Decontamination Assistant (Sterile Services)

£25,272 a year per annum

As a Decontamination Assistant, you will be part of a dedicated team responsible for the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation of reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, in line with ISO-accredited policies, procedures, and departmental work instructions. Based within the Sterile Services Department and Endoscope Decontamination Unit at Bedford Hospital, you will play an important role in ensuring medical equipment is processed safely, effectively, and in compliance with regulatory standards.

The Decontamination Service at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust includes the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscopy Decontamination Unit, which are responsible for providing sterile and disinfected reusable medical devices to wards, departments, and theatres across the Trust. The service supports patient care through the collection, decontamination, inspection, preparation, packaging, sterilisation or disinfection, and distribution of reusable medical devices.

• Receiving, sorting, and preparing reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, for cleaning and disinfection.
• Inspecting, reassembling, testing, packaging, sealing, and labelling medical devices following successful decontamination processes.
• Carrying out independent quality checks on instrument trays prepared by colleagues, ensuring accuracy and reporting any discrepancies.
• Developing and maintaining knowledge of surgical instruments, reusable medical devices, and flexible endoscopes, including their functions, handling requirements, and key inspection and testing points.
• Ensuring all work is carried out in accordance with departmental procedures, ISO-accredited standards, and relevant health and safety requirements.
• Contributing to the efficient operation of the department by maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and service delivery at all times.

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this vacancy; please review them for full details and responsibilities.

• Inspecting instruments and medical equipment upon receipt into the decontamination area and throughout the decontamination, storage, and distribution process, promptly reporting any damaged, defective, or missing items.
• Dismantling, cleaning, reassembling, and preparing instruments in accordance with manufacturers instructions and departmental procedures.
• Ensuring all instrument sets and supplementary items are correctly wrapped, packaged, labelled, and prepared in line with legislation, national guidance, and service requirements.
• Maintaining knowledge of sterilisation and disinfection methods and understanding the importance of product safety and liability in the reprocessing of reusable medical devices.
• Performing quality assurance checks to verify that instruments and devices have been effectively decontaminated and are safe for patient use.
• Identifying and escalating any concerns regarding the effectiveness of the decontamination process, reporting and documenting failures in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Reviewing and verifying process records and cycle data before products are approved for release and distribution.
• Using appropriate packaging materials and packing techniques to protect instruments and minimise the risk of damage during storage and transport.
• Following procedures for the management of non-conforming devices and equipment following failed washer-disinfector or steriliser cycles, ensuring unsuitable items are quarantined and not released for clinical use.

This is a full-time position working a three-week rotating shift pattern:

• Early Shift: 7:30am to 3:30pm
• Middle Shift: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Late Shift: 2:00pm to 10:00pm

The role also includes working every sixth Saturday (12:00pm to 8:00pm) and participation in a Sunday on-call rota.

The successful candidate will be committed to delivering a high-quality decontamination service and maintaining the highest standards of patient safety. You will be motivated, reliable, and flexible, with the ability to work a range of shifts, including weekends, and be willing to undertake all necessary training to develop within the role.

At Bedford Hospital, we are dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and high-quality care for our patients. We strive to be an excellent place to work, ensuring we have the right people in the right roles to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

United Kingdom

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

10 November 2026

Agenda for change

Band 2

Permanent

Full-time

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

United Kingdom