Decontamination Assistant (Sterile services)

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in the UK is seeking a dedicated Decontamination Assistant to join their team. This full-time position involves carrying out the decontamination and sterilisation of reusable medical devices in accordance with ISO guidelines. Candidates should be flexible with working hours and committed to maintaining safety and compliance. The role includes various responsibilities such as preparing and inspecting medical devices, conducting quality checks, and adhering to departmental work instructions. This is an excellent opportunity to join a high-performing team focused on exceptional patient care.

Benefits

Access to training and development

Supportive team environment

Commitment to equality and diversity

Qualifications

• Commitment to providing a safe and compliant decontamination service.
• Ability to follow ISO-accredited policies and procedures.
• Willingness to undertake necessary training.

Responsibilities

• Carry out decontamination and sterilisation of medical devices.
• Perform quality checks on decontaminated items.
• Report any discrepancies or failures in the decontamination process.

Skills

Attention to detail

Flexibility in working hours

Compliance with standards

Education

Training in decontamination processes

Job description

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

• 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.
• 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 re-use 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 non‑conforming devices and sundries in the event of a failed washer, disinfector or steriliser cycle, ensuring such items are not used in any surgical procedure.

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 are committed to promoting equality and diversity.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the first six months in post.