General Porter

Transformation Unit; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

Paid annual leave

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting General Porters to join the House Portering Team at Bristol Royal Infirmary. The role runs on a 08:00-16:00 rolling rota, offering the chance to contribute to hospital operations and patient support in a hands-on environment.

The post requires a full UK driving licence and the ability to drive a Luton van. Benefits include NHS pension, paid leave, and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer care setting.
• Good basic education, numerate and literate.
• Valid UK driving licence (Category B).

Responsibilities

• Move, load and unload heavy and bulky items safely.
• Transport items between locations using a Luton van.
• Keep vehicles and work areas clean, safe and organised.
• Follow health and safety and waste-handling procedures.
• Report vehicle defects or safety concerns promptly.

Skills

Customer care

Basic computer skills

Education

Full Category B Driving licence

Job description

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bristol Royal Infirmary Town Bristol Salary £25,272 pa pro rata + unsocial enhancements Salary period Yearly Closing 23/11/2026 23:59

Band 2

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

Are you innovative and forward thinking? Are you looking to join a collaborative team that helps keep our hospitals running smoothly? Are you interested in a hands on job?

We are currently recruiting General Porters to work within the team within the Bristol Royal Infirmary. The shift pattern will be 08:00-16:00 on a rolling rota, and you will be joining our House Portering Team.

This is a physically demanding role and will involve the regular movement, loading, unloading and disposal of clutter, waste and equipment throughout the shift

The successful candidate must hold afull, valid UK driving licence and be confident and competent in driving a Luton van as part of their day-to-day duties.

Please note - the advert normally closes early due to a high volume of applications.

Main duties of the job

On a day to day basis, tasks will include:-

• Moving, loading and unloadingheavy, bulky and awkward items, including broken or unwanted furniture, cages and equipment.
• Collecting, moving and disposing of clutter, general waste and unwanted items.
• Transporting furniture, equipment, waste and other items between locations using a Luton van.
• Working safely when handling heavy items and following all relevant manual handling, health and safety and waste-handling procedures.
• Keeping vehicles, storage areas and working areas clean, safe and organised.
• Reporting any vehicle defects, damaged equipment, hazards or health and safety concerns promptly.
• Working flexibly as part of the wider team and assisting with other general portering and operational duties as required

You will have:-

• Ability to work as part of a team
• Pleasant and friendly personality
• Ability to use your own initiative
• Understanding of the need to deal with patients, parents and staff in a helpful and supportive manner.

In return for your hard work and your professional, caring and reliable service you will have access to the following benefits:

• Competitive pay
• Access to the NHS pension scheme
• Paid annual leave, maternity and sick pay (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Training and development opportunities including apprenticeships!
• Industry leading discount schemes at local and national outlets, including insurance, holidays and shopping!

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities. please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in a customer care setting

Qualifications and Training

• Good basic education, numerate and literate
• Full Category B Driving licence

Skills

• Basic computer skills

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.