A knowledgeable and often quick-thinking staff is required to make a hospital run smoothly. A hospital porter is frequently a member of this team, and he or she is in charge of various tasks as needed. Transferring equipment from one part of the hospital to another, transporting patients, filing paperwork, and even cleaning various parts of the hospital are all common tasks. You should first develop an interest in medicine and medical settings before becoming a hospital porter. You’ll be working in a stressful environment once you get this job, so be prepared for the emotional strain.
To work as a hospital porter, you don’t need a specific level of education, but you should have basic math skills and good communication skills. You’ll be interacting with both patients and medical professionals, so maintaining a calm and pleasant demeanor is beneficial. Candidates applying to be a hospital porter may be required to be at least 18 years old, though this age limit varies by hospital. It is best to carefully read job postings to ensure that you meet this and other requirements. A basic understanding of medical terminology will improve your chances of getting hired, though it is not always required.
Once you’ve been hired as a hospital porter, you can expect to go through a period of on-the-job training. You will learn the fundamental skills needed to succeed in this position during this time, and you will most likely work under the direction and supervision of a more experienced porter or supervisor. This training period is usually brief, lasting only a few weeks or months. You will be able to work independently as a hospital porter once you have received proper training, and you may or may not be assigned to a specific area of the hospital or to specific tasks within the hospital.
Although a hospital porter position is considered an entry-level position, you may have the opportunity to advance to a supervisory position that pays more and gives you more responsibilities. To advance, you may need additional training, and if you want to move into other positions at the hospital, you will almost certainly need to go to school and earn a post-secondary certificate or degree. Becoming a porter is a good way to see if working in a hospital is the right fit for you.