General Porter

Job overview

We are looking to recruit a General Porter to provide a comprehensive and responsive portering service across the Trust. The role supports patient flow and the delivery of clinical services through the safe movement of patients, equipment, materials and supplies.

The post holder will work across multiple Trust sites and hospital areas, including clinical and non-clinical environments, and will be required to respond to both routine and emergency situations in line with Trust procedures.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will be responsible for the safe and timely movement of patients using wheelchairs, beds and trolleys across all hospital areas, including wards, A&E, maternity and diagnostic departments. Duties include the delivery and collection of clinical and non-clinical items such as specimens, blood products, medical gases, linen and mail, ensuring items are handled safely and prioritised appropriately. The role involves supporting clinical staff with patient movement, including manual handling tasks, and working in line with health and safety and infection control procedures. The post holder will also support emergency and incident response across the hospital, including fire alarm response, evacuation support, and assisting clinical and operational teams as directed. The role requires a flexible approach to work, including working across multiple areas and responding to changing service demands.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Core Portering Duties Safe and timely movement of patients using wheelchairs, beds and trolleys. Transport of patients across all areas including wards, A&E, Paediatric A&E, maternity and diagnostic departments. Handling patients of all ages, backgrounds and levels of mobility and mental capacity. Completion of porter tasks using Trust systems (including communication devices) for job allocation. Use of Trust‑provided equipment safely and appropriately. Clinical and Non-Clinical Transport Collection and delivery of: Specimens to laboratories Blood and blood products Medical records and other documentation Ensuring correct identification, handling and prioritisation of urgent clinical items. Mortuary Duties Transfer of deceased patients to the mortuary. Accurate booking-in procedures in line with Trust policy. Always maintaining dignity and respect. Medical Gas and Supplies ·         Delivery, collection and replenishment of medical gas cylinders (e.g. oxygen) across wards and departments. ·         Acceptance and checking of medical gas deliveries, ensuring accuracy and safe storage. ·         Monitoring ward stock levels and carrying out routine checks to maintain adequate supply. ·         Completing stock count documentation and submitting to pharmacy for ordering. ·         Safe handling, transportation and storage in line with Trust procedures and training. Linen and Logistics Support ·         Delivery and collection of linen across wards and departments. ·         Carrying out routine ward stock checks to monitor linen levels. ·         Recording linen stock levels and ensuring adequate quantities are prepared and delivered. ·         Using stock level information to prepare and pack linen trolleys based on ward and departmental requirements. ·         Transporting linen trolleys safely to wards and departments. ·         Supporting linen distribution to maintain continuous service provision across clinical areas. ·         Movement of furniture, equipment and bulk items as required. ·         Supporting ward and departmental moves or reconfigurations. Post Room and Mail Handling Collection, sorting and delivery of internal and external mail across the Trust. Accurate distribution of post to wards, departments and administrative areas. Collection of outgoing mail and ensuring timely dispatch. Use of a franking machine to process outgoing mail in line with Trust procedures. Handling of confidential and sensitive correspondence in line with Trust policies and GDPR requirements. Transportation of small parcels, recorded delivery items and urgent documents. Prioritisation of urgent or time-sensitive deliveries (e.g. clinical correspondence or same‑day items). Maintaining organisation of post room areas and ensuring mail is stored safely before delivery. Manual Handling ·         Carrying out manual handling tasks safely in line with training and Trust procedures. ·         Use of appropriate equipment (e.g. slide sheets, trolleys, lateral transfer boards and handling aids). ·         Supporting clinical staff with patient movement, including lateral transfers using slide sheets and transfer boards. ·         Frequent walking, pushing and pulling of patients and equipment across the hospital site. ·         Regular use of stairs across multiple floors as part of daily duties, including during emergency situations. ·         Assisting with emergency evacuations, including movement of patients and equipment from upper floors where required. ·         Ensuring patient dignity, comfort and safety is maintained during all manual handling tasks. Emergency Response ·         Immediate attendance and support during emergency calls, including but not limited to: o   Cardiac arrests o   Trauma calls o   Major haemorrhages ·         Response to fire alarms and supporting fire safety procedures in line with Trust policy. ·         Assisting with emergency evacuations, including movement of patients, staff and equipment. ·         Meeting and escorting emergency services on hospital grounds and guiding them to the required location. ·         Supporting security functions during incidents, including monitoring access points and verifying staff identification where required. ·         Supporting clinical and emergency response teams as directed during incidents. ·         Working flexibly to respond to unforeseen or unplanned emergency situations across the Trust. Health & Safety / Governance Working in line with Trust policies, infection control standards and safe systems of work. Reporting incidents, hazards or equipment faults promptly. Maintaining accurate records and completing required documentation. Communication Communicating effectively with patients, visitors and staff. Providing reassurance to patients during transport. Working closely with clinical teams to support patient flow. The post holder will be required to work flexibly across multiple Trust sites and hospital areas. Working hours, shift patterns and duties may be adjusted to meet service needs, with appropriate notice provided.
• Safe and timely movement of patients using wheelchairs, beds and trolleys.
• Transport of patients across all areas including wards, A&E, Paediatric A&E, maternity and diagnostic departments.
• Handling patients of all ages, backgrounds and levels of mobility and mental capacity.
• Completion of porter tasks using Trust systems (including communication devices) for job allocation.
• Use of Trust‑provided equipment safely and appropriately.
• Collection and delivery of: Specimens to laboratories Blood and blood products Medical records and other documentation
• Specimens to laboratories
• Blood and blood products
• Medical records and other documentation
• Ensuring correct identification, handling and prioritisation of urgent clinical items.
• Transfer of deceased patients to the mortuary.
• Accurate booking-in procedures in line with Trust policy.
• Always maintaining dignity and respect.
• Collection, sorting and delivery of internal and external mail across the Trust.
• Accurate distribution of post to wards, departments and administrative areas.
• Collection of outgoing mail and ensuring timely dispatch.
• Use of a franking machine to process outgoing mail in line with Trust procedures.
• Handling of confidential and sensitive correspondence in line with Trust policies and GDPR requirements.
• Transportation of small parcels, recorded delivery items and urgent documents.
• Prioritisation of urgent or time-sensitive deliveries (e.g. clinical correspondence or same‑day items).
• Maintaining organisation of post room areas and ensuring mail is stored safely before delivery.
• Working in line with Trust policies, infection control standards and safe systems of work.
• Reporting incidents, hazards or equipment faults promptly.
• Maintaining accurate records and completing required documentation.
• Communicating effectively with patients, visitors and staff.
• Providing reassurance to patients during transport.
• Working closely with clinical teams to support patient flow.