About this role
Job summary
We are a large friendly team with a commitment to high standards and meeting the needs of our customers in this critical area. Involves the cleaning, decontamination and sterilising of re-usable surgical instruments and equipment to support the Trust in the provision of surgical care for our patients. We work closely with our operating theatres and wards to provide safe, sterile surgical instruments and equipment within the timeframes that it is required.
Without the safe reprocessing of re-usable sterile instruments and equipment patients would not be able to have their operations and outpatient procedures. We are accredited to the ISO13485 and constantly seek to maintain and improve our quality standards.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Main duties of the job
To ensure that all products manufactured in the Sterile Services department within the Trust are fit for purpose and produced in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with the Quality Management System (QMS) relevant to the area.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream
Job description Job responsibilities
To work with the management & supervisors to meet the production needs of the department & its customers To comply with all local policies and procedures To check that all equipment is present and correct To check that all equipment is present and correct Report any discrepancies to the customer and the department manager/supervisor immediately. Complete the relevant documents for any non-conformances To wash and decontaminate instruments according to the departments policies and procedures, particularly Health and Safety and Control of Infection. To be able to identify different pieces of equipment, speciality and the customer they belong To repack and prepare instrument sets and packs for theatres and other departments in accordance with the work instructions and standard operating procedures and the relevant kardex (preference) lists. To ensure that packs are clearly identified using the bar coded traceability system. To sterilize instrument packs by use of dual temperature steam autoclaves and other sterilizing equipment as necessary. To identify the different types of equipment for high temp sterilization and low temp sterilization.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
GCSE's /O Levels or ability to demonstrate equivalent Decontamination NVQ Level 3 or Equivalent
Desirable
Full or part member of IDSc/CSC
Experience Essential
Experience of producing quality products within a defined performance criteria
Desirable
Experience in a theatre or sterile services department Experience of working with the NHS
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Demonstrate awareness of importance of working as part of a team Able to communicate effectively in difficult or stressful situations Ability to work under own initiative Ensure all work processed is recorded using the IT tracking systems in accordance with the relevant work instruction
Desirable
Competent in the operation of sterilisers and washer/disinfectors Computer literate with knowledge of tracking systems Knowledge of working with a QMS
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 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Stadium Road
London
SE18 4QH
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)