Job overview

Job overview
As one of the largest acute teaching Trust’s in England, we can offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. We believe you deserve the best possible surroundings in which to do your job and we want to support you in doing your job to the best of your ability.

The Portering department is an essential part of the hospital as it is responsible for the movement of patients and other items around the Trust to ensure the hospital runs smoothly every day of the week.

About the team:

The Portering Department is an essential part of the Hospital. A hospital porter moves patients, equipment and numerous other medical paraphernalia between the various areas of the hospital. Hospital Porters are essential in maintaining the smooth running of the hospital. A significant aspect of this job is patient care. They transfer patients to and from various locations, such as from the ward to the x-ray department.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What you’ll do:

As a Porter you will transfer patients to and from various locations, such as from the ward to the x-ray department. Customer service is a vital part of this role. You will also find yourself providing comfort/reassurance to patients during their transfers. The role is always varied and interesting, as porters help people of different ages and from different walks of life daily. Hospital porters also have the important job of moving vital, often extremely costly, equipment between the different departments of a hospital. The job can be both physically and emotionally taxing, this includes moving deceased patients to the mortuary. Porters use a variety of specialist healthcare equipment, including, wheelchairs, trolleys and medical beds. This role also includes the movement of patients to and from the Helipad.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for Confident and friendly individuals with a real appetite to provide a professional service to patients during their transfers. A helpful and courteous manner is required at all times when dealing with patients, visitors and other staff.

Shifts will consist of Days, Nights, Early and Twilight shifts across 7 days of the week.

Based primarily at the Southampton General Hospital you will be required to transport Patients, specimens/blood and other items throughout the site in a reliable, friendly and caring manner and to respond at the Helipad as required. 

Unfortunately, if you were unsuccessful in your previous application within the last 6 months, you are ineligible to re-apply for this role "

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications / training required

Essential criteria

• Good standard of literacy and numeracy
• A good standard of computer skills

Desirable criteria

• NVQ relating to Customer Care/Public Services

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• Previous experience of dealing with the public/other agencies

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential criteria

• Able to communicate with a wide range of people
• Able to work as a team member
• Able to be resilient/discreet when dealing with patients/visitors and may be exposed to traumatic sights
• Able to work in a busy environment

Special requirements of the post

Essential criteria

• Shift work ranging over a 24 hour 7 day period i.e. 0600 to 1400, 1400 to 2200 and 2200 to 0600. Ability to be flexible

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.