Support Staff Porters - 12 Posts

Role Overview

This position is a hands-on catering support role within a hospital food service team, ensuring that meals move safely and efficiently from the production kitchen to patient wards and other departments. Day to day, you will assist cooks with basic preparation tasks, keep service and storage areas clean and hygienic, and help deliver meals that match each patient’s prescribed dietary plan. Your work directly supports patient nutrition, infection control, and the smooth running of the hospital’s catering operation, so reliability and attention to procedure are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Transport prepared meals, trays, and catering supplies between the central kitchen and hospital wards or departments, following scheduled service times and safe handling practices.
• Support cooking staff with straightforward food preparation duties such as washing, peeling, portioning, and assembling ingredients before cooking or plating.
• Collect used trays, cutlery, and service equipment from patient areas, then return them to the kitchen for cleaning and sanitisation.
• Clean kitchen surfaces, cooking equipment, utensils, and dining or servery areas according to established hygiene and infection prevention standards.
• Serve meals to patients in line with individual dietary orders, portion sizes, and mealtime schedules, while confirming that each tray is correctly labelled and completed.
• Receive, unpack, and put away incoming kitchen supplies and ingredients, checking delivery quantities and reporting any discrepancies or damaged goods.
• Dispose of food waste and other refuse correctly, following hospital policies and public health regulations for segregation, containment, and removal.
• Help load and unload catering vehicles or storage areas, moving heavy items safely and keeping walkways clear and obstruction-free.
• Observe and report any equipment faults, stock shortages, or safety incidents to the supervising cook or hospitality officer immediately.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Possession of a craft certificate in food production, catering and accommodation, or a recognised equivalent qualification from a reputable institution.
• A certificate in food handling issued by an accredited public health body is required.
• Solid understanding of food safety, hygiene, sanitation, and infection prevention principles as applied in a healthcare catering setting.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume institutional kitchen and adapt to the unique demands of a hospital environment.
• Physical capability to perform manual handling tasks, including lifting, carrying, pushing trolleys, and standing for extended periods.
• Strong teamwork, clear communication, and the discipline to follow instructions and procedures without close supervision.
• Proven reliability, integrity, and a service-focused attitude toward patient care and colleagues.