Job summary
A exciting opportunity has presented itself for a Decontamination Technical Officer to join our team at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for a dedicated and adaptable individual to support our busy decontamination unit.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to work as a team member of the Sterile Services Department carrying out duties related to decontaminating surgical instruments .
We have 1x 37.5 hours per week available , working 2 shift patterns between the hours of 07:00-21:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 -16:00 Saturday, 08:00-12:00 Sunday (approximately 1 in 4 weekends).
During the training period there will be a dedicated training mentor assigned to the successful applicant. When fully competent in all aspects of duties and responsibilities, the post holder will be required to have a flexible approach.
Duties of this role will include operating decontamination equipment, pushing and pulling trolleys, stock control, lifting heavy theatre trays and reprocessing re-usable medical devices. The post will involve handling of bodily fluids and requires the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE).
You will need excellent communication and interpersonal skills, good attention to detail, excellent customer services attributes, good numeracy and literacy skills and good retentive memory.
About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond.
The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.
We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.
The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its 'Be Safe Be EquiPPEd' campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE.
The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and wellbeing initiatives.
At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Processing of Surgical Instrumentation Sets and Supplementary Packs to specification using Standard Operating Procedures, which meet the Quality Standard ISO 13485:2016.
To receive, record and check all instrumentation and equipment used within the Trust, Community, and outside contracts, scanning all items into the department, identify any missing/damaged equipment and report immediately to a Team Leader or Supervisor.
To dismantle instrumentation and equipment, transferring into washer baskets, scan and load into washer disinfectors.
Inspect and function test all instrumentation, and re-assemble onto trays to checklist specification, scan, document, and pack ready for transferring to autoclaves for sterilising.
To operate all major equipment within the department, washer disinfectors, transfer hatch, and sterilisers, using QSPs (Quality System Procedures) to ensure correct Disinfection and Sterilisation according to HTM 01-01.
To sterilise, check for integrity of packaging, and inspect all items removed from the autoclaves, and authorise all equipment for release as fit for purpose, and to despatch using the Tracking and Traceability System.
Loads or items that do not meet requirements must be failed and non-conformed to the relevant area.
To undertake porter duties, delivery of equipment being processed as instructed.
To be flexible within the department and to take on board any training necessary to work in any area as necessary, guided by our Quality Management System.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Processing of Surgical Instrumentation Sets and Supplementary Packs to specification using Standard Operating Procedures, which meet the Quality Standard ISO 13485:2016.
To receive, record and check all instrumentation and equipment used within the Trust, Community, and outside contracts, scanning all items into the department, identify any missing/damaged equipment and report immediately to a Team Leader or Supervisor.
To dismantle instrumentation and equipment, transferring into washer baskets, scan and load into washer disinfectors.
Inspect and function test all instrumentation, and re-assemble onto trays to checklist specification, scan, document, and pack ready for transferring to autoclaves for sterilising.
To operate all major equipment within the department, washer disinfectors, transfer hatch, and sterilisers, using QSPs (Quality System Procedures) to ensure correct Disinfection and Sterilisation according to HTM 01-01.
To sterilise, check for integrity of packaging, and inspect all items removed from the autoclaves, and authorise all equipment for release as fit for purpose, and to despatch using the Tracking and Traceability System.
Loads or items that do not meet requirements must be failed and non-conformed to the relevant area.
To undertake porter duties, delivery of equipment being processed as instructed.
To be flexible within the department and to take on board any training necessary to work in any area as necessary, guided by our Quality Management System.
Person Specification
Values
Essential
- A commitment to quality and safety.
- A recognition of importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues.
- A listening, learning and leading approach.
- A commitment to work together to create the best outcome.
- Must demonstrate the Trust's values around both raising concerns at work, and how to treat others who raise concerns.
Behaviours
Essential
- Must be willing to act as a role model.
- Must be willing to take personal responsibilty.
- Must have the courage to speak up.
- Must value and appreciate the worth of others.
Physical Requirements
Essential
- Good attendance record.
- Occupational health cleared to perform the duties of the role.
- Ability to perform a wide range of the duties according to the Job Description.
- Able to work while standing for long periods of time.
Desirable
Skills
Essential
- Self-motivated, good communication skills and a good standard of written and spoken English
- Ability to retain information, and cope with frequent change. Dexterity.
- Keyboard / computer skills.
- Attention to detail.
- The ability to prioritise.
- Experience of working to timeframes.
Desirable
- To train in all processes of the department.
- Ongoing training with medical device and decontamination.
Qualifications / Knowledge / Experiance
Essential
- GCSE's Math's, English and Science Grade C or above.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable
- Knowledge of medical devices.
- Experience in using a tracking and traceability system.
- IDSc Technician certificate.
- Previous experience of working in a team or similar quality led production environment.
- Decontamination experience.
Person Specification
Values
Essential
- A commitment to quality and safety.
- A recognition of importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues.
- A listening, learning and leading approach.
- A commitment to work together to create the best outcome.
- Must demonstrate the Trust's values around both raising concerns at work, and how to treat others who raise concerns.
Behaviours
Essential
- Must be willing to act as a role model.
- Must be willing to take personal responsibilty.
- Must have the courage to speak up.
- Must value and appreciate the worth of others.
Physical Requirements
Essential
- Good attendance record.
- Occupational health cleared to perform the duties of the role.
- Ability to perform a wide range of the duties according to the Job Description.
- Able to work while standing for long periods of time.
Desirable
Skills
Essential
- Self-motivated, good communication skills and a good standard of written and spoken English
- Ability to retain information, and cope with frequent change. Dexterity.
- Keyboard / computer skills.
- Attention to detail.
- The ability to prioritise.
- Experience of working to timeframes.
Desirable
- To train in all processes of the department.
- Ongoing training with medical device and decontamination.
Qualifications / Knowledge / Experiance
Essential
- GCSE's Math's, English and Science Grade C or above.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable
- Knowledge of medical devices.
- Experience in using a tracking and traceability system.
- IDSc Technician certificate.
- Previous experience of working in a team or similar quality led production environment.
- Decontamination experience.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
