Catering Assistant

Catering Assistant

The closing date is 04 March 2026

Blandford Hospital catering team run a busy kitchen and have a key role in providing nutritional meals to 24 patients.

Our dining room also caters for staff, visitors and local community.

Due to retirement, we are looking for a motivated catering assistant to join our friendly dedicated catering team.

This is a part time post of 35 hours per week. The post holder may be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Please ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

• Preparation of salads, sandwiches and vegetables.
• Counter service, serving meals, drinks and snacks.
• Assist in the plating of patient meals.
• Washing up and other general kitchen duties.
• Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness within the catering department.
• Employment in this post requires a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

At Dorset Health Care we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety.

If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

• Level 2 certificate in food hygiene or working towards
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• UK Driving licence

• Knowledge of Stock Control procedures and methods

• Demonstrate skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.

• Previous experience in a similar role

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust