Decontamination Technician

NHS; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health authority in the UK is seeking a self-motivated individual for a Sterile Services role within a busy team. You will prepare, sterilize, and deliver surgical instruments while ensuring quality assurance. Experience in a decontamination service is desirable. This position offers training and requires flexibility for on-call duties during holidays and weekends. The ability to communicate in Welsh is an advantage. Overall, a fast-paced environment that values commitment to quality.

Qualifications

• Experience in a decontamination service or similar.
• Ability to deliver practical work-based training.
• Welsh speaker (Level 1) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide sterilization and delivery of surgical instruments.
• Ensure accreditation maintenance per EC Directive.
• Work as part of the Sterile Service team.

Skills

Ability to manage and prioritize workload

Teamwork in a fast-paced environment

Customer service experience

Education

Good level of general education with GCSE passes or equivalent

NVQ Level 3 in decontamination or equivalent experience

Tools

Basic computer literacy

Internal auditor's qualification to ISO 13485 standards

Job description

We require a self-motivated individual with a flexible approach to the needs of the service to join our busy Sterile Services Unit in Hywel Dda University Health Board. The post holder will be based at Glangwili General Hospital.

The post holder will be required to work as team members of the Sterile Service team carrying out duties related to the provision of decontaminated surgical instruments and flexible endoscopes to the Health Board and external customers.

During the training period, there will be dedicated training mentor assigned to the successful applicant at all times. When fully competent in all aspects of duties and responsibilities, the post holders will be required to have flexible approach to covering on call duties which includes Bank Holidays and Weekends.

A proven ability to manage and prioritise own workload and that of others in fast paced customer focused, and quality assured environment would be an advantage.

Previous experience of working in Sterile Services or Endoscopy decontamination is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided.

Main duties of the job

To provide a high quality service, through the preparation, production, sterilization and delivery of ward and departmental procedure packs, along with comprehensive Theatre and Day Theatre instrument sets within the Hywel Dda Health Board. Accreditation to EC Directive 93/42 EEC must be maintained at all times by ensuring all relevant documentation is completed and departmental procedures are followed.

Detailed descriptions and further information relating to duties and job requirements are defined within departmental work instructions, technical files and instrument tray contents lists, which the post holder should ensure they have reviewed and understand.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Interviews will be held on 13/01/2025

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97
• community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Person Specification

Experience

• Professional experience of working in and applying a quality management system within a decontamination service
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Experience of dealing with customers
• To be able to give advice, instruction, monitor staff and initiate first line corrective action
• Experience in supervising/managing staff

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Good level of general education with GCSE passes or equivalent
• Basic computer literacy
• NVQ Level 3 in decontamination or equivalent experience
• Internal auditor's qualification to ISO 13485 standards
• Attainment of E-learning programme in decontamination practices principles
• 'Institute of Decontamination Sciences' Technical Certificate Course
• Ability to deliver practical work based training and assessment

Language Skills

• Welsh speaker (Level 1)

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.