Sterile Services Technical Assistant

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Crewe; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Crewe is seeking a dedicated individual to join the decontamination unit. The role focuses on ensuring compliance with ISO standards while managing surgical instruments for various departments. Ideal candidates must possess relevant qualifications and effective communication skills. Training will be provided to maintain competency. This position is vital for upholding the quality of healthcare services delivered to the community.

Benefits

Continuous training and development

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Adhere to ISO 13485:2016 standards.
• Comply with local policies and work instructions.
• Take necessary training to maintain competency.

Responsibilities

• Assist in executing decontamination procedures.
• Maintain the quality system of the department.
• Manage used surgical instruments.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Technical Skills

Education

Relevant Professional Qualification

Tools

Tracking Systems

Sterilization Equipment

Job description

Overview

The individual in this position will play a vital role within the decontamination unit, assisting the team in executing comprehensive decontamination procedures for both the trust and community service users. This will involve strict adherence to local policies and work instructions, as well as compliance with the ISO 13485:2016 standards for Medical Device, ensuring that the quality system of the department is rigorously maintained.

• Dismantle, clean, assemble and package surgical instruments in compliance with ISO 13485:2016.
• Communicate with service users on a daily basis in a clear and constructive manner.
• Effectively utilise the Fingerprint Tracking and Traceability System.
• Ensure proper functioning of all major departmental equipment, including washer disinfectors and sterilisers.
• Deliver medical devices to service users in a clean and sterile condition.
• Adhere to quality standards.
• Take on board training deemed necessary to attain/maintain competency including trust mandatory training.

Service Delivery

• Play a vital role in the team by ensuring the supply of sterile instruments and kits to twelve theatres, along with outpatient departments and external service users.
• Comply with all local policies and standards.
• Communicate effectively with the SSD team and liaise with service users.
• Sort, verify, and manage used surgical instruments and additional items with the aid of the correct machinery.
• Assemble, package, and label instrument sets and additional items in compliance with ISO 13485:2016 standards.
• Develop an understanding of surgical instruments and their applications and be able to disassemble and reassemble instruments for surgical procedures.
• Verify that quality standards are upheld and that the products manufactured are suitable for their intended use.
• Utilise the Fingerprint Tracking and Traceability System.
• Despatch sterile packs and trays to departments and wards as required.
• Understand stock management principles and the importance of expiry dates.
• Ensure products provided to service users are delivered in a clean and sterile condition.
• Ensure proper functioning of all major departmental equipment, including washer disinfectors, transfer hatches, and sterilisers according to work instructions.
• Undertake porter duties and the delivery of equipment being processed as instructed.
• Engage in necessary training to develop and uphold competency, including trust mandatory training.

Governance

• Ensure compliance with Trust policies and guidelines for self and others; alert senior management if practice contravenes policy.
• Ensure COSHH regulations are strictly adhered to.
• Working knowledge and application of ISO medical devices 13485:2016.
• Ensure tracking and traceability processes are always adhered to; resolve discrepancies and report unresolved issues to the Senior Decontamination Technician.
• Establish and maintain effective communication, maintaining confidentiality of information.

Managerial / Leadership

• Ensure effective and efficient use of resources.
• Ensure a healthy, safe, and secure working environment, compliant with legal and regulatory requirements; maintain accurate documentation and report concerns.

Continuous Improvement

• Support the Trust's commitment to developing a continuous improvement culture by making everyday improvements as part of your job using Improvement Matters, the Trust's single continuous improvement approach.
• Role model behaviours of an improver: curiosity, humility, compassion, reflective practice, open-mindedness to try new ideas, self-discipline.
• Take personal responsibility for actively contributing to a culture that promotes learning and supports colleagues to embrace change.
• Coach and enable others to innovate and make improvements using Improvement Matters as the Trust's single improvement approach.

All staff at MCHFT have a responsibility to

• Maintain active registration status.
• Act in accordance with professional Codes of Conduct and guiding documents where applicable.
• Act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers where applicable.
• Maintain up-to-date skills and knowledge.
• Be aware of patient-led service issues.
• Maintain a professional/personal portfolio.
• Adhere to all Trust policy, procedures, and guidelines.
• Adhere to Trust values, standards of behaviour and expected performance.
• Comply with Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) policies and procedures and be personally accountable for actions.
• Work in accordance with local procedures and report health and safety risks and issues.
• Where applicable, participate in and provide data on the efficacy of treatment.
• All Managers should undertake the online IOSH Managing Safely course (mandatory for clinical staff above band 6 who manage people).

About Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford. Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers. Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System. As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we are reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.