Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

General Porter

The closing date is 20 January 2026

Job summary

The portering department runs a 24/7 Service across 2 large hospital sites, it has 126 WTE staff and the main objective of the service is to provide a first-class service to our staff, patients and visitors. Last year Guy's and St Thomas dealt with more than 1 million Patient contacts. We are fully dedicated to provide high quality, personal care for all for all our patients and this is at the heart of everything that we do.

Group Operations is part of Essentia, which deals with the operational side of the Trust i.e. Sterile Services, Catering, and Security etc. The Group Director has 6 Heads of Service within this department. Group Operations is a very busy department that deals with very diverse activities on a day-to-date basis.

Main duties of the job

Duties to include the movement of patients, specimens, blood products, gas cylinders, transfer of bodies including preparation for viewing and any other duties commensurate with the post.

About us

Our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it. It is important that you understand and reflect these values throughout your employment with the Trust.

oWe are caring

oWe are inclusive

oWe are ambitious

Details

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£30,074 a year p.a. inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

196-ESS1665-NW

Job locations

St Thomas' Hospital

London

SE1 7EH


Job description

Job responsibilities

To maintain proper care and attention to patients at all times

To communicate sensitively and courteously with patients, visitors and staff at all levels and at the same time deal with ongoing enquiries

Use reassurance and persuasive skills to promote cooperation from patients and relatives during transfers and negotiate with patients to consent to attend clinics

Use local knowledge and expertise of the built environment to ensure the safest and best patient experience during transfers and to maintain patient dignity at all times

To manage and maintain patient dignity and to minimise distress, assure and assist during transfers

To be responsible for transporting vulnerable, unwell patients to and from any Trust area/department/ward safely and securely

To be responsible for the safe and efficient transfer of critically unwell patients from the intensive care units

To assist in the physical transfer of patients between beds and trolleys, and support clinical staff with transferring patients

Secure transportation of specimens from wards and departments to any Trust location(s), in addition to Pathology and the laboratories in accordance with policy and quality procedures (PID 03)

Secure transportation of bloods to and from any Trust area / department / ward ensuring that cross reference is made against request form, blood book and blood component/product to meet blood collection legislation including collection and distribution of crash blood in line with legislation

Safe transportation of medical gas cylinders and associated equipment for use throughout the Trust, following implicitly the set health & safety protocols. (PID 12)

Transfer of beds, trolleys in line with quality document (PID 07) and other medical and non-medical equipment to any Trust location

Safe transportation of medications and pharmaceuticals out of hours when the procurement/stores team no longer provide this service

Safe transportation of patient meals when requested

Preparing and cleaning patient trolleys in STH theatre and Cath. Lab. area on a daily basis

Answer bleep for crash calls and Major Haemorrhage

Removal and transfer of bodies including adults and children from any Trust location to the mortuary in a dignified and respectful manner including checking of jewellery at ward level in presence of a clinician for audit trail purposes and logging the deceased details on the mortuary refrigerator in line with quality documents (PID 04 and 05) and mortuary policy

Prepare bodies including adults and children for viewing by relatives ensuring that deceased patient is suitable for viewing purposes in line with quality document (PID 06) and mortuary policy and where necessary assist the nurse when escorting relatives to the chapel of rest for viewing purposes

To be responsible for delivering life-saving equipment to an arrest e.g. running heart defibrillators to any location within the hospital and to be on standby at cardiac arrests to collect and deliver anything required for the patient

To monitor and report portering equipment for defects and cleanliness

Utilise the trust EPIC smartphone system to receive work and to report on work in progress

To carry out the cleaning of wheelchairs on a daily basis in accordance with the trust Infection Control policy

To ensure that wheelchairs are gathered throughout the day and parked at the appropriate location

To take corrective action when required adhere observed report defects and unsafe conditions

Observe and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures

Staff will attain all quality standards and systems laid down in the quality procedures

To inform the Portering Team Leader/Supervisor of any delay on the ward / department and seek advice

Staff will maintain the highest standards of courtesy and respect to patients, relatives and each other at all times

Ensure the highest standards of personal hygiene and tidiness at all times, including the wearing of uniforms provided in line with the GSTT uniform policy

To undertake training programmes at any time deemed appropriate by the Trust

Staff will ensure that they have a current I.D. badge and that it is worn at all times in a prominent place while on duty

Staff will refrain from alcohol and mood-altering substances, and must not, in any way be under the influence of alcohol or mood-altering substances whilst on duty

Under no circumstances shall staff take any form of reward or remuneration from patients, escorts, relatives or anyone associated with the patient

Staff will ensure that any complaints received are passed on promptly to the Portering Team Leader

The post-holder will be expected to fulfil any duties allocated that are commensurate with the role

To maintain the high standard of cleanliness in the mess room and locker room provided at all times

To carry out the delivery of patient belongings from Surgical Admission Lounge (SAL) to the wards/departments in a secured trolley as per procedure and training

Ensure that the handover of patient upon arriving to the clinic/department and wards are correctly followed in line with the trust protocol

Job description

Job responsibilities

To maintain proper care and attention to patients at all times

To communicate sensitively and courteously with patients, visitors and staff at all levels and at the same time deal with ongoing enquiries

Use reassurance and persuasive skills to promote cooperation from patients and relatives during transfers and negotiate with patients to consent to attend clinics

Use local knowledge and expertise of the built environment to ensure the safest and best patient experience during transfers and to maintain patient dignity at all times

To manage and maintain patient dignity and to minimise distress, assure and assist during transfers

To be responsible for transporting vulnerable, unwell patients to and from any Trust area/department/ward safely and securely

To be responsible for the safe and efficient transfer of critically unwell patients from the intensive care units

To assist in the physical transfer of patients between beds and trolleys, and support clinical staff with transferring patients

Secure transportation of specimens from wards and departments to any Trust location(s), in addition to Pathology and the laboratories in accordance with policy and quality procedures (PID 03)

Secure transportation of bloods to and from any Trust area / department / ward ensuring that cross reference is made against request form, blood book and blood component/product to meet blood collection legislation including collection and distribution of crash blood in line with legislation

Safe transportation of medical gas cylinders and associated equipment for use throughout the Trust, following implicitly the set health & safety protocols. (PID 12)

Transfer of beds, trolleys in line with quality document (PID 07) and other medical and non-medical equipment to any Trust location

Safe transportation of medications and pharmaceuticals out of hours when the procurement/stores team no longer provide this service

Safe transportation of patient meals when requested

Preparing and cleaning patient trolleys in STH theatre and Cath. Lab. area on a daily basis

Answer bleep for crash calls and Major Haemorrhage

Removal and transfer of bodies including adults and children from any Trust location to the mortuary in a dignified and respectful manner including checking of jewellery at ward level in presence of a clinician for audit trail purposes and logging the deceased details on the mortuary refrigerator in line with quality documents (PID 04 and 05) and mortuary policy

Prepare bodies including adults and children for viewing by relatives ensuring that deceased patient is suitable for viewing purposes in line with quality document (PID 06) and mortuary policy and where necessary assist the nurse when escorting relatives to the chapel of rest for viewing purposes

To be responsible for delivering life-saving equipment to an arrest e.g. running heart defibrillators to any location within the hospital and to be on standby at cardiac arrests to collect and deliver anything required for the patient

To monitor and report portering equipment for defects and cleanliness

Utilise the trust EPIC smartphone system to receive work and to report on work in progress

To carry out the cleaning of wheelchairs on a daily basis in accordance with the trust Infection Control policy

To ensure that wheelchairs are gathered throughout the day and parked at the appropriate location

To take corrective action when required adhere observed report defects and unsafe conditions

Observe and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures

Staff will attain all quality standards and systems laid down in the quality procedures

To inform the Portering Team Leader/Supervisor of any delay on the ward / department and seek advice

Staff will maintain the highest standards of courtesy and respect to patients, relatives and each other at all times

Ensure the highest standards of personal hygiene and tidiness at all times, including the wearing of uniforms provided in line with the GSTT uniform policy

To undertake training programmes at any time deemed appropriate by the Trust

Staff will ensure that they have a current I.D. badge and that it is worn at all times in a prominent place while on duty

Staff will refrain from alcohol and mood-altering substances, and must not, in any way be under the influence of alcohol or mood-altering substances whilst on duty

Under no circumstances shall staff take any form of reward or remuneration from patients, escorts, relatives or anyone associated with the patient

Staff will ensure that any complaints received are passed on promptly to the Portering Team Leader

The post-holder will be expected to fulfil any duties allocated that are commensurate with the role

To maintain the high standard of cleanliness in the mess room and locker room provided at all times

To carry out the delivery of patient belongings from Surgical Admission Lounge (SAL) to the wards/departments in a secured trolley as per procedure and training

Ensure that the handover of patient upon arriving to the clinic/department and wards are correctly followed in line with the trust protocol

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Able to take and record information accurately

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within a large team 100+.
  • Experience working with the general public

Desirable

  • Previous Portering experience
  • Experience in a health care environment

Skills/Knowledge/ Ability

Essential

  • Good command of the English language including oral & Written communication skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Highly motivated

Physical requirements

Essential

  • The ability to lift and move patients in line with manual handling training.
  • The ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Able to take and record information accurately

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within a large team 100+.
  • Experience working with the general public

Desirable

  • Previous Portering experience
  • Experience in a health care environment

Skills/Knowledge/ Ability

Essential

  • Good command of the English language including oral & Written communication skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Highly motivated

Physical requirements

Essential

  • The ability to lift and move patients in line with manual handling training.
  • The ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Thomas' Hospital

London

SE1 7EH


Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Thomas' Hospital

London

SE1 7EH


Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Portering Team Leader

Ian Taylor

Ian.Taylor44@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£30,074 a year p.a. inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

196-ESS1665-NW

Job locations

St Thomas' Hospital

London

SE1 7EH


Supporting documents

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