Decontamination Assistant (Sterile services)

NHS; Bedford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Bedford seeks a dedicated Decontamination Assistant to ensure the decontamination and sterilisation of reusable medical devices. This full-time role requires working flexible hours, including weekends, within a team at Bedford Hospital. The successful candidate will need strong communication and organisational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to quality management. This position offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to patient care in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Desirable: Previous experience in a healthcare environment.
• Essential: Ability to stand for lengthy periods.
• Essential: Willing to undertake training as required.

Responsibilities

• Carry out decontamination and sterilisation of reusable medical devices.
• Inspect instruments and report any damaged items.
• Follow departmental work instructions and adhere to ISO policies.

Skills

Excellent English communication skills

Good organisational skills

Manual dexterity

Attention to detail

Good timekeeper

Team-focused

Education

Basic IT skills

Job description

Job summary

As a Decontamination Assistant, you will work as part of a dedicated team to carry out the decontamination and sterilisation of reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, in accordance with ISO-accredited policies, procedures and departmental work instructions.

You will play a key role in delivering all decontamination-related duties within the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscope Decontamination Unit at Bedford Hospital. The post holder will be expected to follow departmental work instructions and adhere to ISO-accredited policies and procedures across all areas of Sterile Services and the Endoscope Decontamination Unit.

The successful candidate will be committed to providing a safe and compliant decontamination service to all customers and stakeholders. You will be highly motivated, flexible with working hours and shift patterns (including weekends), and willing to undertake all required training for the role.

At Bedford Hospital, our priority is to deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients -- the standard of care we would want for our loved ones and ourselves. We strive to be the best place to work, with the right staff in the right roles to ensure exceptional patient care and experience.

This is a full-time position, working Tuesday to Friday from 14:00 to 22:00, and Saturday from 12:00 to 20:00.

Main duties of the job

The Decontamination Service at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust comprises the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscopy Decontamination Unit. Both areas are responsible for supplying sterile and disinfected reusable medical devices to wards, departments and theatres across the Trust. This work includes the collection, decontamination, preparation, packing, sterilisation or disinfection, and distribution of reusable medical devices.

Key duties include

• Receiving, sorting and preparing reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, for cleaning and disinfection.
• Inspecting, re-assembling, function-testing, packaging, sealing and labelling devices that have been successfully washed, disinfected and dried.
• Conducting independent checks of instrument trays prepared by others, ensuring all contents are correct and reporting any discrepancies.
• Maintaining an understanding of the basic types and categories of instruments and flexible scopes, recognising their functions and identifying key inspection and testing points.

Job responsibilities

• Inspecting instruments and equipment on receipt into the decontamination area and at various stages of production, storage and distribution, and immediately reporting any damaged or missing items or components.
• Dismantling and assembling instrumentation in line with manufacturers recommendations following the cleaning and disinfection process.
• Ensuring all packaging, wrapping and labelling of instrument sets and supplementary items is completed in accordance with legislation, guidance and service requirements.
• Maintaining an understanding of the different sterilisation and disinfection methods used, and recognising the importance of product liability in relation to the reuse of medical devices.
• Carrying out quality checks to confirm that devices have been correctly decontaminated and are safe for patient use.
• Taking appropriate action if there is any doubt about the effectiveness of the decontamination process, and reporting or documenting any failures to the Decontamination Services Manager.
• Verifying process and cycle data before accepting and releasing products.
• Using the correct wrapping materials and packing methods to minimise damage.
• Following the correct procedures for managing nonconforming devices and sundries in the event of a failed washer, disinfector or steriliser cycle, ensuring such items are not used in any surgical procedure.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Details

Date posted: 19 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 2

Salary: £24,465 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 418-COR5745-CW

Job locations: Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ

Person Specification

Qualifications: Essential – Excellent English – communication skills, written and verbal

Experience: Desirable – Previous experience in a Healthcare Environment

Knowledge: Essential – Good Organisational Skills, Basic IT Skills, Manual Dexterity, Attention to Details; Desirable – Knowledge of Quality Management System - ISO 13485 / ISO9001

Personal Skills: Essential – Good Timekeeper, changed as per policy and commence shift as indicated; Ability to stand for lengthy periods of time; Team focussed; Reliable, Adaptable and Dependable; Willing to undertake training as required; Proactive approach and participation in the Quality Management System; Ability to be Self directional

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

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.

Employer details

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ

Employer’s website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/