective team, you will assist in all food service areas and retail outlets as directed by your Team Leader or Line Manager, operating within established food hygiene and safety practices and within the principles of a flexible team approach.
Main duties of the job Service areas include all kitchen and dishwash sections, hospitality and retail sections including functions, restaurants, hospital shop, vending and any other related areas including Ellesmere Port Hospital.
You will provide excellent customer service to patients, staff and all visitors to the Trust, remaining professional, polite and helpful at all times.
Duties include cleaning premises and equipment, food preparation and packaging, food service, vending and ward trolley service.
Role includes undertaking duties in chilled and/or frozen working and storage environments, as appropriate.
Take part in the preparation of raw food materials to produce patients’ nutritional meals during their healthcare pathway at CoCH and in meal preparation for staff and Trust visitors throughout the week.
Help maintain a clean and hygienic food prep & meal cooking environment in line with National Standards of Cleanliness. Establish and maintain good working relationships across the wider catering team, and clear lines of communication with Supervisors, Ward Teams, Departmental staff and Visitors.
About us The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: base for community services that serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 5,916 staff (headcount), including temporary bank staff, and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000.
Job responsibilities See Job Description for further details. Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence at the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as, if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person Specification Qualifications
Numeracy and literacy skills, a basic standard of education.
Training to NVQ level 1 / 2.
Basic Food Hygiene Level 1 Certificate.
Food Safety Level 2 Certificate.
Knowledge and Experience
Enjoys working as part of a team.
Good knowledge of food safety & health & safety standards and a willingness to undertake additional training to maintain currency.
Has worked in a healthcare environment in the same capacity.
Knowledge of COSHH.
Knowledge of HACCP.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and therefore a submission will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
#J-18808-Ljbffr