Decontamination Assistant (Sterile services)

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford, Luton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedford Hospital is seeking a Decontamination Assistant to join the Sterile Services Department and Endoscope Decontamination Unit. You will ensure reusable medical devices are cleaned, disinfected and sterilised to required standards, supporting safe patient care.

The role requires attention to detail and teamwork, with weekend work and flexible hours. Full-time position, Tuesday to Friday 14:00–22:00 and Saturday 12:00–20:00, within a leading NHS Trust.

Responsibilities

• 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 washed, disinfected and dried.
• Conducting independent checks of instrument trays prepared by others, reporting discrepancies.
• Maintaining an understanding of basic types and categories of instruments and flexible scopes, and identifying key inspection and testing points.

Job description

Join a vital team at Bedford Hospital where your work directly supports safe, high-quality patient care. As a Decontamination Assistant, you will play a key role in ensuring reusable medical devices -- including endoscopes -- are cleaned, disinfected, and sterilised to the highest standards. Working within both the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscope Decontamination Unit, you will follow strict ISO-accredited policies, procedures, and work instructions to maintain safety, compliance, and excellence. This is a hands‑on and essential role where attention to detail and teamwork are critical. You will support all decontamination‑related duties, ensuring clinical teams have safe, ready‑to‑use equipment at all times while adhering to departmental standards across all areas. The successful candidate will be committed to delivering a safe, compliant, and high‑quality service for all customers and stakeholders. You will be motivated, adaptable, and flexible with working hours, including weekends, and demonstrate a willingness to undertake all training required to excel in the role. At Bedford Hospital, our priority is to provide the standard of care we would expect for our own loved ones. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and rewarding workplace, ensuring we have the right people in the right roles to deliver outstanding 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., 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.
  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.