Decontamination Technician

NHS; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Decontamination Technician to ensure the safe sterilisation and disposal of medical waste. The role demands close collaboration with laboratory teams, adherence to stringent safety protocols, and effective communication skills. This physically demanding position offers the opportunity to work in a vital healthcare environment with a focus on infection control and compliance.

Qualifications

• Education to GCSE or equivalent, including Maths and English.
• NVQ3 (Technical Certificate Decontamination) or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to attend training throughout employment.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for safe sterilisation and disposal of waste.
• Work closely with laboratory staff during collections.
• Maintain compliance with safety regulations.

Skills

Team work

Calm under pressure

Professional manner

Knowledge of infection control

Experience in decontamination

Ability to train staff

Education

Education to GCSE or equivalent

NVQ3 (Technical Certificate Decontamination)

Job description

The post holder will mainly be responsible for the safe sterilisation then disposal of waste produced by the pathology laboratory at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The post holder will be required to work closely with the pathology laboratory staff to compliantly load the sterilisers, safely collect CAT 3 waste from the laboratory whilst being accompanied by laboratory staff, correctly run a steriliser cycle, sign off a successful cycle and escalate any cycle failures appropriately.

Some tasks required within this role are governed by regulations therefore the employee must work in accordance to such regulations and the departments Standard Operating procedures to ensure an effective and compliant service is delivered.

The role within pathology decontamination is restricted due to the run time of the sterilisers, whilst the sterilisers are in operation the post holder will be expected to work in sterile services, Endoscopy decontamination, and theatre logistics.

Main duties of the job

Main duties will be within the pathology decontamination area and all other areas will be secondary to this role.

To work in accordance with Departmental & National Policy, Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Management Systems to provide a responsive service.

Able to demonstrate ability, and apply knowledge and competence to all tasks required to supply and support the provision of pathology, decontamination of endoscopes and theatre instruments respectively; and consequently efficient store management protocols and timely delivery according to customer needs.

Report untoward incidents, non-conformities and any other relevant information to a senior member of staff using the Trust Incident reporting system.

Take responsibility for logging and escalating failures of equipment to relevant stake holders and management.

Responsible for keeping all work areas clean and tidy and maintain a safe, pleasant environment following departmental procedures.

Ensure that maintenance problems are reported to Estates promptly and liaise with clinical teams accordingly to inform of possible delays.

About us

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.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Job responsibilities

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.

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.

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

Post holder will come into contact with remnants of blood, body tissue or offensive by-products.

Whist working in pathology decontamination you will be subject to foul smells.

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

JOB DESCRIPTION WILL EVOLVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A DEVELOPING SERVICE

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Education to GCSE or equivalent, including Maths and English
• NVQ3 (Technical Certificate Decontamination) or equivalent level of knowledge and experience through decontamination training
• Willingness to attend training throughout the duration of being in post

Skills

• Team WOrker
• Ability to stay calm/work under pressure
• Professional manner at all times
• Knowledge of infection control. health & safety, COSHH
• Knowledge and experience in the decontamination of reusable medical devices
• Ability to train staff in decontamination systems

Experience

• Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously
• A working knowledge of keyboard, typing and computer skills
• Ability to work to standard operating procedures
• Supervisory Experience
• Decontamination/Warehouse experience
• Involvement with change, quality assurance and innovation work

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.