Job overview

We are seeking to recruit an experienced, positive and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to join our motivated and dynamic team.

As a Kitchen Assistant at Lindridge you will provide service users with the highest standard of support service, ensuring that their physical, social and emotional needs are met.

The home caters for a diverse range of needs and you will be communicating and engaging with our residents throughout your shift.

Good interpersonal skills are really important for this role and you will be required to act as a Care Champion in all that you do.

If you are looking for the opportunity to work within a highly rated care home with the stability and backing of a large NHS Trust, then we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As a Kitchen Assistant you will perform a variety of manual tasks within the kitchen and dining rooms associated with food production in the catering department, always maintaining accurate and legible records. You will ensure that all cutlery, crockery and glassware is clean and suitable for use. You will prepare and clear the tables for service users within the dining rooms and assist with the provision of beverages and with the preparation of light refreshments.

You will be an integral part of our well-established multi-disciplinary team and we want your expertise, values and commitment to contribute to the ongoing quality of service and care.

You will act in a dignified and responsible manner with service users, visitors, carers and colleagues; listening carefully and responding using appropriate language and communication skills which acknowledge cultural differences and professional boundaries.

Working for our organisation

Lindridge is a care home in the West Hove community of Hangleton, specialising in providing flexible long and short-term care packages which are tailored to support the unique needs of every individual who stays with us. Managed by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves as being one of the region's premier care home facilities, currently holding one of the top review scores for care homes in Hove on carehome.co.uk.

As a Kitchen Assistant at Lindridge we can offer you:

• Excellent supervision programmes, with ongoing opportunities for training and development
• Access to a host of NHS discount schemes
• Entitlement to join excellent NHS Pension Scheme
• Free DBS & Uniform

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
REQUIREMENTS

In order to be a successful Kitchen Assistant in our team you will be:

• Experienced working within a busy kitchen setting
• Able to communicate clearly
• Comfortable working with others in the development of knowledge, ideas and work practices

It would also be advantageous if you are:

• Accredited with a catering qualification
• Experienced working within a care home setting

Flexibility with working patterns to include some weekend work is essential.

MAIN DUTIES

• To clean, wash and dry cutlery, crockery, glassware and kitchen equipment by hand or by machine as appropriate.
• To assist with the delivery of all foodstuffs including meat and dry goods from the delivery vehicle to the appropriate storage facility within the Home.
• To empty waste bins and carry out the cleaning of floors and walls and all surfaces as determined by the cleaning schedule.
• To ensure adequate food stocks, crockery and cutlery are available for service users' breakfasts.
• To lay the dining tables used by the residents with all the necessary equipment. To clear tables and replace table cloths in liaison with nursing and care staff.
• To assist with the routine provision of beverages for service users and prepare light refreshments (e.g. sandwiches or salads) for residents and visitors when required.
• To act in accordance with COSHH and Food Hygiene regulations, carrying out all duties in a safe manner having regard to the Health and Safety of self, colleagues, residents and visitors to the Home.
• To maintain accurate and legible records in Food Safety manual.
• To carry out duties in such a way as to ensure the economical and safe use of resources and equipment. To carry out other duties as well from time to time as directed.
• To adopt a neat, clean and tidy appearance at all times and wear the appropriate uniform as supplied by the Home. To maintain the highest level of personal and work cleanliness and hygiene.
• To attend fire evacuation and training sessions, organised in-house and online.
• To have a knowledge of and understand the working applications of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults (local) policy, Health & Safety, Infection control, reporting of accident and all other relevant policies and protocols.
• To contribute to the ongoing quality of service and care, identifying and promptly reporting any risk issues or other significant factors in relation to the service users' health and social care.
• To be managed by and receive supervision from a nominated line manager, including annual appraisal.
• To recognise own responsibility in and contribute to the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• To ensure strict confidentiality is maintained at all times and that records are kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Please apply using the link in this advert, or for more information explore the attachments or contact:

Domizia Sgammini - Recruitment and Team Administrator: Domizia.Sgammini@spft.nhs.uk

Person specification

Qualifications
Essential criteria

• GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths

Desirable criteria

• Catering qualification

Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience of working within a busy kitchen environment as part of a team

Desirable criteria

• Experience working within a care home setting

Personal Qualities
Essential criteria

• Comfortable working with others in the development of knowledge, ideas and work practices
• Able to manage priorities
• Excellent communication skills