Flexi Porter

NHS; South Shields; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in South Shields is seeking three full-time Flexi Porters. This role involves working flexible shifts across various locations, including patient transport and other essential duties. The ideal candidates should possess effective communication skills, basic numeracy and literacy, and experience in public-facing roles. This position offers a dynamic work environment focused on patient care and support.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Access to Fitness Centre

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience of working with the general public.
• Experience of working in a hospital environment.
• Full UK Driving Licence (Class C Driving).

Responsibilities

• Using electronic task allocation device to carry out duties.
• Undertaking patient transport duties between wards and departments.
• Transporting deceased patients from wards to the Mortuary.

Skills

Ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff, and visitors

Flexible approach to tasks and hours of work

Basic IT Skills

Education

Basic Numeracy and Literacy education

Literacy Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE Grade C)

Numeracy Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE Grade C)

Tools

IT systems

Job description

Flexi Porter

The closing date is 29 September 2025

We are looking for three enthusiastic, self-driven individuals to join our Portering team at South Tyneside District Hospital in South Shields. These full-time roles involve working 40 hours per week across a range of shifts, including 06:00-14:00, 14:00-22:00, 22:00-06:00, and 09:00-17:00. As the service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, flexibility is essential to meet operational demands.

Please note that fixed rotas are not currently available. Instead, shifts will be assigned based on service requirements, with rotas provided up to four weeks in advance. However, occasional short-notice changes may occur due to unforeseen circumstances such as staff sickness.

You may be asked to work additional hours in response to unforeseen circumstances as they arise. Shifts may also take place at our off-site locations, such as St Benedicts Hospice and Palmer Community Hospital, depending on service needs.

Main duties of the job

• Using electronic task allocation device (radio) to carry out duties.
• Using computers to carry out online training.
• Answering telephone at helpdesk and responding to customer enquiries.
• Collecting specimens from wards and departments to Pathology and return of specimens if required.
• Collecting, delivering and processing post for onward distribution.
• Delivering of pharmacy to wards and departments.
• Undertaking patient transport duties between wards and departments ensuring patient modesty and safety at all times.
• Transporting deceased patients from wards to the Mortuary using concealment trolleys.
• Assisting in the transfer, moving and disposal of equipment and furniture.

Shifts Pattern: The successful candidate will be fully flexible to work shifts covering a 24/7 service including weekends, night shifts, bank holidays and be flexible to cover sickness and annual leave at short notice.

Portering Services are in operation across multiple NHS sites. The primary base of work would be South Tyneside Hospital. The successful candidate may on occasion be asked to cover other sites if the service requires.

3 x 40 hour vacancies

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE - trading since 2014) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. CHoICE provide a full range of Facilities Management, Procurement and Outpatient Pharmacy services. We employ around 650 staff in a wide range of functions, ranging from cleaners, porters, engineers, procurement specialists and pharmacists.

Commitment, Care and Compassion - our Team contribute to the overall hospital environment, providing safe, secure and comfortable facilities for access by patients, staff and visitors. CHoICE is an exciting place to work that will provide you with an opportunity to grow and develop. Many of our staff work flexibly, including part-time and we are committed to offering flexible approaches to work where possible. We provide a range of benefits including Fitness Centre (SRH), cycle to work scheme and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

We welcome all applications regardless of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups.

If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE

The post holder will undertake all Portering duties, as defined within this job description, to provide an efficient and effective service to patients and staff to ensure high standards are met and in accordance with Health and Safety legislation across the various Trust premises, whilst treating everyone with dignity, respect and recognising individual differences.

The postholder will work at South Tyneside Hospital, South Shields, but may be required to work at Palmer Community Hospital, Jarrow, or St Benedicts Hospice, Ryhope, Sunderland, as and when required, for example to cover annual leave and sickness.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff and visitors.
• Ability to use IT systems confidently
• Flexible approach to tasks and hours of work, including weekends, shift patterns and public holidays
• Basic IT Skills

Qualifications

• Basic Numeracy and Literacy education
• Literacy Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE Grade C)
• Numeracy Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE Grade C)

Experience

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working in a hospital environment

Other

• Full UK Driving Licence (Class C Driving)
• Able to drive as and when required

Physical Skills

• Requirement for walking, lifting and bending throughout each day
• Physically fit to lift and move patients and objects in accordance with manual handling training
• Able to undertake varied manual tasks

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE)