Hospital Porter

GREAT WESTERN HOSPITAL; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare facility in the United Kingdom is seeking a compassionate and efficient Porter. The role involves transporting patients within the hospital, handling various materials safely, and ensuring cleanliness in all areas. Ideal candidates will possess frontline customer service experience, good manual handling skills, and a willingness to work shifts. Competitive salary, benefits, and training opportunities are provided.

Benefits

Competitive salaries with annual reviews

Up to 6% contributory pension scheme

25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Training and development opportunities

Wellbeing programs and employee assistance

Discounts across retailers and entertainment

Paid volunteering day each year

Qualifications

• Ability to follow instructions and handle stressful situations.
• High standards of personal hygiene and willingness to work shifts.
• May require a full clean driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Transport patients internally in a dignified and safe manner.
• Provide a high-quality portering service to all hospital stakeholders.
• Report faults or defects to equipment or premises promptly.

Skills

Frontline customer service experience

Manual handling experience

Proficient PC skills

Job description

Reporting to the portering supervisors, this position is responsible for transporting patients internally within the hospital in a dignified, safe, and efficient manner that demonstrates compassion and empathy. The post holder will provide a high‑quality portering service to all patients, visitors, staff and other stakeholders by quickly and efficiently moving patients, equipment, documentation, waste, medical specimens, blood products, medical gases, pharmaceutical products, furniture, mail, goods and materials, and any other reasonable task in a safe and efficient manner. It is expected that this role embodies Serco\'s CARE values and behaviours and acts as an ambassador for the Great Western Hospital.

Main Accountabilities

This role provides a high‑quality portering service to Great Western Hospital, carrying out duties in a dignified, safe, and efficient manner.

• Core: General care and movement of equipment throughout the site to ensure smooth hospital operations, including movement of furniture and patient transport equipment. In emergencies, evacuations, or security situations, the post holder may need to respond in line with Great Western Hospital policies. Ensure wheelchairs and trolleys are kept clean and safe to minimise infection risks, stored in designated locations, and that all working areas (including the porters lodge) are maintained clean. Be mindful to assist patients, visitors and staff with queries where possible.
• Portering: Undertake a range of general and ad‑hoc tasks to meet hospital needs, including patient transport to and from wards/departments using wheelchairs, beds, trolleys or walking; patient transfer to the mortuary in a dignified manner; and non‑patient portering such as moving mattresses, pharmaceutical products, medical specimens, blood products, medical gases (including liquid nitrogen) and confidential medical records. Ensure safe storage and maintenance of stock, gases and supplies, adhering to health and safety regulations and storing in designated areas. May be required to prepare a deceased patient for viewing on occasion.
• Waste Portering: Move waste bins (general and clinical waste), confidential waste, sharps waste and bulky waste to support cleanliness and infection control; assist in waste recycling and minimisation; keep recycling areas clean and tidy to prevent pest problems. Shredding may be required.
• Distribution Portering: Move mail, goods and materials across the site in line with local confidentiality policies and Caldicott Principles. Process deliveries, frank where appropriate, and return to suppliers where applicable.

Health and Safety

• Report faults or defects to equipment or premises to the line manager promptly, especially those that could be dangerous; report accidents or near misses using the appropriate forms. All work must comply with health, safety, security, and infection control policies.
• Carry out any other reasonable request from the Service Supervisor to ensure efficient and effective Portering Service operations.

Other Responsibilities

• Use communication equipment correctly and professionally, in line with contract specifications and helpdesk/dispatch/service supervisor channels when needed.
• If driving duties are required, ensure vehicle roadworthiness and safety before, during and after use; complete relevant documentation; keep vehicles clean inside and out.
• Maintain a flexible approach to adopting new innovations and technologies to aid service delivery.
• Maintain a clean, neat appearance in line with uniform and hygiene guidelines.
• Carry out any other reasonable request from the Service Supervisor or management to ensure efficient Portering operations.

What you will need for the role

• Work in an environment with potential exposure to sensitive circumstances and unpleasant conditions; role involves long periods of intense activity including pushing, pulling and standing.
• May require driving a vehicle; a full clean driving licence may be required.
• Support in emergency situations and carry out duties beyond the normal scope of the role.
• Frontline customer service experience; manual handling experience; basic literacy; proficient PC skills.
• High standards of personal hygiene; ability and willingness to work shifts including nights, weekends, bank holidays and religious holidays.
• Ability to follow instructions, work under pressure and handle stressful situations.

Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to applicants who declare a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the job. Details may vary in high‑volume or seasonal periods. For more details please refer to the employer guidance.

Benefits

• Salary: Competitive salaries with annual reviews.
• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
• Holidays: 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Training and development: Wide range of courses, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring, and opportunities for internal progression.
• Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, healthlines and wellbeing plans.
• Discounts: Offers across retailers, entertainment and travel.
• ShareSave scheme and employee networks.
• Charity: Paid volunteering day each year and payroll giving options.