Sterile Services Technical Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Manage the administration for the ordering, checking, recording and return of on-loan and trial equipment as described in the Quality Management System (QMS).

Support the maintenance of the database for the instrument management system along with any other associated activities.

Assist the Quality Manager with daily tasks and specific projects in respect of the review and rationalisation of surgical instrument sets. This will include changes to tray lists and making alterations to instruments on the trays.

Provide Team Leaders and their Deputies with advice and guidance relating to tray changes and new equipment requirements and implement the agreed changes.

Provide administration support for the commissioning of new equipment, including obtaining quotes, ordering of equipment and IMS administration.

Ensure instruments are correctly catalogued and referenced.

Set up new trays and make alterations to existing trays following agreed protocols

Contribute towards process improvement ideas for the department.

Use IT packages to complete administrative duties, including use of Microsoft Office, E-Series (Integra), Synergy Web portal and the Instrument Management System (IMS).

Have technical knowledge of and maintain effective use of equipment used within the decontamination process to ensure that it meets the required standards.

Provide cover for key duties in the absence of other team members and under direction of management.

Assist with the management of non-conforming trays returned from theatres.

Provide support and staff training for the tracking of High Risk Neurosurgery trays.

Provide reports using the instrument management system as required by management.

Ensure that supplier information, including decontamination and traceability records are maintained.

Manage repair/maintenance process for instruments, including proving service reports to Team Leaders, maintenance of the repairs data base, preparation of damaged instruments for dispatch, providing appropriate decontamination certificates and authorising repairs or replacements as necessary and promptly returning repaired equipment to use.

Maintain up to date skills and knowledge of Sterile Services technician role, including processes, instrumentation and machinery.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

• City and Guild Level 3 in Decontaminating Medical Devices or demonstrate an equivalent level of experience in a decontamination area / Sterile Services

Desirable

• ECDL or other IT qualification

Experience

Essential

• Thorough knowledge of surgical instrumentation for a wide range of specialities
• Competent in the use of Microsoft office (including use of outlook, excel etc)
• Comprehensive experience of using instrument tracking and traceability systems
• Thorough knowledge of sterile services equipment and processes
• Experience of working in a customer service environment
• Experience of training and mentoring other staff

Desirable

• Experience of generating reports.
• Knowledge and understanding of standards and legislation regarding instrument manufacture and processing

Communication & Relationship Skills

Essential

• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication (including polite telephone manner)
• Ability to communicate with a variety of different people at varying levels within the Trust and outside of the Trust.
• Ability to develop co -operative working relationships
• Ability to work on your own or as part of a team
• Ability to contribute to / make suggestions, ideas to develop the service / improve working practices

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential

• Understand the limit of own responsibility/knowledge and when to refer to others.
• Uses resources cost effectively
• Works in line with QMS but able to use own initiative and work unsupervised

Planning and Organisation Skills

Essential

• Manages time and plans own day to day work.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and deliver to deadlines

Desirable

• Ability to identify own learning needs

Physical Skills

Essential

• Manual dexterity, speed and accuracy required

Desirable

• Evidence of moving and handling training

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential

• Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to work in stressful situations & during periods of high demand for services, in a calm, professional manner.
• Ability to undertake the physical demands of the job and sustain long periods of standing / lifting of heavy goods
• Flexible approach to meet the demands of a 24/7 service

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

Nottingham University Hospitals, Queens Medical Centre

Nottingham

NG7 2UH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)