West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Theatre Porter

The closing date is 18 February 2026

Job summary

West Suffolk Hospital Main Theatres is seeking a full-time porter to cover fixed-term maternity leave. This is a full-time position which includes weekend shifts. The job involves assisting operating theatre staff in the day to day work necessary for the smooth running of the operating department/recovery; including the transportation of patients to and from the department, cleanliness and maintenance of department and equipment, delivery and collection of essential items within the hospital grounds and support of clinical staff in theatre when required.

Main duties of the job

Collecting and returning patients to wards and departments, transferring patients within the department.

Assisting in the movement and positioning of patients in theatre and Anaesthetic room, as required.

Taking specimens to Pathology department and maintenance of stock of specimen containers.

Collecting blood from the Pathology department.

Assisting with any lifting or manual handling within the department.

Ensuring supply of oxygen cylinders for transferring patient to Recovery.

Assisting staff in the Recovery unit.

Assist with the cleanliness and management of the disposal area.

Attending mandatory training and relevant updates as required.

Comply with Trust Policies, Health and Safety Codes of Practice and Procedures relating to the Hospital in general and especially those applicable to the Operating Department.

Any other relevant duties as may from time to time be delegated by the Clinical Managers.

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Details

Date posted

10 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

179-7701106-S

Job locations

West Suffolk Hospital

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for detailed person specification for further information about this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for detailed person specification for further information about this role.

Person Specification

Education & Qualification

Essential

  • oBasic education
  • oNumerate/literate
  • oGood communication skills both verbal and written

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

  • oNone required as full training will be given

Desirable

  • oExperience in similar job/health care setting

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • oFriendly and helpful
  • oCalm and reassuring
  • oWilling to work with staff and patients of all ages and from all walks of life
  • oHealth and safety aware
  • oAble to follow instructions carefully
  • oCommunication skills
  • oOrganisational skills

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • oGood team member
  • oFlexible, dependable and adaptable
  • oWillingness to learn
  • oGood interpersonal skills
  • oAble to participate in work patterns
Person Specification

Education & Qualification

Essential

  • oBasic education
  • oNumerate/literate
  • oGood communication skills both verbal and written

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

  • oNone required as full training will be given

Desirable

  • oExperience in similar job/health care setting

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • oFriendly and helpful
  • oCalm and reassuring
  • oWilling to work with staff and patients of all ages and from all walks of life
  • oHealth and safety aware
  • oAble to follow instructions carefully
  • oCommunication skills
  • oOrganisational skills

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • oGood team member
  • oFlexible, dependable and adaptable
  • oWillingness to learn
  • oGood interpersonal skills
  • oAble to participate in work patterns

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

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Team leader

Stephanie Higgins

Stephanie.Higgins@wsh.nhs.uk

012847133200

Details

Date posted

10 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

179-7701106-S

Job locations

West Suffolk Hospital

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)