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Hospital Porter
Great Western Hospital
Full time – 38.5 hours per week
4 on, 4 off, 08.00 – 20.00, 20.00 – 08.00, Shift Relief
£11.45 per hour, plus Serco benefits
Main Purpose:
Reporting to the portering supervisors, this position is responsible for the process of transporting patients internally within the hospital in a dignified, safe, and efficient manner that demonstrates compassion and empathy. The position will be responsible for providing a high-quality portering service to all patients, visitors, staff members and other stakeholders by quickly and efficiently moving not only patients, but also equipment, documentation, waste, medical specimens, blood products, medical gases, pharmaceutical products, furniture, mail, goods and materials and any other reasonable task that may be required in a safe and efficient manner. It is expected that this position demonstrates and embodies both Serco’s CARE’s values and behaviours as well as acting as an ambassador for the Great Western Hospital.
Main Accountabilities:
This role will be responsible for providing a high-quality portering service to great western hospital, requiring the following tasks to be carried out in a dignified, safe, and efficient manner:
Core
- General care and movement of equipment throughout the site where necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the hospital. This includes the movement of furniture and any relevant patient transport equipment. During any emergency and evacuation situations, or security situations the post holder may have to respond and assist as required by great western hospital policies and procedures. The post holder will ensure wheelchairs and trolleys are both kept clean and ensure safe practice to minimise the risks of infection to patients and staff in accordance with national and great western hospital policy, in particular to be aware of their responsibilities as listed in the Infection control Policy and also that they are stored in their designated storage locations and maintain the cleanliness of all working areas including the porters lodge and being mindful to give assistance and wherever possible to help with any queries raised by patients, visitors and staff.
Portering
- Undertake a range of general and ad-hoc tasks on a day-to-day basis to meet the requirements of the great western hospital including all patient transportation to and from wards and departments in an appropriate manner by means of wheelchairs, patient trolleys, beds, or walking, including deceased patients to the mortuary in a comfortable and dignified manner, taking into consideration the religious beliefs of the patient and the relatives. Non-patient portering will include the movement of mattresses, pharmaceutical products, medical specimens and blood products, medical gases (including liquid nitrogen) and confidential medical records. The post holder will also have to ensure the safe storage and maintenance of appropriate stock, medical gases, and supplies, specifically adhering to health and safety regulations around type and size and ensure that these are available as required within the designated area.
- There may be a requirement to prepare a deceased patient for viewing on occasion.
Waste Portering
- Undertake the movement of waste bins (including general waste and clinical waste), confidential waste, sharps waste and bulky waste as required to maintain high levels of cleanliness to maintain infection control in compliance with great western hospital policies and procedures whilst assisting Serco and great western hospital in running an effective waste recycling and waste minimisation system, including shredding when required. The recycling area must be always kept clean and tidy to prevent pest related problems.
Distribution Portering
- Undertake the movement of mail, goods, and materials across the site in line with both local site confidentiality policies and Caldicott Principles. Deliveries will also be processed and franked (where appropriate) and where applicable, returned to suppliers.
Health and Safety
- Report immediately to your line manager and/or other appropriate person any faults or defects to great western hospital or Company equipment or premises, especially those which could be dangerous and report any accidents or near misses to the appropriate manager and complete the appropriate incident/accident forms. All work must be undertaken in line with health, safety, security, Company and great western hospital policies and procedures including infection control at all times.
- Any other reasonable request as directed by the Service Supervisor to ensure that the Portering Service operates in both an efficient and effective manner.
Other Responsibilities
- Ensure correct and appropriate use of all communication equipment issued at all times in compliance with the local guidelines and procedures and operate in line with task timeframes as per the specification of the contract, avoiding financial penalties, communicating with both the Helpdesk, Dispatch, and Service Supervisors in a professional manner when this is not possible.
- If driving duties are required, these must be in accordance with on-site restrictions, speed, and statutory regulations. The post holder will have to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy and safe before, during and after use, and complete relevant documentation each time whilst also making sure that the vehicles are kept clean and tidy and are cleaned inside and out.
- To have a flexible approach to working with new innovations and technologies to aid and enhance service delivery.
- Maintain a clean, neat, and tidy appearance, complying with Company and Great Western Hospital uniform and hand care guidelines and high standards or personal hygiene.
- To carry out any other reasonable request as directed by the Service Supervisor or management team to ensure that the Portering Service operates in both an efficient and effective manner.
What you will need for the role:
- The post holder will work in an environment where they could be exposed to sensitive circumstances.
- The post holder will be exposed to some unpleasant environmental conditions.
- This role involves long periods of intense activity/effort including pushing, pulling and standing.
- This role may require driving a vehicle, in which case a full clean driving license will be required.
- The post holder will be expected to support in emergency situations and carry out duties not normally expected of them in their role.
- Frontline experience with customer services.
- Experience in a manual handling role.
- Basic literacy ability.
- Proficient in the use of a PC, including the use of software and systems.
- High standards of personal hygiene
- Ability and willingness to work shifts, including night shifts, weekends, bank holidays, Monday to Sunday – including religious holidays such as Christmas.
- Ability to follow instructions.
- Able to work under pressure.
- Ability to deal with stressful situations.
What we offer
- Salary: Competitive salaries with annual reviews.
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
- Holidays: 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Training and development: We offer a wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
- Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres.
- Discounts: Save across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel.
- ShareSave scheme: Helps you save regularly with the choice to buy Serco shares at a discount at the end of your savings period.
- Employee networks: Dedicated networks where colleagues can come together to find support, share challenges, discuss ideas, network and be part of a community.
- Charity: Support a charity or organisation with a paid volunteering day each year. You can also choose to donate to your favourite charity tax-free, through our Payroll Giving Scheme.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.
