General Porter

MAX FORTUNE, INC.; Northampton; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Northampton seeks Porters to support patient and equipment transfers throughout the hospital. Responsibilities include safe patient transportation, delivery and collection of waste and medical items, and maintaining high standards of infection control. Successful candidates will receive on-the-job training to ensure competence in all duties. This full-time, permanent position offers a salary of £24,465 per annum and is ideal for those with strong customer service skills and the ability to work flexibly.

Qualifications

• Ability to multitask effectively and manage priorities.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Previous experience in a customer-facing role.

Responsibilities

• Transport patients within the hospital safely.
• Delivery, collection, and disposal of clinical waste.
• Contribute to high standards of infection control.

Skills

Ability to follow instructions

Customer service skills

Ability to develop rapport

Self-motivated

Flexibility in tasks

Job description

Job Summary

Porters at Northampton General Hospital are the main support for the site in the transfer of patients and equipment. Within this role you will be expected to support the safe and effective transfer of patients around our 25+ wards and 60+ clinics. Depending on the skills and person fit of the successful candidate these roles could be covering the full 24/7 shift rota or it could be working within our radiology transfer team.

To undertake general portering duties for all wards and departments, providing a professional and quality service to all users. This will include the safe transportation of patients using wheelchairs, stretchers and beds. The movement of equipment, collecting and delivering post are some of the duties undertaken by a porter.

About Us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

Details

• Date posted: 12 December 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 2
• Salary: £24,465 a year per annum or pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time
• Reference number: 265-7614861-COR
• Job locations: Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD

Job Description

Job responsibilities

• Transport patients within the hospital in conjunction with Trust policies and departmental procedures.
• Communicate with all patients that are being transported within the hospital in a sensitive and tactful manner, whilst building a rapport and ensuring they understand any instructions to maintain their safety.
• Undertake general mortuary duties in accordance with the agreed procedures.
• Delivery, collection and disposal of refuse, laundry and clinical waste from wards and departments.
• Safe collection and delivery of gas cylinders, beds, blood products, specimens, pharmacy products, medical equipment, furniture and any other equipment around the hospital site.
• Change and replenish medical gas pipelines.
• Sorting, collection and delivery of all mail to designated areas.
• Cleaning duties as required in designated areas, incorporating trolley, wheelchairs, electric tugs, and all other relevant equipment.
• Undertake all training as necessary to enable satisfactory and competent completion of the role.
• Comply with specific instructions and working patterns when based in a particular department.
• Maintain high standards of infection control and hand hygiene during the performance of duties.
• Work closely with Supervisors in producing a high standard of service to patients, staff and visitors.
• Contribute to the development of the Portering Service by putting forward suggestions for improvement.
• When nominated to lead and coordinate teams when supervisors are not available.
• Use two‑way radios to communicate.
• Show flexibility in areas of work, as prescribed for the departmental needs.
• Carry out all duties in accordance with the Trust’s Health & Safety Policy and local departmental working practices.
• Any other work commensurate with the post or as requested by the Line Manager.

Successful candidates will be trained in all duties required for the role throughout the first month of working here to show in more detail what each of these roles entails.

Person Specification

Essential

• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to develop rapport with staff, patients and visitors.
• Ability to multi‑task effectively and move from one task to another rapidly when priorities change.
• Ability to prioritise and use initiative.
• Computer skills and ability to input data to manage monthly timesheet.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Self‑motivated to work under minimal supervision.
• Ability to lead and coordinate a team when on duty.
• Respect for patient privacy, dignity and confidentiality.
• Able to undertake the frequent physical duties of the role such as pulling and pushing trolley, beds or similar.
• Ability to undertake medical gas duties once trained.
• Commitment to working the hours to fulfil the requirements of the job, including flexibility or working where required.
• Ability to carry out the full range of portering duties once trained.
• Ability to record information correctly and legibly.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure or challenging situations.

Knowledge

• Previous experience of working in a customer‑facing role.
• Knowledge and understanding of different cultural needs.
• Knowledge of good health & safety practices.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting.
• Previous portering experience.
• Trained in health and safety practices.
• NVQ/Apprenticeship (or equivalent) in customer services.

Education, Training and Qualifications

• No formal education is required; on‑job instruction, training and theoretical knowledge will be provided.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Employer details

• Employer name: Northampton General Hospital
• Address: Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD
• Employer's website: https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx