Sterile Services Technician in Manchester

Sterile Services Technician (Job ref 302-26-8088120E)

Location: Site Sterile Services Decontamination Unit, Unit 10 Town, Lostock, Bolton, England.

Employment: 4 permanent vacancies, full-time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday‑Friday 3pm‑11pm.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake an intensive 6‑9 month supported training programme within the Sterile Services Decontamination unit and achieve an appropriate level of competency and understanding of decontamination sciences.
• Demonstrate appropriate knowledge, dexterity and accuracy in decontaminating high value and complex reusable medical devices (including dismantling, oiling, reassembling, cleanliness checking and functionality of equipment).
• Pack and sterilise medical devices before distribution in accordance with Quality Management systems, health and safety and relevant legislation.
• Participate in ongoing development training, including annual ‘Test Your Knowledge’ assessment to maintain technical knowledge and skills in line with reusable medical device and legislative changes.
• Carry out receipt, disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, packing and sterilisation of reusable medical devices and record all tasks using the Getinge IMS Track & Trace System.
• Identify defects during disassembly, problem‑solve and, where appropriate, escalated to the relevant manager.
• Follow procedures for instruments requiring repair, completion of relevant paperwork and completion of required repairs.
• Work autonomously to reassemble a broad range of reusable medical devices, perform function checks where required, lubricate, test power tools and certify and sign off successful quality assurance.
• Operate washer disinfectors/sterilisers and maintain production/test records for washer disinfectors/sterilisers and other equipment records necessary for processing.
• Compile processed equipment into delivery schedules and record issues to all wards and theatres.
• Maintain cleanliness of workstations, sinks, trolleys and other equipment.
• Report difficulties and infringements with machinery to the Team Leader; report accidents to the Team Leader or Operational Management.
• Assist and support new starters with training and implementation of procedures when required.
• Plan own workload to meet the demands of customers and key performance indicators, achieving high quality standards measured by non‑conformance reports.
• Operate complex decontamination equipment and carry out routine tests in accordance with the Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedule, Quality Standards and Guidance.
• Replenish raw materials to all areas and inform managers of any shortages and ensure stock rotation.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE standard or NVQ level 2.
• National Decontamination Certificate.
• Commitment to work towards NVQ Level 3 in health care.

Experience

• Working in a team and effectively communicating with others.
• Ability to follow instructions accurately, both verbally and written, and to refer to senior decontamination staff when necessary.
• Flexible and accepting of change at short notice with an open mind.
• Experience of carrying out task‑related problem solving and escalation where appropriate.
• Supporting new members of a team.
• Basic IT skills.
• Experience in an NHS or healthcare setting.
• Knowledge and experience in decontamination or infection prevention.
• Experience of working in process environments that conform to relevant and specific processes and procedures (e. g., food or pharmaceutical).

Skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team across the four sterile service process areas.
• Ability to work accurately under pressure with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to plan own workload to achieve departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to learn and ability to retain information.
• Ability to represent the department in a professional manner.
• Punctuality.
• Knowledge
• Knowledge of working to standard operating procedures, health and safety, quality management, and assurance systems.
• Basic understanding of the impacts and consequences that may arise from equipment or device failure.
• Understanding of the impacts of providing a high standard of service.
• Understanding of infection prevention and control.
• Additional
• This role involves exposure to blood and body fluids and high risk contaminated reusable medical devices.
• Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to the role, i. e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation.
• Contact for Recruitment Support
• Recruitment Team: 01942 773823
• #J-18808-Ljbffr