Distribution Team Member

The primary purpose of this role is to facilitate the efficient collection and delivery of essential items across the hospital site. This includes, but is not limited to, postal correspondence, patient records, clinical waste, linen, pharmaceutical supplies, laboratory specimens, and other materials as required to support hospital operations. The position involves working across both day and late shifts, with an expectation of weekend availability as part of the rota.

The post holder will be required to work closely with clinical and Ward teams, Facility Management services and Estates and teams.

Main duties of the job

Timely delivery of patient-related items including blood products, linen, medical records, and pharmacy supplies is essential to ensure uninterrupted patient care. Any delay in transporting these critical resources may lead to postponed treatment and impact clinical outcomes.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities Communication and Key Working Relationships

• Daily contact with Patients and Visitors, by the way of delivery/collection to/from wards and departments and throughout the Hospital site.
• Communicates with all levels of Trust staff face to face, electronically, by telephone and bleep.
• Develops and maintains a strong working relationship with Department Managers and Nursing Teams.
• Escalates operational concerns to Distribution Team Leader, Facilities Manager or Duty Manager.
• To be part of the working Distribution team.
• Occasional contact with other Emergency groups, Fire, Police, Ambulance and Helicopter Teams.

Planning and Organisation

• To take responsibility for own work
• To organise own work in conjunction with other staff groups to ensure patient care is prioritised.
• Present oneself for work appropriately dressed in issued uniform, displaying identity badge.

Analytics

None

Responsibility for Patient / Client Care, Treatment & Therapy

• Timely delivery of patient-related items including blood products, linen, medical records, and pharmacy supplies is essential to ensure uninterrupted patient care. Any delay in transporting these critical resources may lead to postponed treatment and impact clinical outcomes.
• Ensure correct medical supplies (Pharmacy products) are delivered within time frames required.

Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility

• To comply with all standard operating procedures (SOP's).
• To contribute towards the ongoing review and updating of operating procedures for all accountable services;
• Work in a safe manner, observing all Infection Prevention Control measures, health & Safety, COSHH, manual handling;

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources

• Post holder is responsible for ensuring work undertaken is cost effective and all resources are used in the best way possible;
• To identify any opportunity that helps reduce waste and improve operating costs;

Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management

• Responsible for coaching new and less experienced Distribution members, such their knowledge, competency and performance is enhanced;
• Responsible for own work prioritisation, output and quality;
• Demonstrates activities and work routines to others in own work area.
• Responsible for maintaining agreed quality standards of own work;

Information Resources & Administrative Duties

• Responsible for reviewing and processing different mediums of information written and electronic information;
• Responsible for effectively managing paper based and electronic systems within area of responsibility;

Person Specification Qualifications

• Functional Skills in Maths & English, Level 2.
• Driving Licence essential.
• Please see the attached JD

Experience

• Please see the attached JD

Additional Criteria

• Please see the attached JD.

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.