Decontamination Technician

NHS; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000

Job description

The post holder will mainly be responsible for the safe sterilisation then disposal of waste produced by the pathology laboratory at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The post holder will be required to work closely with the pathology laboratory staff to compliantly load the sterilisers, safely collect CAT 3 waste from the laboratory whilst being accompanied by laboratory staff, correctly run a steriliser cycle, sign off a successful cycle and escalate any cycle failures appropriately.

Some tasks required within this role are governed by regulations; therefore, the employee must work in accordance with such regulations and the department's Standard Operating procedures to ensure an effective and compliant service is delivered.

The role within pathology decontamination is restricted due to the run time of the sterilisers; whilst the sterilisers are in operation, the post holder will be expected to work in sterile services, Endoscopy decontamination, and theatre logistics.

Main duties of the job

Main duties will be within the pathology decontamination area, and all other areas will be secondary to this role.

1. To work in accordance with Departmental & National Policy, Standard Operating Procedures, and Quality Management Systems to provide a responsive service.
2. Able to demonstrate ability and apply knowledge and competence to all tasks required to supply and support the provision of pathology, decontamination of endoscopes and theatre instruments respectively; and consequently efficient store management protocols and timely delivery according to customer needs.
3. Report untoward incidents, non-conformities, and any other relevant information to a senior member of staff using the Trust Incident reporting system.
4. Take responsibility for logging and escalating failures of equipment to relevant stakeholders and management.
5. Responsible for keeping all work areas clean and tidy and maintain a safe, pleasant environment following departmental procedures.
6. Ensure that maintenance problems are reported to Estates promptly and liaise with clinical teams accordingly to inform of possible delays.

About us

QE Facilities (QEF) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHNT), based in the North East of England.

We provide a range of non-clinical services to GHNT and other NHS organisations. Our services include: estates, facilities services, procurement, medical engineering and devices, endoscopy decontamination and sterile services, transport, out-patient pharmacy, and prevention & management of violence & aggression training (PMVA).

In addition, we provide consultancy services, advising clients on all aspects of establishing a subsidiary company within an NHS body to the provision of VAT compliance advice.

QE Facilities work to their own Terms and Conditions, and these are not the same as Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Terms and Conditions. This is not an Agenda for Change Pay Rate.

We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Job responsibilities

1. Attend training courses and partake in any other training strategies (mandatory and non-mandatory) as required to maintain knowledge and skills; this may involve an overnight stay away from home.
2. Participate in own 1:1 meetings and PDP development.
3. Support departmental needs to ensure monitoring, maintenance & servicing requirements of endoscopes and theatre instruments are undertaken in a way that offers little service disruption and report accordingly to senior staff.
4. Ensure routine tests are undertaken and recorded in accordance with the Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedules, Quality Standards, and Guidance.
5. To adhere to the recommendations for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and risk assessments appropriate to the area.
6. Inspect equipment within the decontamination cycle to ensure processes are effective.
7. Recognise devices by name and ensure theatre trays and endoscopes are repacked correctly with correct instruments and ancillary items, responsible for checking loan devices/trays and ensuring the correct items delivered prior to clinical use.
8. Attend and participate in departmental meetings.
9. Support the development or refreshing of standard operating procedures according to service change and modernisation.
10. Post holder will come into contact with remnants of blood, body tissue, or offensive by-products.
11. Whilst working in pathology decontamination, you will be subject to foul smells.
12. The role is physically demanding and requires significant amounts of manual handling.
13. JOB DESCRIPTION WILL EVOLVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A DEVELOPING SERVICE.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Education to GCSE or equivalent, including Maths and English.
• NVQ3 (Technical Certificate Decontamination) or equivalent level of knowledge and experience through decontamination training.
• Willingness to attend training throughout the duration of being in post.

Skills

• Team Worker.
• Ability to stay calm and work under pressure.
• Professional manner at all times.
• Knowledge of infection control, health & safety, COSHH.
• Knowledge and experience in the decontamination of reusable medical devices.
• Ability to train staff in decontamination systems.

Experience

• Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously.
• A working knowledge of keyboard, typing, and computer skills.
• Ability to work to standard operating procedures.
• Supervisory Experience.
• Decontamination/Warehouse experience.
• Involvement with change, quality assurance, and innovation work.

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.