Job Description

Porters at Northampton General Hospital are the main support for the site in the transfer of patients and equipment. within this role you will be expected to support the safe and effective transfer of patients around our 25+wards and 60+ clinics.
Depending on the skills and person fit of the successful candidate these roles could be covering the full 24/7 shift rota or it could be working within our radiology transfer team.
To undertake general portering duties for all wards and departments, providing a professional and quality service to all users. This will include the safe transportation of patients using wheelchairs, stretchers and beds. The movement of equipment, collecting and delivering post are some of the duties undertaken by a porter.
Main duties of the job
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is looking to recruit a 'General Porter' to work in our busy Portering Services role. All staff at our hospital are dedicated to care for our Patients in many different ways. The Trusts Portering service is part of that caring ethos, supporting clinical care and the smooth running of the Trust 24/7 365 days a year.
The role is a diverse role and may include such duties as: transporting patients throughout the hospital, medical gas management, collection and delivery of post, movement of equipment and furniture, cleaning of Portering equipment, safe transport of deceased from wards with additional duties as required to meet the needs of the service and assist in providing the best possible care for patients.
There will also be additional development offered in line with appraisals to cover other Portering activities.
Successful applicant within this role will be expected to cover shifts across the full 24 hour period including weekends and bank holidays, this will initially be a structured rota pattern but may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service.
This is an extremely diverse role with a diverse team, often physically demanding, requiring good self organisational skills, team work and strong communication and confidence.
We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all people within our society.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Details
Date posted
12 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
24,465 a year Per annum or pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
265-7614861-COR
Job locations
Northampton General Hopsital
Cliftonville
Northampton
NN1 5BD
Job description
Job responsibilities

• Transport patients within the hospital in conjunction with Trust policies and departmental procedures.
• To communicate with all patients that are being transported within the hospital in a sensitive and tactful manner, whilst building a rapport. Ensuring they understand any instructions to maintain their safety whilst being transported.
• Undertake general mortuary duties in accordance with the agreed procedures.
• Delivery, collection and disposal of refuse, laundry and clinical waste from wards and departments.
• Safe collection and delivery of gas cylinders, beds, blood products, specimens, pharmacy products medical equipment, furniture and any other equipment around the hospital site.
• Change and replenish medical gas pipelines.
• Sorting, collection and delivery of all mail to designated areas.
• Cleaning duties as required in designated areas, incorporating trolley, wheelchairs, electric tugs, and all other relevant equipment.
• Undertake all training as necessary to enable satisfactory and competent completion of roe.
• To comply with specific instructions and working patterns when based in a particular department.
• Maintain high standards of infection control and hand hygiene during the performance of his/her duties.
• Work closely with Supervisors in producing a high standard of service to patients, staff and visitors.
• To contribute to the development of the Portering Service by putting forward suggestions for improvement.
• When nominated to lead and coordinate teams when supervisors are not available.
• To use 2 way radios to communicate.
• Flexibility in areas of work, as prescribed for the departmental needs
• To carry out all duties in accordance with the Trusts Health & Safety Policy and local departmental working practices.
• Any other work commensurate with the post or as requested by the Line Manager.

Successful candidates will be trained in all duties required for the role throughout the first month of working here to show in more detail what each of these roles entails Job description
Job responsibilities

• Transport patients within the hospital in conjunction with Trust policies and departmental procedures.
• To communicate with all patients that are being transported within the hospital in a sensitive and tactful manner, whilst building a rapport. Ensuring they understand any instructions to maintain their safety whilst being transported.
• Undertake general mortuary duties in accordance with the agreed procedures.
• Delivery, collection and disposal of refuse, laundry and clinical waste from wards and departments.
• Safe collection and delivery of gas cylinders, beds, blood products, specimens, pharmacy products medical equipment, furniture and any other equipment around the hospital site.
• Change and replenish medical gas pipelines.
• Sorting, collection and delivery of all mail to designated areas.
• Cleaning duties as required in designated areas, incorporating trolley, wheelchairs, electric tugs, and all other relevant equipment.
• Undertake all training as necessary to enable satisfactory and competent completion of roe.
• To comply with specific instructions and working patterns when based in a particular department.
• Maintain high standards of infection control and hand hygiene during the performance of his/her duties.
• Work closely with Supervisors in producing a high standard of service to patients, staff and visitors.
• To contribute to the development of the Portering Service by putting forward suggestions for improvement.
• When nominated to lead and coordinate teams when supervisors are not available.
• To use 2 way radios to communicate.
• Flexibility in areas of work, as prescribed for the departmental needs
• To carry out all duties in accordance with the Trusts Health & Safety Policy and local departmental working practices.
• Any other work commensurate with the post or as requested by the Line Manager.

Successful candidates will be trained in all duties required for the role throughout the first month of working here to show in more detail what each of these roles entails
Person Specification
Skills
Essential

• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to develop rapport with staff, patients and visitors
• Ability to multi task effectively and move from one task to another rapidly when priorities change
• Ability to prioritise & use initiative
• Computer Skills
• Ability to input data to manage monthly timesheet
• Excellent customer service skills
• Self-motivated to work under minimal supervision
• Ability to lead and coordinate a team when on duty
• Respect for patient privacy, dignity and confidentiality
• Able to undertake the frequent physical duties of the role such as pulling/pushing trollies, beds or similar
• Ability to undertake medical gas duties once trained
• Commitment to working the hours to fulfil the requirements of the job, including flexibility or working, where required
• Ability to carry out the full range of portering duties once trained
• Ability to record information correctly and legible
• Ability to remain calm under pressure or challenging situations

Knowledge
Essential

• Previous experience of working in a customer facing role
• Knowledge & understanding of different cultural needs
• Knowledge of good health & safety practices

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Previous portering experience
• Trained in health and safety practices

Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential

• No formal education is required as on the job instruction, training and theoretical knowledge is provided. Therefore the ability to retain information and learning is essential together with excellent communication skills (oral and written)

Desirable

• NVQ/Apprenticeship (or equivalent) in customer services

Person Specification
Skills
Essential

• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to develop rapport with staff, patients and visitors
• Ability to multi task effectively and move from one task to another rapidly when priorities change
• Ability to prioritise & use initiative
• Computer Skills
• Ability to input data to manage monthly timesheet
• Excellent customer service skills
• Self-motivated to work under minimal supervision
• Ability to lead and coordinate a team when on duty
• Respect for patient privacy, dignity and confidentiality
• Able to undertake the frequent physical duties of the role such as pulling/pushing trollies, beds or similar
• Ability to undertake medical gas duties once trained
• Commitment to working the hours to fulfil the requirements of the job, including flexibility or working, where required
• Ability to carry out the full range of portering duties once trained
• Ability to record information correctly and legible
• Ability to remain calm under pressure or challenging situations

Knowledge
Essential

• Previous experience of working in a customer facing role
• Knowledge & understanding of different cultural needs
• Knowledge of good health & safety practices

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Previous portering experience
• Trained in health and safety practices

Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential

• No formal education is required as on the job instruction, training and theoretical knowledge is provided. Therefore the ability to retain information and learning is essential together with excellent communication skills (oral and written)

Desirable

• NVQ/Apprenticeship (or equivalent) in customer services

Skills Required