Environmental Porter

Role overview

This position sits within the Facilities team at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and focuses on managing waste removal across the site. The role supports safer sorting, reuse, recycling, and better environmental practice, while helping maintain a clean and positive setting for patients, visitors, and staff.

You will work within a committed porter team, collecting a wide range of waste from wards and departments and supporting the smooth running of daily operations. Strong communication skills are important because the job involves regular interaction with teams across the Trust. Holding a C1 driving entitlement is helpful, as part of the work includes driving a 7.5-ton vehicle around the site.

The post is varied and hands-on, suited to someone who can use their own initiative, work well with others, and contribute to a fast-moving service. If you are enthusiastic about environmental sustainability, enjoy indoor and outdoor work, and want to be part of a developing team, this role may suit you.

Main duties

The main purpose of the job is to work with the waste porter team to collect clinical, non-clinical, hazardous, non-hazardous, furniture, and used laundry items from wards and departments so they can be taken on by the relevant waste and laundry contractors.

Physical demands

• Move linen, waste, and other items both inside hospital buildings and across the hospital grounds.
• Maintain safe working practices while moving items in all areas.
• Carry out prolonged pushing and pulling of very heavy loads.
• Spend extended periods walking at a brisk pace.
• Be able to handle trolleys and cages over long distances and remain physically fit for the role.

Mental and working conditions

• Work in busy, high-pressure situations that call for patience, tact, judgement, and ongoing reassessment.
• Be part of a skilled and effective team delivering a professional service.
• Wear the correct uniform and personal protective equipment.
• Work independently when needed and coordinate with other porters and clinical staff to organise work efficiently.
• Work outdoors at times, including in different weather conditions.
• Act courteously toward staff, visitors, and patients at all times.
• Follow an allocated shift pattern that may include unsocial hours, weekends, and bank holidays.
• Adopt a flexible approach to working hours and duties.

Organisation context

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is part of the BSW Hospitals Group, a partnership with Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. Together, the group serves more than 1 million people with a workforce of over 17,600 colleagues and a budget of 1.6 billion. The group aims to improve care, support colleagues, address shared challenges such as sustainability and finances, and strengthen outcomes for patients and communities.

The organisation promotes a compassionate and inclusive culture where kindness is encouraged, difference is respected, and diversity is seen as a strength. Staff wellbeing is a priority, and the Trust highlights opportunities to grow your career and contribute to future healthcare developments.

Person specification

Technical skills: A C1 licence is essential. A clean driving licence and willingness to complete extra training and tests for C1 is desirable.

Experience: Essential experience includes working in a busy environment as part of a team under strict time limits. Experience in waste and recycling, or in the NHS, is desirable.

Behaviour and values: You should demonstrate behaviours aligned with Trust values, with a strong focus on working collaboratively and positively with others.

Additional information

This role may require work in line with unsocial hours, weekends, and bank holidays. A flexible approach is expected. Applicants should be prepared for duties that involve outdoor work and physically demanding tasks.

The post involves access to vulnerable people and is therefore subject to a DBS check in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act exceptions and related orders.

Applications may close early if a high number of applications are received, so early submission is recommended.

Due to current UK immigration and visa rules, applicants without the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right-to-work solution is available. Anyone needing sponsorship, including those whose current visa will require sponsorship later, should review the official government guidance before applying.

Contact for informal discussion

Operations Manager: Michal Salcak
Email: michal.salcak@nhs.net
Telephone: 01225 826308
Available Monday to Friday