SSDU Team Coordinator

NHS; Bolton; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Bolton is seeking an SSDU Team Coordinator to oversee daily operations of the Sterile Services & Decontamination Unit. The successful candidate will allocate staff, manage technical inquiries, and ensure high service standards. Essential qualifications include relevant experience in decontamination and strong communication skills. This role offers a full-time contract, competitive salary, and the chance to be part of a dedicated team ensuring patient safety and effective service delivery.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• Good Standard of General Education including Maths and English to GCSE standard.
• Experience working within a decontamination unit.
• Proven track record as a Team Leader or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day coordination of SSDU services.
• Serve as the point of contact for team leaders and service users.
• Report deficiencies and escalate service outages.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organisational ability

People management

Problem solving

Computer literacy

Education

Good Standard of General Education

Functional Skills to Level 2 in Maths, English and IT

Tools

Quality management systems

Sterilisation equipment

Decontamination machinery

Job description

Job Summary

Are you a focused, pro‑active, forward‑thinking individual? If the answer is "yes" then this could be the opportunity that you have been looking for. We are offering you the opportunity to become part of our team at the Sterile Services & Decontamination Unit, Lostock, Bolton as an SSDU Team Coordinator.

37.5 hours per week: Saturday 8am‑8pm, Sunday 8am‑8pm and two weekday shifts (days and times are dependent on operational requirements of the department).

Applicants who have already received feedback that they are unsuitable for the position need not apply unless they have taken steps to strengthen their application or gained further experience since that decision. Please note that this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Main Duties

To oversee the day‑to‑day co‑ordination of each aspect of the SSDU. The post holder will allocate and co‑ordinate staffing to each of the discrete areas within the unit (x4) to ensure the smooth running of the service during the shift, of around 30–40 people.

• Serve as the first point of reference for team leaders in technical enquiries, quality standards, and safe working practice.
• Act as the primary point of contact for service users, responding to complaints, incidents, and technical enquiries and liaising with logistics and theatre staff across all theatres.
• Continuously seek ways to improve processes and procedures within the unit, driving the continuous improvement of service performance.
• Authorise and manage unit machinery (washer‑disinfectors, ultrasonic irrigators, sterilisers) for testing or maintenance.
• Report deficiencies to the Decontamination Manager and Quality/Governance Manager and liaise with the Estates Department or On‑Call Engineer for defective equipment.
• Escalate potential service outages lasting more than two hours to the Decontamination Manager and On‑Call Manager.

About Us

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the proud provider of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL we value our staff, believing that "happy staff makes for happy patients". We are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and to providing safe, effective care that upholds dignity.

• People at the Heart
• Listen and Involve
• Kind and Respectful
• ONE Team

Employment Details

Date posted: 10 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number: 302‑25‑7628970E

Location: Sterile Services Decontamination Unit, Unit 10 Cranfield Road, Lostock, Bolton, BL6 4SB

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Good Standard of General Education including Maths and English to GCSE standard
• Functional Skills to Level 2 in Maths, English and IT

Desirable Qualifications

• Completion of Decontamination Apprenticeship
• Supervisory / Coaching Certificate
• First line managerial qualification (e.g. ILM Level 3)
• IT skills
• Institute of Decontamination Managers Certificate

Essential Experience

• Experience working within a decontamination unit
• Proven track record as a Team Leader or equivalent
• Broad exposure to the range of equipment used within the service
• Principles of decontamination
• Knowledge of legislative requirements within the unit
• Application of quality management system and audit

Desirable Experience

• HR experience of managing small groups of staff
• Experience within NHS
• Understanding of how service integrates with theatre
• Ability to write work instructions in keeping with the quality management system requirements
• First line H&S awareness

Essential Skills

• Professional representation of SSDU with customers
• Excellent communication and organisational ability
• People management and coaching
• Computer literacy
• Problem solving and conflict resolution
• Negotiation and motivation of teams
• Continuous improvement facilitation

Desirable Skills

• Analytical skills

Essential Knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of disinfection and sterilisation techniques
• Extensive knowledge of surgical instruments and equipment

Additional Essential Attributes

• Ability to work on own initiative
• Hard‑working attitude
• Professional appearance and approach
• Clear, confident English communication

Desirable Attributes

• Delegating effectively
• Flexibility to meet the needs and demands of the service

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly 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.

Employer Details

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sterile Services Decontamination Unit
Unit 10 Cranfield Road, Lostock
Bolton
BL6 4SB
Website: http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/