General Porter

Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in the United Kingdom seeks a dedicated Porter to ensure safe patient transport throughout their facilities. Responsibilities include assisting in the transfer of patients and medical equipment, preparing bodies for viewing, and maintaining high cleanliness standards. Ideal candidates demonstrate reliability, adherence to health protocols, and a strong commitment to patient care. The role supports flexible working to promote a healthy work-life balance.

Responsibilities

• Transport patients safely and securely to and from any Trust area/department/ward.
• Secure safe and efficient transfer of critically unwell patients from intensive care units.
• Assist in physical transfer of patients between beds and trolleys and support clinical staff with transferring patients.
• Secure transportation of specimens from wards and departments to any Trust location(s).
• Transfer of beds, trolleys and medical and non‑medical equipment to any Trust location.
• Prepare bodies for viewing by relatives, ensuring suitability for viewing in line with policy.
• Deliver life‑saving equipment to an arrest and be on standby at cardiac arrests.
• Observe and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

Job description

Overview

Porter Department responsibilities include movement of patients, specimens, blood products, gas cylinders, transfer of bodies including preparation for viewing and any other duties commensurate with the post. We are caring, inclusive, ambitious.

Responsibilities

• Transport patients safely and securely to and from any Trust area/department/ward.
• Secure safe and efficient transfer of critically unwell patients from intensive care units.
• Assist in physical transfer of patients between beds and trolleys and support clinical staff with transferring patients.
• Secure transportation of specimens from wards and departments to any Trust location(s). Secure transportation of bloods from any Trust area/department/ward ensuring appropriate cross‑reference against requests and blood collection legislation.
• Safe transportation of medical gas cylinders and associated equipment in accordance with health & safety protocols.
• Transfer of beds, trolleys and medical and non‑medical equipment to any Trust location.
• Safe transportation of medications and pharmaceuticals out of hours when the procurement/stores team are unavailable.
• Safe transportation of patient meals when requested.
• Prepare and clean patient trolleys in STH theatre and Cath. Lab. area on a daily basis.
• Answer bleep for crash calls and major haemorrhage removal and transfer of bodies to the mortuary in a dignified manner, including jewellery checking and logging.
• Prepare bodies for viewing by relatives, ensuring suitability for viewing in line with policy.
• Deliver life‑saving equipment to an arrest (e.g. running heart defibrillators) and be on standby at cardiac arrests to collect and deliver anything required for the patient.
• Monitor and report portering equipment for defects and cleanliness.
• Utilise the EPIC smartphone system to receive work and report on work in progress.
• Carry out daily wheel‑chair cleaning in line with the trust Infection Control policy.
• Ensure wheel‑chairs are gathered throughout the day and parked at the appropriate location.
• Take corrective action when required, respond to reported defects and unsafe conditions.
• Observe and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
• Maintain the highest standards of courtesy and respect to patients, relatives and colleagues at all times.
• Ensure the highest standards of personal hygiene and tidiness, including wearing uniforms in line with the GSTT uniform policy.
• Ensure any complaints received are passed on promptly to the Portering Team Leader.
• Fulfil any duties allocated that are commensurate with the role.
• Maintain the high standard of cleanliness in the mess room and locker room at all times.

Equality and Diversity

Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrate, respect and value the diversity of their staff and patients. Practices are reviewed to ensure that no employee, patient or carer is discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, or marital/civil partnership. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability and reasonable adjustments can be made throughout the application process. Flexible working is supported to allow employees to achieve a healthy work‑life balance.