Job Purpose
The Hospital Porter is an essential member of the multidisciplinary team at St. Joseph’s Hospital, providing a safe, efficient, responsive and compassionate portering, patient transport, equipment and logistical support service across the Campus.
The post-holder will work closely with nursing, medical, clinical and support services to facilitate the safe movement and care of patients, equipment, medical gases, clinical samples, blood products, furniture, supplies and other hospital items.
The post-holder will undertake additional specialist responsibilities including stock ordering and control, management and decontamination of specialist clinical equipment, Support and assistance to nursing staff with patient care and repositioning.

General Portering and Patient Transport

• Safely transport patients to and from wards, departments, diagnostic areas and theatres for tests, procedures and transfers of care.
• Assess the most appropriate method of patient transport in conjunction with the patient and clinical staff, including walking escort, wheelchair, trolley or bed.
• Use appropriate manual-handling techniques, hoists and other aids to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
• Confirm patient identity and destination to ensure the right patient reaches the right place at the right time.
• Communicate clearly and compassionately with patients and relatives regarding the purpose and route of transport.
• Raise concerns with appropriate clinical staff if a patient appears unsuitable or unfit for transfer.
• Maintain patient dignity, privacy and confidentiality at all times, including when moving and handling deceased patients.
• Transport beds, bed tables, linen, waste, soiled linen, medical devices, equipment, patient charts, documents and other items as requested.
• Transport clinical samples in accordance with relevant procedures and infection-control requirements.
• Collect and deliver blood products without delay and in accordance with Blood Bank guidelines and required timeframes.
• Transport, replace and regularly check medical gases in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.

• Respond promptly and calmly to emergency calls and alerts.
• Undertake general portering duties throughout the Campus and participate in relevant overtime arrangements where required.
• Rotate into Theatre Department at St Joseph’s Hospital (full training will be provided)

Stock Ordering and Control

• Order departmental supplies as required, excluding drugs.
• Ensure supplies are ordered appropriately, are not over-ordered and are rotated.
• Ensure adequate stock is available in advance of weekends, planned leave and other periods of increased demand.
• Put away deliveries and dispose of excess packaging in accordance with waste-management procedures.
• Order urgent or ad-hoc supplies and special stock when required.
• Liaise with relevant companies and suppliers regarding specific orders when required.
• Use designated hospital systems to place and manage stock orders.
• Liaise closely with nursing and clinical staff regarding stock requirements.
• Liaise with Dietetics and Physiotherapy regarding their stock requirements within the unit.
• Maintain store rooms and utility rooms in a clean, orderly and safe condition.
• Provide advice and guidance regarding specific products and ordering requirements for specialist equipment where trained and appropriate.

Infection Prevention, Health and Safety

• Comply with all hospital infection-prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
• Follow safe procedures when handling contaminated equipment, clinical waste, soiled linen, bodily fluids and potentially infectious materials.
• Apply appropriate manual-handling techniques at all times.
• Assess loads before lifting or moving and use trolleys, hoists and other equipment where required.
• Report hazards, incidents, equipment defects and safety concerns through the appropriate hospital procedures.
• Complete required documentation and incident reports.
• Maintain a safe, clean and orderly working environment.

Training and Development

• Undertake all mandatory and additional training provided by St. Joseph’s Hospital.
• Maintain mandatory training requirements and keep relevant training records up to date.
• Complete training in manual handling, infection prevention and control, PPE, DECT systems and basic life support where required.
• Undertake training relevant to specialist equipment and duties.
• Provide on-the-job training, instruction, advice and guidance to new or temporary Portering staff where required and where appropriately trained.
• Participate in the introduction and testing of new equipment and procedures as required.

Professional Standards

• Treat patients, relatives, visitors and colleagues with dignity, respect and compassion.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with hospital requirements.
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate reliability, flexibility and willingness to support colleagues and other departments.
• Work within the limits of training, competence and hospital policy.
• Escalate concerns regarding patient safety, equipment, stock, infection control or service delivery to the appropriate person.
• Maintain a professional standard of conduct at all times.

Flexibility and Service Requirements

The Porter may be required to work across different departments and areas of St. Joseph’s Hospital & RCNU according to service requirements.

Duties and responsibilities may vary according, department and service requirements.

This job description is not exhaustive. The post-holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role, training and service requirements. Duties and responsibilities may be reviewed and amended from time to time to reflect changes in hospital services, clinical requirements, equipment, technology, policies and operational needs.

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. 

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

Each candidate must:

Be educated to Leaving Certificate Level or equivalent

Desirable:

FETAC Level 5 qualification relevant to Healthcare
Experience of working in the Public Health Service

The following criteria are based on the duties and responsibilities identified in the source job descriptions. Specific recruitment requirements should be confirmed by St. Joseph’s Hospital HR/Portering Management.

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name: Luke Mulvaney

Email address: Lukemulvaney@beaumont.ie

  (Please note no applications will be accepted sent to this email address).