Decontamination Technician

Reprocessing of surgical instrumentation, Endoscopes, theatre logistics and reprocessing waste in pathology decontamination.

Inform senior staff if asked or expected to work unsupervised without the relevant training or level of competence.

Attend training courses and partake in any other training strategies (mandatory and non-mandatory) as required to maintain knowledge and skills as required, this may involve overnight stay away from home.

Participate in own 1:1 meetings and PDP development.

Assist with the supervision and teaching in decontamination practices to new and less experienced technicians.

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

Ensure routine tests are undertaken and recorded in accordance with the Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedules, Quality Standards and Guidance.

Undertake regular audits of decontamination and sterilisation processes and action any discrepancies to departmental guidelines.

To adhere to the recommendations for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and risk assessments appropriate to the clinical area.

Inspect equipment within the decontamination cycle to ensure processes are effective

Recognise devices by name and ensure theatre trays endoscopes are repacked correctly with correct instruments ancillary items, responsible for checking loan devices/trays and ensuring the correct items delivered prior to clinical use.

Attend and participate in departmental meetings

Support the development or refreshing standard operating procedures according to service change and modernisation

Will come into contact with remnants of blood, body tissue or offensive by-products as part of the cleaning cycles

The role is physically demanding and requires significant amounts of manual handling

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.

Knowledge & Skills

Desirable: - Knowledge and experience in the decontamination of reusable medical devices

Experience

Desirable: - Supervisory experience; - Involvement with change, quality assurance and innovation work; - Decontamination/warehouse experience

Qualifications

Essential: - Education to GCSE or equivalent, including Maths and English