Hospital porter
Keep hospitals running smoothly as you transport patients, equipment and medication between different areas of the building.
About the job
What it's like
In this role, you'll help people in hospitals get around the building. You'll also deliver the vital supplies and equipment that keep the hospital running smoothly.
Hospital porters help transport patients safely, for example from their ward to the X-ray department. As part of this, you'll help the person into a wheelchair or onto a hospital trolley. You'll take them to the right place at the right time and bring them back to their ward.
Sometimes, patients may be frightened or in pain. Hospital porters must be friendly, helpful and able to cope well when people are sick or distressed.
Your work could take you anywhere across the hospital site. In some healthcare settings, you'll help with security – this may involve working on the reception desk and doing patrols.
Your tasks might include:
moving patients between wards and departments
dealing with incoming and outgoing mail
delivering clean linen to wards from the laundry department
collecting domestic and clinical waste, some of which may be hazardous
transporting furniture and medical equipment safely
transferring files, specimen samples and pharmacy boxes to different parts of the hospital
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Disclosure Scotland – learn more about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
NHS Scotland Careers – find out how you can become a hospital porter
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- reliable
- social conscience
- empathising
- verbal communication
- supporting
- cooperating
- building relationships
- resilience
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Care
Work
Generally, you don't need any specific qualifications to become a hospital porter. Although, employers expect you to have a good standard of numeracy and literacy.
Having some relevant healthcare experience will help your job application stand out. You could build this experience through paid roles or voluntary work. Search for healthcare-based volunteering opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
Use the My World of Work job search to find vacancies.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an SVQ, can help you find a job. Useful subjects include:
Customer Service
Hospitality Services
Facilities Services
Use the My World of Work course search to find college opportunities.
You’ll work with many different people, so strong customer service skills are useful.
All hospital porters must be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, run by Disclosure Scotland.
For some roles, you may need a UK driving licence.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Hospital porter'
