Band 2 Cook

Hours - Part time - 22.5 hours per week

Salary - £22,383 gross per annum pro rata

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.


Nearly 3,800 full and part-time practitioners care for our service users in hospitals, in the community and in their own homes, whilst an additional 1,400+ staff provide non-clinical support, including cleaning, catering, delivering supplies, ward administration, information technology, human resources and financial services.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams.  We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for our roles, please indicate in your application if this is something you require

YOUR APPLICATION
It is important that you complete a formal application form as CV’s alone will not be accepted.

Job overview

As a Cook, you will provide a catering service to young people within the Dragonfly Unit, also as directed by the Nurse in charge, to provide food and beverages to patient families, staff and visitors.  As a vital member of the team, you will be enthusiastic and passionate about providing the best care to our service users. 

However most importantly and in keeping with our Trust values of Positively, Respectfully and Together, we are looking for someone who has exceptional people and communication skills as you will be communicating directly with young people in our care.

If you want to make a difference in people’s lives and help to change it for the better, we want you to be part of our fantastic team!

Main duties of the job

To be able to cook and prepare meals for up to 12 young people, plus additional meals available for staff and families on request.

To plan well-balanced menus taking into account all dietary needs and guidance from Dietitian, clinical and young people’s feedback.

To be cost effective with the purchase of foodstuffs from within the local community, ensuring an appropriate balance of supermarket/shop produce and fresh farmed produce, as well as the ordering of internal NHS stores provisions.

Monitor ingredients ensuring all clinical / customer requests meet their nutritional needs also taking into consideration any serious reported allergies i.e., diary/milk intolerance, nut etc.

To prepare, cook and serve food in accordance with menus and portion control procedures, and as instructed by the manufacturers cooking guidelines, ensuring all food is produced in the correct quantity at the correct time & cooked properly.

Working for our organisation

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you’ll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We’re an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Some of the benefits you can expect:

• NHS pension
• a comprehensive in house & external training programmes
• career progression
• starting annual leave of 27 days per annum increasing to 33 days pa based on length of service (plus paid bank holidays)
• staff physio service
• NHS discounts and many more.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Experience of working /service delivery within a catering environment.
• Has recognised Catering Qualification or is working towards a qualification.
• Food Hygiene qualification Level 2

Desirable criteria

• Dietetic qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working /service delivery within a catering environment.
• Experienced cook.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working within a health care setting and / or with young people.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Is a skilled cook and able to produce quality meals. Cooperative and willing to work as part of a small team. Flexible and willing to undertake full range of catering duties.
• Good communication and people skills. Able to communicate with all grades of staff and visitors.

Desirable criteria

• Previous employment within catering/similar environment
• Previous experience of working with people within a health care setting.
• Able to judge both quality and quantity of raw food ingredients as well as the finished product, to ensure it meets the standard required. Able to calculate and estimate quantities of foodstuffs necessary to cook a certain quantity of any given dish

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Has sound knowledge of food and nutrition.
• Has sound knowledge of food hygiene
• Able to plan ahead to ensure sufficient food is prepared and cooked in accordance with the menus and recipes and with the minimum of wastage.
• Able to plan cooking times to deliver meals at times required.

Desirable criteria

• Has working knowledge of Food Safety legislation: The Food Act, Food Hygiene Regulations, Food Hygiene Temperature Control Regulations, and Trust Food Hygiene Codes of Practice.
• Has an understanding of Health and Safety Issues relating to the kitchen, and cleaning including food safety and COSHH.
• Has knowledge of basic nutritional needs and special diets.
• Has a basic understanding of the requirements of the NHS Plan and the Better Hospital Food Programme.
• Has knowledge of COSHH and good understanding of cleaning products and their uses
• Has sound knowledge of cleaning procedures, both in general and those necessary for a kitchen

Physical

Essential criteria

Able to lift heavy pots and pans.

Able to stand for all or most of shift.

Able to work in high temperatures

Able to perform cleaning tasks to a high standard

Attends work regularly and on time.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIESApart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

As a part of the Disability Confident Employer Guaranteed Interview Scheme we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job vacancy  (outlined in the Person Specification).. We encourage you to indicate your eligibility through TRAC jobs when applying.