Job Vacancy Details
Catering and Hospitality Assistant
Starting Salary: £30,804 WTE - pro rata, per annum, (which includes £3,000 unsocial hours payment) (based on 37.5 hours per week)
Rising to Step 2 £32,072 WTE - pro rata, per annum, (which includes £3,126 unsocial hours payment) (based on 37.5 hours per week) following 12 month satisfactory performance review
Hours: 37.5 hours per week on a rota basis, includes weekends and bank holidays
We’re looking for a caring, reliable, Catering and Hospitality Assistant to help deliver safe, high‑quality catering services for patients, families, visitors and colleagues. You’ll join a team focused on person‑centred hospice care and play a key part in creating a welcoming, dignified dining experience.
Compassionate and patient‑focused, you will have a strong focus on food safety, allergen management, personal hygiene and infection prevention & control
We anticipate that you will work alternate weeks within the kitchen and ward environments
Duties will include:
- Supporting the daily meal and beverage service for patients within the ward, ward visitors and staff, ensuring meals are timely and accurate against dietary care plans.
- Helping to coordinate catering activity on shift, including demonstrating tasks and supporting volunteers.
- Maintaining high standards of food safety and allergen controls (HACCP principles, labelling, cross‑contamination prevention).
- Completing and record key checks and maintain essential records (for example temperature checks), safe storage and cleaning routines, food safety logs, allergen matrices and other compliance documentation.
- Working closely with the catering manager, head chef, dietitian and clinical teams to respond to changing dietary needs.
- Delivering a service with compassion and professionalism, escalating concerns appropriately—including any changes noticed in a patient’s condition.
About you:
- Level 1 Food Safety qualification (or willingness to obtain) and awareness of food safety legislation and HACCP principles.
- Understanding of allergen management & cross‑contamination control and infection prevention & control
- Compassionate, patient‑focused team player with clear communication skills.
Our values:
Respect • Care & Compassion • Partnership • Trust
Additional Information:
You will work in our In‑Patient Unit and will sometimes be around people experiencing distress. You’ll be supported by an experienced team and will receive training appropriate to the role.
Hours are allocated on a two-week rota basis and cover a Monday to Sunday service between 7.00am and 6.30pm. You will work every second weekend.
To apply:
Please click Apply to be redirected to the Hospice recruitment portal for further details about the role, including a full job description and application form.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Sylwia Tanswell on 0131 551 1381 or email stanswell@stcolumbashospice.org.uk
Other benefits of working for the Hospice:
- 27 days annual leave on joining, 29 days annual leave after 5 years’ service, 33 days annual leave after 10 years’ service, per year, pro rata
- 8 public holidays per year, pro rata
- Contributory pension scheme 12% Hospice pension contribution (employee contribution 6%)
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Family Friendly Policies
- Training and development opportunities, Individualised induction, supervision and Personal Development Plan
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Access to Blue Light Card membership providing Discounts on gym membership, cinema tickets, retail and restaurants
- Subsidised staff meals
- Living Wage employer and Investors in People Gold Accreditation employer
- Staff wellbeing support, including access to wellbeing resources and complementary therapy opportunities
Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity? We’d love to hear from you!
Redefining Hospice Care: St Columba's exists to give everyone who needs it the very best hospice care. We're an independent charity at the heart of our local community, offering free, flexible and person-centred palliative care and support to our patients and their families.
Criminal Record Check: This post requires the post holder to have a criminal record check. An application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before the successful candidate can begin in post. The Hospice will pay/reimburse the cost of this check.
Right to work: Please note that St Columba's Hospice Care does not hold a licence to sponsor visas and is therefore unable to support visa applications. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship.
Scottish Charity No SC003634