Job Title: If & When Catering Assistant
Reference: 06.021 (2026)
Department: Catering
Directorate: Infrastructure & Support Services Directorate
Reports to: (Catering manager for designated 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:
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Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
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Achieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
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Respect – for patients, each other and our environment
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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 www.tuh.ie/about us
Purpose of the role:
Under the direction of the catering manager, the catering assistant will provide a high quality catering service in accordance with the catering department policies and procedures. The Department runs the catering service to our patients 07.00am – 7pm with a future view of 8pm Catering assistant shifts are Monday to Sunday with a mix of early duty , late duty and shifts will be offered on an if & when needed basis.
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
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Maintain hygiene and good housekeeping in accordance with the Catering 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
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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
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Adhere to departmental and regulatory policies and procedures. (ISO: 340, Jewellery policy, bare below the elbow etc. )
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Be aware of and practice good food hygiene at all times
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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
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Prepare salads/sandwiches as required and according to specifications for patients/staff/visitors
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The plating of patients meals in the chilled plating area
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Account and register all sales of food and beverages
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Maintain a flexible approach to performance of duties as specified
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Stock all items for service in all areas for breakfast, lunch and tea
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Performance of catering duties as requested from department management team
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Co-operate with all quality initiatives within the Catering/Patient Food Service Department
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Catering 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
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Receiving stock and decanting to store areas
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Issue of stock to wards and other relevant areas
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Cleaning duties within the department as assigned on cleaning schedules and recorded
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Record information on cleaning schedules and temperature charts as required
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Maintain a prompt and efficient food delivery service to patients/visitors and staff where necessary
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Convey accurately to management patient’s comments in respect to the quality and service of food
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Set breakfast trays and serve breakfast service
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Supply fresh water, clean glasses and jugs as required
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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
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Prepare requisitions for dry goods, communicate this information to the central Catering/Patient Food Services Department and collect as scheduled
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Relay daily menu to patients, gather their order and make manual / electronic orders to the catering department
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Manage waste on a daily basis
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(checked by Ward Sister , Dietician / Speech and language therapist )
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Special requests (i.e. catering for ill patients / family bereavements)
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Take ward messages as requested, i.e. special diets
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To maintain a flexible approach to performance of duties as specified and within the scope of all areas designated within the department
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Maintain the highest level of cleanliness within the specified on call accommodation areas
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Dispose of soiled linen to laundry collection point
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Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of the on call kitchens
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Prepare and collect requisitions as scheduled
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Empty waste paper bins from on call areas
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Maintain a flexible approach to performance of duties as specified and within the scope of all areas designated within the department
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May be assigned to different areas within the Catering department by the Manager depending on the needs of the department
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Any other duties which may be assigned from time to time
Qualifications & Experience required
Must have
- Possess a good general standard of education
Or
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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
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Have satisfactory relevant experience in a similar environment which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills
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Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
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Have fluent command and understanding of English language including spoken and written
Desirable-
Have a Certificate in Primary Food Hygiene
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Previous experience in a Hospital/Healthcare environment
Reward & Recognition-
The appointment is for If and When contracts.
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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.
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Normal working hours are If and When required. “Shifts will be offered on an if-needed basis and these shifts will run Monday to Sunday with a mix of shifts between 7am – 7pm (possible 8pm)
- Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales 4123.
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These particulars are subject to change in line with overall public pay policy. Point on scale allocated is based on relevant HSE Circulars.
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The appointment is for “If and when contracts”.
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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
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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.
Application process
Applications can be submitted ‘on-line’ at
www.tuh.ie/careers by completing the application form and attaching your CV. Candidates should be aware that, when applying for a post through the 'On-Line' Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason, not receive this automated acknowledgement, you should notify the Human Resources Department, before the closing date, otherwise your application will not be considered.
All candidates should note that, in order to maintain a timely process, the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.
TUH is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to promoting an environment free from discrimination in accordance with the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004. The Hospital values diversity and recognises the benefits of having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We are committed to equality of access to positions within the Hospital. All recruitment activity and documentation will encourage applications from all potential candidates without discrimination.
Informal Enquiries to: Ursula Clarke (Patient food service manager), -01) 4142291
Philip Ryan (Food & beverage manager)- (01) 4142984
Closing Date: Monday 6th July 2026
TUH Core Competencies:
Core Area
Competency
Level
Managing the service
Quality & Safety of Service
1
Managing the service
Delivery of Results
1
Managing Change
Problem Solving & Decision Making
1
Managing Change
Communications & Influencing
1
Managing Yourself
Team player
1
Managing Yourself
Planning and Organising
1
Managing People
People Management
1
Managing People
Leadership
1
