Porter Services Coordinator

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.

This post is only open to internal applicants

THIS POST IS ONLY OPEN TO UHS PORTERS

Main duties of the job

THIS POST IS ONLY OPEN TO UHS PORTERS

Are you an organised, people-focused leader who thrives in a fast-paced operational environment? Our Portering Services Coordinator plays a crucial role in keeping the hospital moving — ensuring patients, equipment, and essential services flow smoothly and safely across our sites.

In this key position, you’ll lead and support our Portering Supervisors and Portering team, making sure daily tasks are delivered efficiently, compassionately, and in line with patient needs. You’ll be the go-to point for operational queries, helping to resolve issues quickly, maintain service continuity, and keep staff deployed where they’re needed most.

Your work will directly impact patient experience and the quality of care we provide. From coordinating patient transfers and supporting emergency response, to maintaining high standards of safety and infection prevention. Your leadership will help the Trust deliver safe, reliable, and dignified services every day.

You’ll report to the Deputy Operations Manager and work closely with

the Site Operations Team, ward colleagues, and a wide range of clinical and non-clinical staff. You’ll also play a key role in staff development, leading inductions, delivering training, and fostering a positive, professional team culture. When required, you’ll deputise for the Deputy Operations Manager, supporting the wider leadership of the service.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong organisational skills, a calm and confident approach, and a passion for supporting teams to deliver great patient care

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Job Description & Responsibilities:

Responsibilities

In this role, you will play a key part in ensuring the smooth, safe, and efficient delivery of Portering services across the Trust. Your responsibilities will include:

Supporting the day‑to‑day coordination of Portering activity, ensuring patient transfers, equipment moves, helipad duties, and other essential tasks are completed safely, promptly, and in line with service priorities.

Acting as the first point of escalation for Portering Supervisors, helping to resolve operational issues, manage delays, and maintain continuity of service across shifts.

Leading and supporting staff development, delivering team briefings, contributing to handovers, supporting inductions, and monitoring mandatory training compliance to ensure staff are confident, capable, and well‑informed.

Contributing to service quality and improvement, monitoring task progress, supporting audits, reporting safety concerns, and helping to maintain high standards of professionalism, infection prevention, and patient care.

Providing hands‑on operational support when required, including undertaking porter duties during busy periods to help maintain patient flow and service responsiveness.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will make a direct impact on patient experience and the smooth running of the Portering service

What Experience/skills Are Needed

We are looking for someone who is organised, proactive, and confident working in a busy operational environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Experience working within a Portering team, or operational support team, ideally in a healthcare or similar environment.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships, support colleagues, and contribute to a respectful, collaborative team culture.

Good organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, respond to changing demands, and maintain professionalism under pressure.

The ability to lead by example, supporting staff performance, encouraging high standards, and promoting a culture of safety, compassion, and inclusion."

Additional Information

This role supports a 7‑day service, so the postholder will be required to work across a rota that includes weekdays and weekends.

Training will be provided, and opportunities will be available to develop leadership skills and advance within the Portering management structure.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Educated to foundation degree level in Facilities Management, Business Administration, or a related subject or equivalent experience.
• Experience working within a Operational or Portering Team in a healthcare or similar operational environment.
• Ability to lead by example and foster a workplace culture focused on safety, quality, compassion, and inclusion
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence others and support team performance.
• Ability to manage routine tasks while prioritising issues and maintaining a professional approach
• Capable of working independently, using initiative and sound judgement with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Health and Safety qualification (e.g., IOSH, NEBOSH) or willingness to work towards one.
• Understanding of relevant regulations, statutory requirements, and Operating Procedures and healthcare standards.
• Experience in a supervisory or management role within a healthcare Facilities or Portering Team.