Sterile Services Technician in Luton

The Sterile Services Department at the Luton & Dunstable NHS Trust requires two Technicians to join our busy team. Working at 37.5 hours a week, there are 2 posts available:

• Post 1: working alternating shifts; days 08:00 to 16:00 and evenings 13:00 to 21:00 and every 4th weekend. (bank holidays by rota)
• Post 2: working 13:00 to 21:00 Monday to Friday with every 4th weekend. (bank holidays by rota)

The Department processes flexible endoscopes, surgical instruments and supplies sterile and disinfected equipment to the wards, departments and theatres within the hospital.

Main duties:

• Duties involve the decontamination and sterilising of surgical instruments including flexible endoscopes, operation of decontamination equipment and distribution of sterile items throughout the hospital.
• Experience is desirable but not essential as an in-house training programme is in place.
• Please note there is a strict uniform policy in place due to infection control.
• Post holder will be required to participate in the department's on-call rota.

About us:

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. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. 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. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values:

We recruit based on qualifications and experience and also on behaviours that underpin our core values. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities:

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. We have state-of-the-art facilities and the Trust remains committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job Summary:

The Sterile Services and Endoscope Decontamination Department supplies sterile and disinfected equipment to the Wards, Departments and Theatres in the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and to other users. The work involves the decontamination, preparation, packing, sterilization and distribution of items to the patient areas within the Hospital and collating orders for users outside the hospital.

Objectives and Purpose of the Post:

• To operate computerised tracking system throughout the departments.
• To check ward stock and deliver sterile packs to the wards and departments of the hospital.
• To process equipment through the departments decontamination area via washer-disinfector machines and endoscope reprocessors, including manual washing as required.
• To check surgical instruments and other items prior to packing.
• To collate orders of sterile packs for outside users.
• To collect used items from patient areas.
• To check stock in distribution areas.
• To operate washer/disinfectors, endoscope reprocessors, drying cabinets, heat sealing machines, sterilizers and other mechanical equipment.
• To keep work areas clean and tidy at all times participating in department cleaning schedule.
• To adhere to the department's policies and procedures, including quality management systems at all times.
• Any other reasonable duty as requested by the Manager or Supervisor.

N.B. This job may involve the manual handling of heavy loads, for which training will be given. If there is any reason why you should not do this, it is your responsibility to inform your Manager immediately.

Person Specification:

• General standard of education.
• Ability to read and write in English.
• Ability to understand written instructions/procedures.
• Knowledge of decontamination process or surgical instruments.
• Awareness of infection control.
• Knowledge of COSHH.

Experience:

• Previous relevant experience in a similar or related work environment would be beneficial.
• Experience of using large scale decontamination equipment.
• Previous work in a high volume environment.
• Basic IT Skills.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to stand for long periods.
• High level of manual dexterity.
• Ability to wear required protective equipment.
• Ability to undertake physically demanding work.

Other requirements:

• Willingness and aptitude to undertake training.
• 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.