Porter Supervisor

Transformation Unit; Wigan; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking for a Porter Supervisor to manage day-to-day portering operations across the Trust. The role covers 24/7 shift patterns and requires strong numeracy and communication skills with an emphasis on safety and efficiency.

The successful candidate will supervise the porter team, plan rotas, and ensure timely movement of patients and goods, while upholding HR and Health & Safety standards.

Qualifications

• Requires previous supervisory experience.
• Numeracy and good communication skills are essential.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety and HR policies is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day portering duties and allocate tasks to staff.
• Plan rotas, track timesheets, and manage holiday/sickness coverage.
• Assist in recruitment and staff development and conduct return-to-work interviews.
• Ensure safe handling of equipment and goods movement across sites.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Numeracy

Communication

Microsoft Office

HR policies

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Main area Porter Supervisor Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Shifts required cover a 24/7 pattern) Job ref 302-26-8278984E

Employer Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Albert Edward Infirmary Town Wigan Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 15/10/2026 08:00

NHS AfC: Band 3

People at the Heart. One Team. Your Career at WWL.

Job overview

Shifts required cover a 24/7/365 pattern.

Providing an efficient day to day service for the movement of patients, Pharmacy, Post and all manner of other items to and from all departments across the Trust. Portering Services provides 24 hours, 7 day a week service across all trust sites.

Based at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, the successful candidate will have excellent numeracy and communication skills, an excellent attendance record and be flexible in their availability to work cover shifts as necessary. Previous supervisory experience is essential. A working knowledge of Microsoft office programs, management of Health and Safety, and HR policies is essential.

Please be aware that the interview process will involve a practical assessment.

Please note that this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

THIS POSITION IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SPONSORSHIP.

Main duties of the job

To supervise the day to day running and organisation of portering duties to ensure the smooth and effective service provision for the transfer of patients, goods, mail, supplies and movements between clinical and non-clinical areas.

Ensure that rotas are completed, Monthly timesheets are entered onto our electronic recording system, training records are completed, back to work interviews are undertaken and participate in Personal Development Reviews,

Assist and support the Deputy Hotel Services Managers across the whole range of duties in the efficient and cost-effective operational utilisation and management of Porters/Storekeepers & Waste Porters across all sites.

Working for our organisation

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that ‘happy staff, makes for happy patients’. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement and living our values.

· People at the Heart

· Listen and Involve

· Kind and Respectful

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. We are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key results from the job holder

• As part of the Porter Team the Supervisor works closely with colleagues covering the full range of duties, including the supervision, direction, control and allocation of duties to others to ensure the efficient delivery of services to users.
• The post holder will undertake specific duties during his shift in the absence of the Deputy Hotel Services Manager

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Supervise and directs activities, prioritising work requests.
• Monitors stock of Vernaid and Gas Cylinders including VIE Oxygen levels.
• Undertakes the movement of patients and goods as required, including the movement of the deceased to the mortuary.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Works with the Manager to implement changes in service delivery.
• Liaises with Wards & Departments regarding the movement of patient goods
• Handles complaints from users and takes preliminary action to resolve.
• Liaises with external agencies and suppliers as required

Responsibility for Finance

• Completes forms and costings for ad hoc work requests.
• Assists in the control and allocation of overtime within set guidelines
• Assists in the re-ordering of stock, as and when required
• Allocation and security of keys within set guidelines

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Plan rotas and allocates Porter’s duties, identifying staff shortages and resolving or covering where necessary to ensure minimal disruption to service.
• Maintains information relating to personal files and work requests
• Manages first line sickness absence monitoring and Return to Work Interviews.
• Completes PDR and KSF reviews with staff
• Participates in recruitment and selection.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

• Ensures all equipment is maintained in working order and reports faults, direct to manufacturer if necessary
• Attends fire calls, acts as point of contact and directs Fire Brigade.
• Attend relevant Training Courses as directed.

Person specification

Additional

• Flexibility to provide cover for colleagues annual leave/sickness
• Contactable out of hours.
• Responsive to service needs.
• Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation
• Ability to travel independently between all Trust sites.

Knowledge

• High level of knowledge on portering services, equipment, medical gases, their handling and safe usage procedures, tugs and specialist beds and equipment.
• Knowledge of Trust policies and service user departmental procedures inclusive of waste protocols.
• The ability to prioritise, organise and delegate duties efficiently to staff.
• Knowledge of portering services, equipment, medical gases, their handling and safe usage procedures, tugs and specialist beds and equipment.

Skills

• Efficient handling of complaints, enquiries and the allocation of duties.
• Ability to use and advise on the use of portering equipment
• Previous use of MHE Experience in the use of medical gases.
• Experience of manual handling.

Experience

• Previous experience as a Porter with an in-depth knowledge of Portering protocols in relation to current best practices.
• Able to advise on procedures and practices to less experienced members of staff.
• Previous experience in a Supervisory role.

Our preferred method of application is online. If you experience any difficulties submitting your application, please contact the Recruitment Team on 01942 773823 for support.

Using AI when writing job applications
If you choose to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist in writing your application, it’s essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting statement to reflect the skills and experience to match your job application. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting statement is not advocated by Wrightington Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as it could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process. Please refer to the attached "Applying for a role in the NHS guidance" for further information regarding the use of AI.

The Trust reserves the right to close adverts earlier than the stated closing date if there is a high volume of applications.

We endeavour to inform all applicants of the outcome of their application by email or SMS text message.

Guidance on Completing Your Application

Applications are assessed against the person specification. We strongly encourage you to use the supporting information section to demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria, providing clear examples where possible.

On-Call

Please note that some roles may require participation in an on-call rota, particularly those that are operational in nature.

WWL is part of the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. We recognise continuous or ‘unbroken’ service from any Greater Manchester Local Authority, NHS organisation, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This ensures access to our service-related benefits.

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.

Name Sandy Greer Job title Deputy Hotel Services Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01942822006 Additional information

For information, please contact Sandra Pennant on 01942 778823, or in writing to Hotel Services Manager, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan Lane, Wigan, WN1 2NN.

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Buckingham Row
Brick Kiln Lane
Wigan
WN1 1XX
Telephone [phone]