Decontamination Technician (A.T.O)

• Cleaning and decontaminating medical equipment and surgical instruments
• Inspecting instruments with a high level of attention to detail
• Working in a fast-paced clinical environment
• Following strict infection prevention and safety procedures
• Standing for long periods, bending and lifting throughout shifts
• Working flexibly across a variety of shift patterns
• Initially there will be 3 weeks of induction training during day time shifts, you will then complete all other training on the allocated shift patterns

• Maintain and develop professional working relationships with colleagues, theatres, wards, departments, and external customers.
• Behave professionally and courteously at all times.
• Participate in a rotational working system across all areas of the department.
• Receive, disassemble, clean, inspect, disinfect, assemble, sterilise, pack, and distribute reusable medical devices and flexible endoscopes.
• Carry out functionality testing on reusable medical devices and equipment.
• Operate departmental equipment safely and effectively in accordance with departmental procedures and manufacturer instructions.
• Record all stages of the decontamination and sterilisation process using electronic traceability systems and manual documentation where required.
• Assess and approve work completed by colleagues where appropriate.
• Identify, diagnose, and report failures or abnormalities in equipment test results in accordance with ISO 13485, HTMs, Medical Devices Directive (MDD 93/42/EEC), and Health & Safety requirements.
• Escalate equipment failures, process deviations, and emergencies to Team Leaders, Production Coordinators, or Managers.
• Participate in departmental and Trust-wide audits and support implementation of service improvements.
• Assist with Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) activities.
• Maintain compliance with departmental Quality Management Systems and Health & Safety policies.
• Report customer complaints, incidents, and non-conformances to the appropriate manager.
• Mentor, train, and support new or less experienced staff members.
• Attend mandatory and role-specific training as required.
• Participate in appraisal, performance reviews, and continuous professional development.
• Contribute to the Trusts vision, values, and operational objectives.

• Process stock orders and deliveries using correct documentation and inventory systems.
• Maintain stock rotation and ensure removal of external packaging where required.
• Monitor and maintain agreed stock levels and raise replenishment requests/orders.
• Participate in stock takes and inventory audits.
• Ensure compliance with storage requirements relating to temperature, humidity, COSHH, and manual handling regulations.
• Safely manoeuvre trolleys and undertake manual handling of instrument sets and supplies.

• Perform daily testing and maintenance checks on Washer Disinfectors, Ultrasonic Cleaners, Trolley Washers, Automatic Endoscope Reprocessors (AERs), and associated equipment.
• Record and review test results to demonstrate compliance and support audit requirements.
• Follow washroom protocols, standard operating procedures, infection prevention, and Health & Safety requirements at all times.
• Log incoming instruments, sets, and endoscopes into the traceability system and prioritise workloads appropriately.
• Verify equipment completeness and report discrepancies immediately.
• Complete non-conformance documentation where required.
• Process specialist loan instrumentation in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Recognise and appropriately dispose of single-use devices.
• Respond to customer queries and prioritise urgent/Fast Track requests.
• Handle contaminated devices safely using appropriate PPE and universal precautions, including compliance with Cytotoxic, NICE, and CJD policies.
• Safely dispose of clinical waste, sharps, linen, and fluids in accordance with policy.

• Conduct environmental monitoring and record air handling unit checks.
• Perform testing and recording of heat sealers and diathermy testers.
• Inspect instruments and devices for cleanliness, functionality, and damage prior to packing.
• Assemble and pack surgical trays and instruments to agreed specifications ensuring sterility maintenance.
• Apply tamper-evident seals, sterilisation indicators, and approved wrapping systems.
• Sign tray lists and traceability documentation, accepting accountability for work completed.
• Perform visual checks on wash cycle parameters and reprocess failed loads as required.
• Comply with gowning procedures and clean room standards.
• Prioritise workloads to minimise disruption to patient care and theatre schedules.
• Process and dispatch endoscopes in line with departmental traceability and accountability procedures.

• Test sterilisers in accordance with departmental quality control procedures.
• Record and analyse steriliser test results to demonstrate compliance.
• Operate sterilisers safely and effectively using correct PPE and safe systems of work.
• Inspect sterilised loads to confirm integrity and sterility indicators have achieved required parameters.
• Raise non-conformance reports (NCRs) where necessary.
• Categorise and prepare instruments and sets for dispatch.
• Produce decontamination certificates for loan sets and repaired instruments.
• Process urgent/Fast Track items to meet clinical demand.
• Use low-temperature sterilisation systems, including Sterrad gas plasma sterilisation equipment, where trained and competent.

• Decontaminate flexible endoscopes in accordance with manufacturer instructions, HTMs, JAG guidance, and departmental standard operating procedures.
• Undertake all stages of the endoscope decontamination cycle including: - Visual inspection
• Manual cleaning
• Leak testing
• High-level disinfection
• Drying
• Storage
• Tracking and tracing
• Transportation and dispatch
• Safely operate Endoscope Washer Disinfectors (EWDs), drying cabinets, and associated equipment.
• Carry out routine testing and quality assurance checks on endoscopes and decontamination equipment.
• Maintain accurate electronic and paper tracking documentation.
• Identify and report equipment faults, process failures, and non-conformities promptly.
• Work safely with chemicals and disinfectants in accordance with COSHH regulations and departmental PPE requirements.
• Support safe storage and transportation of endoscopes in compliance with infection prevention standards.

• Ensure all duties are carried out in line with: - ISO 13485
• Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs)
• Trust policies and procedures
• Infection Prevention & Control standards
• Health & Safety legislation
• COSHH regulations
• Medical Devices legislation
• Maintain accurate records to support audits, traceability, and quality assurance activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and compliance monitoring.
• Maintain and develop professional working relationships with colleagues, theatres, wards, departments, and external customers.
• Behave professionally and courteously at all times.
• Participate in a rotational working system across all areas of the department.
• Receive, disassemble, clean, inspect, disinfect, assemble, sterilise, pack, and distribute reusable medical devices and flexible endoscopes.
• Carry out functionality testing on reusable medical devices and equipment.
• Operate departmental equipment safely and effectively in accordance with departmental procedures and manufacturer instructions.
• Record all stages of the decontamination and sterilisation process using electronic traceability systems and manual documentation where required.
• Assess and approve work completed by colleagues where appropriate.
• Identify, diagnose, and report failures or abnormalities in equipment test results in accordance with ISO 13485, HTMs, Medical Devices Directive (MDD 93/42/EEC), and Health & Safety requirements.
• Escalate equipment failures, process deviations, and emergencies to Team Leaders, Production Coordinators, or Managers.
• Participate in departmental and Trust-wide audits and support implementation of service improvements.
• Assist with Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) activities.
• Maintain compliance with departmental Quality Management Systems and Health & Safety policies.
• Report customer complaints, incidents, and non-conformances to the appropriate manager.
• Mentor, train, and support new or less experienced staff members.
• Attend mandatory and role-specific training as required.
• Participate in appraisal, performance reviews, and continuous professional development.
• Contribute to the Trusts vision, values, and operational objectives.

Essential

• Able to read and write & understand written and verbal instructions in English Language
• Ability and willingness to undertake full training for the role of Decontamination Technician
• Able to demonstrate a degree of common sense

Essential

• Ability to work under pressure at a fast pace in a physically demanding environment, requiring manual handling
• Ability to work with hazardous substances
• Dependable & motivated- able to undertake work methodically with attention to detail and in a timely manner
• Possess good communication skills (both verbal and written) with a confident and approachable manner when dealing with colleagues & various service users

Essential

• Team player with a professional outlook
• Flexible approach to role
• Health and physical abilities sufficient for the post (if necessary, with reasonable adjustments with respect to the Equality Act/Disability Discrimination Act)
• Able to move and handle trays of surgical equipment up to 9 kg with reasonable adjustments
• High level of personal hygiene