Porter (Banks)

ddub11

Hi Guys,

Just got a bit of part time work(if and when needed)in a hospital as a porter(Banks).

So heres my question,What doe,s it mean when they say Porter( Banks)?
Its a hospital but the word Banks porter keep getting mentioned.

From what i can gather Banks means i can be called upon if and when it suits the hospital.
If thats the case does that mean if they say they have a shift for me and for some reason i cant make it can i refuse it without getting hassle from them?Is it normal practice to accept or refuse shifts if and when it suits me.

Seems a bit unfair they would expect me to accept the different various shifts everyweek when they cant guarantee me 39 hr week.

Im just trying to get me head around the way things work when it s Banks Porter work.
Of course i want the work but think ill be used to just fill in roster gaps which for them is fine but i feel should be able to accept or refuse shifts without them getting upset because i might say im unavailable for a particular shift.

TrixIrl

Yes Bank means you are floating staff rather than assigned to any particular area.

It does mean unfortunately that you will be used to full shifts they are short for, sick and annual leave etc.

Although there is no expectations that you have to be available at very short notice (i.e. and hour etc), repeated refusals of shifts will make you less helpful to the bank coordinator and therefore less likely to be called first the next time. It's the same as agency nursing/medical/auxiliary staff.

Having said that it's great experience and a good way to get ahead when a full-time position comes up. In some larger hospitals there is almost always someone on some sorta leave so constantly shifts available.