Hiring Now | Porter (x3 Posts) | Khayelitsha District Hospital, Cape Town, Western Cape | Permanent Government Positions Available

The Chief Directorate: Metro Health Services, Western Cape Department of Health, is inviting applications for three permanent Porter positions at Khayelitsha District Hospital in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. These are government posts remunerated at R144 024 per annum, open to candidates with basic numeracy and literacy and appropriate experience in a health-related environment. The successful candidates will assist with the transport of patients and equipment, support ward operations, and perform a range of duties essential to the safe and efficient functioning of the hospital. If you are physically capable, willing to work shifts including nights and weekends, and ready to serve in a demanding healthcare environment, apply before the closing date.

Don’t miss this opportunity — vacancies are filling fast. Apply today.

Job Overview

Detail	Information
Job Title	Porter
Post Number	POST 18/274
Number of Posts	X3
Chief Directorate	Metro Health Services
Department	Western Cape Department of Health
Job Type	Permanent
Salary	R144 024 per annum
Location	Khayelitsha District Hospital, Khayelitsha / Eastern Sub-structure, Cape Town
Closing Date	12 June 2026 at 17:00
Application Status	Open – Accepting Applications Now

Please note: Applications for this post must be submitted online only via www.westerncape.gov.za/health-jobs (click “online applications”). No other application method will be accepted.

No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post.

Please note: This role requires willingness to work overtime, shifts including night shifts, weekends, and public holidays, as well as a willingness to handle corpses and to rotate between various components of the facility based on operational needs. Candidates who are not able to meet these requirements should not apply.

What Does a Porter Do?

The Porter at Khayelitsha District Hospital plays a vital and physically demanding role in the daily operations of the facility. Porters are responsible for the safe transport of patients — whether ambulatory, wheelchair-bound, or on trolleys or beds — between wards, departments, and service areas throughout the hospital. They assist with the movement of medical equipment, maintain the cleanliness and availability of wheelchairs, trolleys, and blood hampers, and support ward staff and supervisors across a range of operational and administrative duties.

In a busy district hospital environment, the Porter is an essential link between clinical areas — ensuring that patients reach their destinations safely, that equipment is where it needs to be, and that the physical operations of the facility run without unnecessary delay. This includes the sensitive responsibility of assisting with the removal of bodies from wards, which requires maturity, composure, and a respectful approach at all times.

This is a physically active, shift-based role that demands stamina, reliability, and a genuine commitment to patient care and hospital operations. The ideal candidate has experience in a health-related environment, works well under pressure, functions effectively as part of a team, and is prepared to rotate between different components of the facility as operational requirements demand. A sober, professional approach to all duties is a non-negotiable expectation.

Please note: Candidates must be prepared to handle corpses as part of the duties of this post. This is an inherent requirement of the role and is not optional. Candidates who are unwilling or unable to perform this duty should not apply.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Transport & Mobility Assistance

• Assist, accompany, and transport patients per wheelchair, trolley, or bed from one point to another within the hospital — including from wards to theatre, radiology, outpatient departments, and other clinical areas.
• Assist with ambulatory and walking patients, providing physical support and guidance to ensure safe movement through the hospital environment.
• Ensure all patient transport activities are conducted with care, dignity, and respect, prioritising patient safety and comfort at all times.
• Respond promptly to transport requests from ward staff and supervisors, minimising waiting times and supporting the smooth flow of patient movement through the facility.
• Report any patient incidents, falls, or concerns observed during transport activities to the relevant ward staff or supervisor immediately.

Equipment Handling & Management

• Assist with the shifting of medical equipment between wards, departments, and storage areas as directed by the supervisor or clinical staff.
• Collect, clean, and return wheelchairs and trolleys to their designated locations after use, ensuring all equipment is in a clean, functional, and ready condition at all times.
• Collect and clean blood hampers in accordance with the hospital’s infection control and hygiene standards.
• Report any damaged, faulty, or missing equipment to the relevant supervisor without delay to ensure prompt repair or replacement.
• Ensure all equipment under the Porter’s responsibility is correctly stored and accounted for at the end of each shift.

Removal of Bodies & Mortuary Support

• Assist with the removal of bodies from wards and perform all relevant duties associated with this function in a respectful, dignified, and procedurally correct manner.
• Carry out all mortuary-related porter duties in full compliance with the hospital’s protocols and standard operating procedures for the handling and transport of deceased persons.
• Maintain composure and professionalism at all times during the performance of these duties, recognising the sensitivity of the environment and the needs of grieving family members and clinical staff.

Ward & Supervisor Support

• Render support to the supervisor and ward staff across a range of operational tasks, responding promptly and cooperatively to all reasonable instructions.
• Contribute to the efficient day-to-day operation of the ward and hospital environment, assisting clinical and support staff wherever practical assistance is required.
• Be prepared to rotate within the various components of the facility — including different wards, departments, and service areas — based on operational needs and staffing requirements.
• Support a positive, team-oriented ward environment by cooperating with colleagues, sharing responsibilities, and maintaining a helpful and respectful attitude throughout each shift.

Administrative Duties

• Perform administrative duties related to the Porter function as directed by the supervisor, including maintaining records of patient transport, equipment movements, and other relevant activities.
• Ensure all required registers, logs, and documentation associated with porter activities are completed accurately and timeously.
• Support the supervisor with any reporting or record-keeping requirements specific to the operational needs of the facility.

Minimum Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• Basic numeracy and literacy — minimum requirement.
• No formal academic qualification beyond basic literacy and numeracy is specified for this post.
• Any additional qualification in health care support, patient care, or a related field will be advantageous.

Experience

• Appropriate experience in a health-related environment — required.
• Prior experience as a Porter, Health Care Support Worker, or in a similar hospital support role will be given preference.
• Experience in patient transport, ward support, or mortuary-related duties is beneficial.

Inherent Requirements of the Job

• Willingness to work overtime, shifts including night shifts, weekends, and public holidays — this is a non-negotiable inherent requirement of the post.
• Must be prepared to handle corpses — this is an inherent requirement of the role and is not optional.
• Must be of sober habits — candidates who do not meet this requirement should not apply.
• Willingness and ability to rotate within the various components of the facility based on operational needs.

Skills & Competencies

• Good interpersonal and communication skills — able to interact respectfully and professionally with patients, family members, clinical staff, and colleagues.
• Ability to work under pressure — maintains performance and professionalism in a busy, demanding hospital environment.
• Willingness to work in a team — supports colleagues and contributes cooperatively to the smooth functioning of the ward and hospital operations.
• Ability to perform physical tasks — including lifting patients from and onto beds, trolleys, and wheelchairs safely and without causing harm to the patient or themselves.

Personal Attributes

• Physically fit and strong — the role involves sustained physical activity including lifting, pushing, and moving patients and equipment throughout the shift.
• Reliable and punctual — shift-based hospital operations depend on staff who arrive on time and fulfil their shift commitments without fail.
• Compassionate and respectful — works with patients who are often vulnerable, in pain, or distressed, and handles all interactions with sensitivity and dignity.
• Composed and resilient — able to manage the emotional and physical demands of a healthcare porter role, including exposure to illness, injury, and death.
• Sober habits — non-negotiable; candidates must be free from substance dependency that could affect their performance or the safety of patients.

Core Values

Patient Dignity & Safety

Every patient transported by a Porter is a person in a vulnerable moment — in pain, anxious, or unwell. The Porter at Khayelitsha District Hospital is expected to handle every patient interaction with care, gentleness, and genuine respect for the patient’s dignity. Safe transport, attentive communication, and a compassionate demeanour are the foundation of excellent porter care.

Physical Commitment & Reliability

Hospital operations run on shift schedules that cannot accommodate unreliable staff. The Porter role is physically demanding and operationally critical — when a patient needs to be moved, the Porter must be present, capable, and ready. Commitment to shift obligations, physical fitness, and consistent attendance are the cornerstones of effective performance in this role.

Composure in Difficult Circumstances

The Porter at a district hospital is regularly exposed to challenging situations — patients in acute distress, medical emergencies, and the handling of deceased persons. The ability to remain calm, professional, and composed under these conditions is not just admirable; it is essential for the safety and wellbeing of patients, families, and the broader hospital team.

Teamwork & Cooperation

No hospital function operates in isolation. Porters work alongside nurses, doctors, support staff, and supervisors in a highly interdependent environment. A cooperative, flexible attitude — willingness to rotate, assist beyond the immediate task, and support colleagues when needed — is what makes the Khayelitsha District Hospital team function effectively as a whole.

Service to the Community

Khayelitsha District Hospital serves one of Cape Town’s largest and most underserved communities. Every member of the hospital’s support staff — including Porters — contributes directly to the health and wellbeing of that community. Taking pride in this contribution, and approaching the role with the dedication it deserves, is what defines a true public servant in the healthcare environment.

Career Growth Opportunities

A permanent government position at Khayelitsha District Hospital provides a stable foundation for a career in the Western Cape health system:

• Porter → Senior Porter / Lead Porter
• Senior Porter → Health Care Support Worker / Ward Orderly
• Health Care Support Worker → Enrolled Nursing Assistant (with further training)
• Enrolled Nursing Assistant → Enrolled Nurse / Professional Nurse (with further training)

Your career path is in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the willingness to handle corpses truly a requirement, and can I request to be excused from this duty? Yes. The post explicitly lists the willingness to handle corpses as an inherent requirement of the Porter role at Khayelitsha District Hospital. This means it is a core component of the job and cannot be waived or excluded for any individual candidate. Candidates who are unwilling or unable to perform this duty are advised not to apply for this post.

What shifts will I be required to work? This post requires willingness to work overtime, shifts including night shifts, weekends, and public holidays. Hospital porter services operate around the clock, and the successful candidates must be fully available to work any shift as rostered. This is a non-negotiable inherent requirement of the post.

What does “appropriate experience in a health-related environment” mean? This means any prior work experience gained within a hospital, clinic, health centre, frail care facility, or similar healthcare setting. This could include previous porter, orderly, health care support, cleaning, or general support roles within a health environment. The requirement is for relevant contextual experience — not formal clinical qualifications.

What is the salary for this Porter post? The three posts are remunerated at R144 024 per annum in terms of the applicable government salary scale. This is a structured government salary and is not negotiable. Government employee benefits will apply in accordance with relevant Public Service Regulations.

How do I apply for this post? Applications must be submitted online only via www.westerncape.gov.za/health-jobs by clicking on “online applications”. No other application method — including email, post, or hand delivery — will be accepted. No payment of any kind is required at any stage of the application process.

Who do I contact for enquiries about this vacancy? Direct all enquiries to Mrs A Gonya on Tel: (021) 360 4412.

How to Apply

Ready to apply for one of three permanent Porter positions at Khayelitsha District Hospital? Applications must be submitted online before the closing date. Quote post number POST 18/274 in all correspondence.

👉 Apply Online via the Western Cape Health Jobs Portal (Click “online applications” on the website)

📞 Mrs A Gonya – Tel: (021) 360 4412

Applications must be submitted online only via www.westerncape.gov.za/health-jobs. No other application method will be accepted.

No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post. If you are asked to pay any fee during the application process, report it immediately.

The closing date for applications is 12 June 2026 at 17:00. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Apply early — this vacancy closes on 12 June 2026 at 17:00.

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