Theatre Decontamination Assistant

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham is seeking a Theatre Decontamination Assistant to join a busy theatre team. You will help provide sterile instruments for surgical procedures and support the decontamination provider with efficient instrument flow.

The role requires attention to detail, good communication, and the ability to prioritise in a busy environment. NHS AfC Band 2 remuneration applies, with a yearly salary of £25,272.

Qualifications

• Maths and English GCSE grade C or equivalent.
• Decontamination experience within theatres.
• Basic knowledge of sterile instrument handling and decontamination.
• Awareness of infection prevention and record keeping for sterile instruments.

Responsibilities

• Provide sterile instruments for theatre operating lists.
• Check trays and documentation for damaged/missing instruments; escalate as needed.
• Coordinate movement of dirty and clean instrument trays with the decontamination provider.
• Support repairs, loan equipment and related documentation.
• Maintain accurate instrument records and traceability.
• Communicate with theatre staff and decontamination provider about requirements and issues.
• Assist with urgent instrument requests and changing theatre demands.
• Keep storage areas clean, tidy and organised; perform routine audits.

Skills

Deadline-driven

Interpersonal skills

Follow instructions

Work in busy environment

Education

Maths & English GCSE C or equivalent

Job description

Employer The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Town Birmingham Salary £25,272 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 30/09/2026 23:59

Theatre Decontamination Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 2

Job overview

We are looking for a motivated and organised Theatre Decontamination Assistant to join our busy Theatre team. You will play an important role in supporting the safe and timely provision of sterile instruments for surgical procedures, working closely with theatre staff and our decontamination provider.

This is a varied role requiring good attention to detail, effective communication and the ability to prioritise workload in a busy environment. You will support the management of instruments, repairs and loan equipment and help ensure the smooth flow of instrumentation to support operating lists and high-quality patient care.

Main duties of the job

• Support the safe and timely provision of sterile instruments for theatre operating lists.
• Check instrument trays and documentation, identifying damaged, incomplete or missing instruments and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Coordinate the movement of dirty and clean instrument trays to and from the decontamination provider.
• Support the management of instrument repairs, loan equipment and associated documentation.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure instrument traceability is maintained.
• Liaise with theatre staff and the decontamination provider regarding routine instrument requirements and any issues affecting theatre services.
• Support urgent and priority requests for instruments, responding to changing theatre demands.
• Maintain clean, tidy and organised sterile instrument storage areas and undertake routine audits as required.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist orthopaedic units in Europe. We offer planned orthopaedic surgery to people locally, nationally and internationally.

Our Trust is a very special hospital; big enough to deliver world class services and small enough to offer exceptional patient and staff experience. We offer a working experience unique in the West Midlands and we're always on the lookout for passionate people to join our award-winning team.

The ROH is an equal opportunities employer. We employ people of difference and are committed to growing an inclusive culture, where difference is celebrated, and people feel able to bring their whole and authentic self to work.

We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer a range of inclusive, family friendly and flexible working arrangements and policies, to support our people in the workplace. Flexible working requests will be considered.

The Trust is committed to the Disability Confident Interview Scheme and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy and consider them on their abilities.

If you have a disability and need any support with your application or require any reasonable adjustments to be implemented please do get in touch with the Recruiting Manager for this position so that the team can support you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached the Job Description and Person Specification for more information about the role.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Maths and English GCSE C or equivalent

Experience

• Decontamination Experience within theatres

Knowledge

• Basic knowledge of sterile instrument handling and decontamination processes
• Understanding of infection prevention and control principles
• Awareness of the importance of accurate documentation, traceability and record keeping for sterile instruments.
• Knowledge of Trust policies, standard operating procedures and health and safety requirements relevant to the role.

Skills

• Ability to work to deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to follow instructions and use own initiative.
• Ability to follow instructions on set procedures
• Ability to work in a busy environment
• Good interpersonal and communication skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.