Porter

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare services provider in Sunderland is hiring a Porter to ensure efficient service delivery across NHS sites. Responsibilities include transporting patients and specimens, handling customer enquiries, and operating within a flexible shift pattern covering 24/7 services. Ideal candidates should possess effective communication skills, a flexible work approach, and a basic understanding of IT. Training and support for career progression are offered.

Benefits

Full training on the job

Fitness Centre membership

Cycle to work scheme

Access to Childcare Co‑ordinator

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff and visitors.
• Experience working with the general public.
• Experience of working in a hospital environment.

Responsibilities

• Using electronic task allocation device to carry out duties.
• Transporting deceased patients from wards to the Mortuary.
• Collecting specimens from wards to Pathology.

Skills

Effective communication

Flexible approach to tasks

Basic IT Skills

Education

Basic Numeracy and Literacy education

UK Full driving license

Job description

Porter

The closing date is 05 December 2025

CHoICE Facilities Services are seeking a passionate, hardworking and reliable individual to join our team and fulfil the role of a Porter.

The role of a Porter is an exciting opportunity for people who are motivated, flexible, task-focused and have excellent communication skills. We encourage and support our employees to progress within CHoICE and offer full training on the job.

If you are ambitious, caring, team player and strive to deliver high standards services, we would like to hear from YOU!

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 returning specimens if required.
• Collecting, delivering and processing post for onward distribution.
• Delivering 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.

Shift 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 Sunderland Royal Hospital and the successful candidate may on occasion be asked to cover other sites if the service requires.

About us

Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.

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

Being responsible for assisting in the efficient and effective provision of Portering Services to staff, patients and visitors.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

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

Experience

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

Qualifications

• Basic Numeracy and Literacy education.
• Literacy Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE Grade C).
• Numeracy Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE Grade C).
• UK Full driving license.

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)