Sterile Services Technical Assistant | Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Mid Cheshire Hospitals; Crewe; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Crewe seeks an individual for a vital role in their decontamination unit. You will be responsible for cleaning, assembling, and packaging surgical instruments while ensuring compliance with ISO 13485:2016 standards. Effective communication skills and attention to detail are essential. The position may require weekend work as part of the Trust's commitment to equity of services.

Qualifications

• Experience in decontamination procedures for surgical instruments.
• Knowledge of quality standards and regulations.
• Ability to work in a busy environment and maintain effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Dismantle, clean, assemble, and package surgical instruments.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 13485:2016 standards.
• Maintain a clean and sterile condition for medical devices.

Skills

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Understanding of ISO 13485:2016

Stock management

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.

Responsibilities

• 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 sterilizers.
• Deliver medical devices to service users in a clean and sterile condition.
• Adhere to quality standards.
• Attend and complete training necessary to attain/maintain competency including trust mandatory training.
• Supply sterile instruments and kits to twelve theatres, outpatient departments and external service users; despatch sterile packs and trays to departments and wards as required.
• Sort, verify, and manage used surgical instruments and associated items with the aid of correct machinery; assemble, package and label instrument sets and items in compliance with ISO 13485:2016.
• Develop understanding of surgical instruments and their applications; demonstrate ability to disassemble and reassemble instruments for surgical procedures.
• Verify that quality standards are upheld and that products are suitable for their intended use.
• Comprehend and effectively utilise the Fingerprint Tracking and Traceability System.
• Grasp stock management principles and the importance of expiry dates.
• Ensure products provided to service users are delivered in a clean and sterile condition.
• Undertake porter duties and the delivery of equipment as instructed.
• Operate major departmental equipment (washer disinfectors, transfer hatches, sterilisers) according to specified work instructions.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Trust policies and guidelines; alert senior management if practice contravenes policy.
• Adhere to COSHH regulations.
• Apply knowledge of ISO medical devices 13485:2016.
• Maintain tracking and traceability; resolve discrepancies and report unresolved issues to the Senior Decontamination Technician.
• Establish and maintain effective communication; maintain confidentiality of information.

Management & Leadership

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

Education / Learning

• Take responsibility for own learning and development; participate in Motiv8/Appraisal.
• Take on board training necessary to attain/maintain competency, including trust mandatory training.
• This job description outlines the role and does not describe all tasks.

Continuous Improvement

• Support the Trust’s commitment to continuous improvement via Improvement Matters; role model improver behaviours.
• Take personal responsibility to foster a learning culture and support colleagues through change.
• Coach and enable others to innovate and improve in their area of work using Improvement Matters.

General Staff Responsibilities

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

Additional Information

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking to ensure equity of services across seven days. This post may require weekend work. This advert closes on Sunday 28 Sep 2025.