Decontamination Assistant (Sterile services) in Bedford

As a Decontamination Assistant, you will work as part of a dedicated team to carry out the decontamination and sterilisation of reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, in accordance with ISO-accredited policies, procedures and departmental work instructions. You will play a key role in delivering all decontamination-related duties within the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscope Decontamination Unit at Bedford Hospital.

The post holder will be expected to follow departmental work instructions and adhere to ISO-accredited policies and procedures across all areas of Sterile Services and the Endoscope Decontamination Unit. The successful candidate will be committed to providing a safe and compliant decontamination service to all customers and stakeholders. You will be highly motivated, flexible with working hours and shift patterns (including weekends), and willing to undertake all required training for the role.

This is a full-time position, working Tuesday to Friday from 14:00 to 22:00, and Saturday from 12:00 to 20:00.

The Decontamination Service at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust comprises the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscopy Decontamination Unit. Both areas are responsible for supplying sterile and disinfected reusable medical devices to wards, departments and theatres across the Trust. This work includes:

• Receiving, sorting and preparing reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, for cleaning and disinfection.
• Inspecting, re-assembling, function-testing, packaging, sealing and labelling devices that have been successfully washed, disinfected and dried.
• Conducting independent checks of instrument trays prepared by others, ensuring all contents are correct and reporting any discrepancies.
• Maintaining an understanding of the basic types and categories of instruments and flexible scopes, recognising their functions and identifying key inspection and testing points.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. You will be joining a friendly, high-performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region, you will have access to a programme of high-quality training and development to help you grow your career.

Inspecting instruments and equipment on receipt into the decontamination area and at various stages of production, storage and distribution, and immediately reporting any damaged or missing items or components. Dismantling and assembling instrumentation in line with manufacturers recommendations following the cleaning and disinfection process. Ensuring all packaging, wrapping and labelling of instrument sets and supplementary items is completed in accordance with legislation, guidance and service requirements. Maintaining an understanding of the different sterilisation and disinfection methods used, and recognising the importance of product liability in relation to the reuse of medical devices. Carrying out quality checks to confirm that devices have been correctly decontaminated and are safe for patient use. Taking appropriate action if there is any doubt about the effectiveness of the decontamination process, and reporting or documenting any failures to the Decontamination Services Manager. Verifying process and cycle data before accepting and releasing products. Using the correct wrapping materials and packing methods to minimise damage. Following the correct procedures for managing nonconforming devices and sundries in the event of a failed washer, disinfector or steriliser cycle, ensuring such items are not used in any surgical procedure.

Qualifications: Excellent English – communication skills, written and verbal.

Experience: Previous experience in a Healthcare Environment.

Knowledge: Good Organisational Skills, Basic I.T Skills, Manual Dexterity, Attention to Details, Knowledge of Quality Management System – ISO 13485 / ISO9001.

Personal Skills: Good Timekeeper, Ability to stand for lengthy periods of time, Team focussed, Reliable, Adaptable and Dependable, Willing to undertake training as required, Proactive approach and participation in the Quality Management System, Ability to be Self directional.

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.