Catering Assistant

Job Title: Catering Assistant
Reference No: 03.039 (2026)
Department / Directorate: Catering Department / Infrastructure & Support Services Directorate
Reports to: Catering Manager of the assigned area

Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4, voluntary, academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in south west Dublin. With a staff of over 4,000 people from 63 different countries, it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800,000 people and is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is also a National Urology Centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country, Pelvic and Acetabulum National Centre and a designated Trauma Unit.

The Hospital is part of the newly established HSE Dublin & Midlands Region, which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties, and operates under the governance of an independent Board of Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis. TUH is also supported by the Adelaide Health Foundation, the Meath Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation.

TUH recognises the role it plays in our community both as an employer and provider of healthcare and is committed to building a sustainable future for our region both now and into the future with a focus on patient outcomes.

The Hospital is ambitious, recognising that healthcare delivery is undergoing seismic change and will be different now and into the future, largely due to digital and technological advances along with research continuing to discover and test new treatment options. TUH wants to be a leader in determining that future. It is a “Hospital without Walls” always looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time whilst empowering our patients and staff.

TUH Vision and Values
The vision of the Hospital is “People Caring for People to Live Better Lives” through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.


Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:

• Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
• Achieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
• Respect – for patients, each other and our environment
• Equity – for patients and staff

At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.

A full overview of TUH is available on



Purpose of the role:
The Department runs the catering service to our patients 07.00am – 19.00pm and staff from 07.00am to 16.00pm ( patients ) Monday to Sunday with a mix of early duty , late duty from twenty hours to 39 hours per week. During the day the catering patient food services assistant will be responsible for issue of breakfast service, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid afternoon snack and tea to our patients / customers.
The Catering / Patient Food Services Assistant will be responsible for maintaining hygiene and good housekeeping in accordance with the Catering /Patient Food Service’s Department policy. This will include the cleaning of areas such as ward Pantries, Dining Room. Coffee Shop, Functions, Patient Plating and dishwashing/Pot wash areas and floor including, spot cleaning of walls throughout the day.


Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the preparation and service of breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid afternoon snack, tea , tea toast as required to our patients Maintain the highest personal hygiene and adhere to prescribed dress code and behaviour
• Maintain hygiene and good housekeeping in accordance with the Catering /Patient Food Service’s Department policy. This will include the cleaning of areas such as ward Pantries, Dining Room. Coffee Shop, Functions, Patient Plating and dishwashing/Pot wash areas and floor including, spot cleaning of walls throughout the Department
• Dishwashing and cleaning of Catering equipment and utensils to ensure the department is kept in a clean and tidy manner to conform to health and hygiene regulations including all chilled areas and their floors
• Adhere to departmental and regulatory policies and procedures. (ISO: 340, Jewellery policy, bare below the elbow etc. )
• Be aware of and practice good food hygiene at all times
• Maintain a high level of cleanliness within the ward pantries and carry out cleaning procedures as outlined within the cleaning schedules
• Provide a quality service and assist with the preparation of food items
• Prepare salads/sandwiches as required and according to specifications for patients/staff/visitors
• The plating of patients meals in the chilled plating area
• Account and register all sales of food and beverages
• Maintain a flexible approach to performance of duties as specified
• Stock all items for service in all areas for breakfast, lunch and tea
• Performance of catering duties as requested from department management team
• Co-operate with all quality initiatives within the Catering/Patient Food Service Department
• Catering /Patient Food Services operate a varied department with many sub sections and you may be asked to work on the wards, accident and emergency pantry service , dialysis , theatre, on call accommodation, the CPU, dining room, rec doc coffee shop, pot wash area, patients and staff function / meeting service
• Receiving stock and decanting to store areas
• Issue of stock to wards and other relevant areas
• Cleaning duties within the department as assigned on cleaning schedules and recorded
• Record information on cleaning schedules and temperature charts as required
• Maintain a prompt and efficient food delivery service to patients/visitors and staff where necessary
• Convey accurately to management patient’s comments in respect to the quality and service of food
• Set breakfast trays and serve breakfast service
• Supply fresh water, clean glasses and jugs as required
• Operate the specialist equipment within the ward pantry and undertake the associated temperature monitoring, recording and control procedures. Alert Management to any incorrect readings or incidents of poor food quality in order that remedial actions can be taken
• Prepare requisitions for dry goods, communicate this information to the central Catering/Patient Food Services Department and collect as scheduled
• Relay daily menu to patients, gather their order and make manual / electronic to the Catering/Patient Food Services Department (checked by Ward Sister , Dietician / Speech and language therapist )
• Special requests (i.e. catering for ill patients / family bereavements)
• Take ward messages as requested, i.e. special diets
• To maintain a flexible approach to performance of duties as specified and within the scope of all areas designated within the department
• Maintain the highest level of cleanliness within the specified on call accommodation areas
• Dispose of soiled linen to laundry collection point
• Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of the on call kitchens
• Prepare and collect requisitions as scheduled
• Empty waste paper bins from on call areas
• Maintain a flexible approach to performance of duties as specified and within the scope of all areas designated within the department
• May be assigned to different areas within the Catering/Patient Food Services Department by the Manager depending on the needs of the department
• Any other duties which may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications & Experience required

must have

• Have obtained at least Grade D3 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (higher, ordinary, applied or vocational programmes)

OR

• Passed an examination of comparable standard at appropriate level within the QQI framework which can be assessed as being comparable to leaving cert standard or equivalent

And

• Have 12 months satisfactory relevant experience in a similar environment which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Have fluent command and understanding of English language including spoken and written

Desirable

• Have a Certificate in Primary Food Hygiene
• Have a minimum of 1 year experience in a similar role in a Hospital / Healthcare environment

Reward & Recognition

• Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales 4123 as of 1st August 2025.

€35,547-€43,150

• The appointment is specified purpose contract, full time/part time hours available and pensionable. A panel may be formed from which future vacancies will be filled.
• The annual leave entitlement is 23 working days per year pro rata. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year
• Normal working hours are 39 worked over 7 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement

TUH Core Competencies:Core AreaCompetencyLevelManaging the serviceQuality & Safety of Service1Managing the serviceDelivery of Results1Managing ChangeProblem Solving & Decision Making1Managing ChangeCommunications & Influencing1Managing YourselfTeam player1Managing YourselfPlanning and Organising1Managing PeoplePeople Management1Managing PeopleLeadership1
Please go to for details of the core competencies