Hospital porters are responsible for the surveillance and transfer of people and/or instrumentarium within a health centre or institution. They form part of the team of non-health professionals and perform a fundamental task to ensure the smooth running of the centre where they work.

Specifically, they ensure the maintenance of general order, providing support in auxiliary tasks such as the transfer of medical material (samples, medical records, specific equipment), mobilisation of patients (with stretchers, wheelchairs or lifting devices), control of the exit and entry of people receiving treatment or family members accompanying them and, in general, any type of support necessary to ensure the correct provision of health services. Thus, they are in constant contact with users and their families, but also in regular coordination with the team of healthcare professionals at the centre (doctors, nurses and auxiliary nursing technicians).

This professional figure is usually necessary in all health centres: hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices and public and private health centres, and their participation in daily tasks is essential.

• Carry out guard and surveillance services to control the entry and exit of people in the health facilities and wards.
• Ensure that patients and accompanying persons make proper use of the facilities and rooms provided.
• Ensure general order and silence in the healthcare facilities.
• Inform the relevant department of possible faults and damage to areas of the hospital grounds, both in the exterior and interior facilities.

• If necessary, mobilise persons being cared for in the centre using different methods, which may include cranes, wheelchairs, or stretchers.
• Transfer various types of medical equipment as instructed by senior staff.

• Support the tasks of the nursing assistants in caring for people and their basic needs (hygiene, feeding, etc.).
• Carry out other auxiliary tasks considered necessary for the smooth running of the centre autonomously or in coordination with the different health professionals.
  

Regulated training and graduates

No formal education or training is required for this occupation, but a level equivalent to Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO) is recommended.

• Certificate of Professionalism of the Healthcare Family: Transfer and mobilisation of users and/or patients, documentation and materials in healthcare centres (Level 1).
  

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Empathy: Level 3

Customer orientation: Level 2

Planning and organisation: Level 1

Concern for order and quality: Level 2

Team work and cooperation: Level 2

Logistics

The planning, organisation, control and carrying out of logistics and administrative tasks are the focus of people who work in the field of logistics. Activities in the field of logistics include the organisation and planning of supply, storage, production and distribution systems, taking inventories, controlling stock and estimating production, as well as the organisation and/or carrying out of the administrative tasks necessary for the implementation of these activities. Knowledge of organisation, control and management techniques is essential for carrying out these activities.

Social community worker

Individuals related to the social/community field have an interest in working to improve people's social well-being and quality of life, as well as enhance their integration into their social, family and/or work environment. The professional activities that are common in this field include providing special support and aid to people at risk of social exclusion, designing programmes and implementing resources for the social and cultural stimulation of an area, and acting as mediators for conflict resolution in family, social or interpersonal environments. These activities involve constant interaction with people in order to improve their psychological and social well-being.

Conference assistant

Bookbinder

Leisure instructor

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Bricklayer

• Work hours

  Depending on the company or organisation where this professional works, working hours range from 37 to 40 hours per week. It is normally carried out in continuous schedules and through morning, afternoon or night shifts.
  
  Due to the characteristics of most health centres, there is availability and flexibility to work on weekends and public holidays.
  
  

• Salary

  The approximate salary ranges from 15,000 to 21,000 euros gross per year, depending on whether these professionals work in the private or public sector (where they usually earn more) and their level of responsibility.
  
  This salary may be increased depending on their seniority or job-specific allowances, e.g., if they perform direct care, work in the autopsy area, take care of the laundry, etc.
  

• Other features

  Hospital porters can work in both private and public institutions. In the case of the latter, they must be aware of the positions available and pass a competitive selection process, which consists of a series of cross-cutting tests on the health system and specific tests on this professional figure. If the person passes this phase, the merits presented (experience and training provided) will be considered and, depending on the total score obtained and their classification, they will be eligible for one of the positions.
  
  The positions are published in the Official Journal of the Government of Catalonia (DOGC) by the Department of Health and the requirements to work as a hospital porter in public institutions are:
  • To have Spanish nationality or belong to a member state of the European Union.
  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Hold a Secondary Education Graduate, School Graduate, FP1 or equivalent.
  • Not suffer from any illness or physical defect that prevents them from carrying out their duties.
  • A Level of Catalan.
    

• Professional category

  Specialist staff