General Porter

To work as part of the operational team responsible for providing a comprehensive patient support service in the hospital environment. This will involve carrying out the following Facilities Management functions:

• The primary function is the movement of patients, consumable products, waste, furniture, medical equipment, gasses, beds, mattresses etc.
• The cleaning of all Portering equipment, delivery of blood products and responding to Major incident.
• To deliver emergency blood products

To provide a high quality responsive, efficient and effective patent support service to wards, and departments in North Bristol NHS Trust acting in a caring and professional manner and working in line with the Facilities and departmental operating procedures.

Knowledge

• Understanding of Portering activities
• Understanding of Department and Trust Health and Safety policies, written safe systems of systems of work and Department rules and procedures
• Understanding of Portering equipment processes
• Understanding and knowledge of pathology procedures for movement of blood products

Training

• Customer and support services or equivalent experience to an NVQ Level 2
• Mandatory training as required for the role
• Collection and transportation of blood products
• Trust, Patient Support/Directorate Services induction training
• On the job induction training

Physical Effort

• Duties involve standing/walking for long periods of time during the shift
• Duties may involve undertaking physically demanding tasks e.g. moving cages of approximately 300kg in weight as and when required

Mental Effort

• Being aware of health and safety implications involved in duties and their potential effect on others e.g. Ensuring that equipment is stored appropriately
• At ward level keeping a professional distance from patients and ensuring confidentiality at all times
• Working to schedules which may be subject to change

Emotional effort

• Whilst working at ward level being able to cope with witnessing distressing sights of patients who are very ill and may be at the end stages of life
• Whilst working in the Emergency Department witnessing traumatic injuries
• In the course of your duties you will need to be sensitive when coming into contact with patients and members of the public who may be experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety are confrontational or under the influence of alcahol

Working conditions

• You will be expected to display a professional image at all times
• You will be required to wear clean official uniform and covered in low-heeled footwear
• You will be expected to comply the department and trust policies relating to uniform and the wearing of jewellery, nail polish etc
• You will be expected to act in a courteous manner to all staff, visitors and patients

Experience

• Working a busy multi-faceted environment
• Working a team based environment

Communication & Relational skills

• Good verbal communication skills
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Ability to work in a sensitive and unobtrusive manner around patients
• Ability to use relevant electrical equipment safely
• Ability to clean and maintain all Portering equipment in line with hygiene practises and protocols
• Ability to assist in and demonstrating duties and operating procedures and good practice guides without the need for direct supervision
• Be flexible in carrying out duties as instructed by Patient Support Team Leaders and relevant managers in accordance with the Departmental Rules and Procedures
• Basic IT skills