Decontamination Technician

Main area: Health care sciences

Grade: NHS AFC Band 2

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (14.00 to 22.00 Monday to Friday, enhancements for unsocial hours)

Employer: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Site: Derriford Hospital

Town: Plymouth

Salary: £24,169 Per Annum

Closing: 02/07/2025 23:59

Job overview:

Applications are invited for a decontamination technician to work as a member of a busy team in all aspects of reprocessing surgical equipment, medical devices, instruments sets and endoscopes, including disinfection, sterilisation and delivery.

Main duties of the job:

• To undertake Decontamination Science duties and assist the Decontamination Technician Section Lead, in providing a specialised decontamination of medical devices service contributing to the clinical care of the patient.
• Responsible for the receipt, disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, packing and distribution of Sterile Goods and Surgical Instruments, in one of the main sections of the Decontamination and Sterilisation unit.
• Working with soiled items returned from Theatres for Decontamination and Sterilisation or under Clean Room conditions working to Quality First instructions.
• To be flexible in working in different sections of the Decontamination and Sterilisation unit.
• To work in accordance with the Department's Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Management Systems.

This is a crucial area of the hospitals work, supporting the Operating Theatres, Wards, and local health centres in caring for the patient.

Working for our organisation:

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment.

We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

COMMUNICATION

• To communicate, both verbally and electronically with other members of Staff and Management to ensure the continual and efficient running of the service and to the required high standards.
• To assist in receiving Customer requests and progressing high priority items.
• Ability to train other staff in aspects of decontamination.
• Communicates with Theatres and other Departments when necessary to inform them of the status of their requirements.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• To gain and use their knowledge of Surgical Instruments in Producing a Quality First service to Theatres, Wards, Clinics and G.P.s.
• To Support and enhance the continual quality initiative ensuring 'Quality First' approach to all aspects of work and to act as a Quality Auditor when required.
• Understanding of the procedure for Loan items.
• Acceptance to work towards the NVQ Level 3 qualification in Infection Control & Decontamination.
• To have the knowledge of the complete Decontamination Process.
• To have a knowledge of the Endoscope reprocessing process.
• Working towards or already have a Diploma in Decontamination.

Qualifications:

• Educated to GCSE Standard in English and Maths and a science subject grade 4 -9 (A-D) or equivalent demonstrable experience in decontamination.
• Able to work towards apprenticeship NVQs at level 2 and 3.
• Must have excellent administrative and numerate skills.
• NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Decontamination support service.
• IDSc Technical certificate in Decontamination or relevant demonstrable experience in Decontamination.
• Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate clarity and understanding.
• Demonstrable experience in a demand and supply, customer-based environment.

Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests.

Informal visits to the Sterilisation Disinfection Unit (SDU) can be arranged. If you are interested, please contact the SDU reception via 01752 437900 for an appointment. We are a 24 hour a day service.