About this role
Job summary
Based within the NHS-based at Southmead Hospital
Full Time 37.5 Hours Per Week
Working 5 Days Over 7 Including Weekends & Bank HolidaysVarious Shift Patterns Including Afternoons, Evenings & Nights
Are you looking for a rewarding career within the NHS?Do you have a good eye for detail and enjoy working as part of a busy team?
We are looking for motivated and reliable individuals to join our CSSD (Central Sterile Services Department) Decontamination Team. No previous experience is required as full training will be provided.
This is an important role helping to ensure medical equipment and surgical instruments are cleaned, disinfected and sterilised to the highest standards, supporting safe patient care across the hospital.
About you:
Good attention to detail Able to work well within a team Reliable and motivated Physically able to undertake a demanding role involving standing, bending and lifting Willingness to learn new skillsWhat we offer:
Full training provided no experience necessary NHS Band 2 pay scale Excellent NHS benefits package Apprenticeship opportunities available Great career progression opportunities within Decontamination Services Supportive team environment Opportunity to develop specialist skills and qualificationsThis is a fantastic opportunity to start a long-term career within the NHS and develop within an essential healthcare service.
Apply now and become part of a team dedicated to patient safety and high-quality care
Main duties of the job
The Cleaning, Checking /Packing and Sterilising of medical equipment.Use of a tracking computerised system.
What the role involves:
You will be required to use keyboards, touch screens and scanners.
Cleaning and decontaminating medical equipment and surgical instruments Inspecting instruments with a high level of attention to detail Working in a fast-paced clinical environment Following strict infection prevention and safety procedures Standing for long periods, bending and lifting throughout shifts Working flexibly across a variety of shift patterns Initially there will be 3 weeks of induction training during day time shifts, you will then complete all other training on the allocated shift patterns
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description Job responsibilities
Previous applications, need not apply
Decontamination Technician / Endoscopy Decontamination Technician
Job Purpose
To provide a high-quality decontamination and sterilisation service for reusable medical devices, flexible endoscopes, surgical instruments, and associated equipment in accordance with Trust policies, ISO standards, Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs), infection prevention standards, and Health & Safety regulations.
The post holder will support the safe and effective delivery of patient care by ensuring medical devices are cleaned, disinfected, inspected, assembled, sterilised, tracked, and distributed to required standards and within agreed service levels.
Key Responsibilities
General Duties
Maintain and develop professional working relationships with colleagues, theatres, wards, departments, and external customers. Behave professionally and courteously at all times. Participate in a rotational working system across all areas of the department. Receive, disassemble, clean, inspect, disinfect, assemble, sterilise, pack, and distribute reusable medical devices and flexible endoscopes. Carry out functionality testing on reusable medical devices and equipment. Operate departmental equipment safely and effectively in accordance with departmental procedures and manufacturer instructions. Record all stages of the decontamination and sterilisation process using electronic traceability systems and manual documentation where required. Assess and approve work completed by colleagues where appropriate. Identify, diagnose, and report failures or abnormalities in equipment test results in accordance with ISO 13485, HTMs, Medical Devices Directive (MDD 93/42/EEC), and Health & Safety requirements. Escalate equipment failures, process deviations, and emergencies to Team Leaders, Production Coordinators, or Managers. Participate in departmental and Trust-wide audits and support implementation of service improvements. Assist with Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) activities. Maintain compliance with departmental Quality Management Systems and Health & Safety policies. Report customer complaints, incidents, and non-conformances to the appropriate manager. Mentor, train, and support new or less experienced staff members. Attend mandatory and role-specific training as required. Participate in appraisal, performance reviews, and continuous professional development. Contribute to the Trusts vision, values, and operational objectives.Raw Material Store & Endoscopy Storerooms
Process stock orders and deliveries using correct documentation and inventory systems. Maintain stock rotation and ensure removal of external packaging where required. Monitor and maintain agreed stock levels and raise replenishment requests/orders. Participate in stock takes and inventory audits. Ensure compliance with storage requirements relating to temperature, humidity, COSHH, and manual handling regulations. Safely manoeuvre trolleys and undertake manual handling of instrument sets and supplies.Washrooms / Decontamination Areas
Perform daily testing and maintenance checks on Washer Disinfectors, Ultrasonic Cleaners, Trolley Washers, Automatic Endoscope Reprocessors (AERs), and associated equipment. Record and review test results to demonstrate compliance and support audit requirements. Follow washroom protocols, standard operating procedures, infection prevention, and Health & Safety requirements at all times. Log incoming instruments, sets, and endoscopes into the traceability system and prioritise workloads appropriately. Verify equipment completeness and report discrepancies immediately. Complete non-conformance documentation where required. Process specialist loan instrumentation in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Recognise and appropriately dispose of single-use devices. Respond to customer queries and prioritise urgent/Fast Track requests. Handle contaminated devices safely using appropriate PPE and universal precautions, including compliance with Cytotoxic, NICE, and CJD policies. Safely dispose of clinical waste, sharps, linen, and fluids in accordance with policy.Inspection, Assembly & Packing (IAP) / Endoscopy Clean Room
Conduct environmental monitoring and record air handling unit checks. Perform testing and recording of heat sealers and diathermy testers. Inspect instruments and devices for cleanliness, functionality, and damage prior to packing. Assemble and pack surgical trays and instruments to agreed specifications ensuring sterility maintenance. Apply tamper-evident seals, sterilisation indicators, and approved wrapping systems. Sign tray lists and traceability documentation, accepting accountability for work completed. Perform visual checks on wash cycle parameters and reprocess failed loads as required. Comply with gowning procedures and clean room standards. Prioritise workloads to minimise disruption to patient care and theatre schedules. Process and dispatch endoscopes in line with departmental traceability and accountability procedures.Sterilisation Services
Test sterilisers in accordance with departmental quality control procedures. Record and analyse steriliser test results to demonstrate compliance. Operate sterilisers safely and effectively using correct PPE and safe systems of work. Inspect sterilised loads to confirm integrity and sterility indicators have achieved required parameters. Raise non-conformance reports (NCRs) where necessary. Categorise and prepare instruments and sets for dispatch. Produce decontamination certificates for loan sets and repaired instruments. Process urgent/Fast Track items to meet clinical demand. Use low-temperature sterilisation systems, including Sterrad gas plasma sterilisation equipment, where trained and competent.High Level Disinfection / Endoscopy Decontamination
Decontaminate flexible endoscopes in accordance with manufacturer instructions, HTMs, JAG guidance, and departmental standard operating procedures. Undertake all stages of the endoscope decontamination cycle including: Visual inspection Manual cleaning Leak testing High-level disinfection Drying Storage Tracking and tracing Transportation and dispatch Safely operate Endoscope Washer Disinfectors (EWDs), drying cabinets, and associated equipment. Carry out routine testing and quality assurance checks on endoscopes and decontamination equipment. Maintain accurate electronic and paper tracking documentation. Identify and report equipment faults, process failures, and non-conformities promptly. Work safely with chemicals and disinfectants in accordance with COSHH regulations and departmental PPE requirements. Support safe storage and transportation of endoscopes in compliance with infection prevention standards.Quality, Compliance & Health and Safety
Ensure all duties are carried out in line with: ISO 13485 Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs) Trust policies and procedures Infection Prevention & Control standards Health & Safety legislation COSHH regulations Medical Devices legislation Maintain accurate records to support audits, traceability, and quality assurance activities. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and compliance monitoring.Maintain and develop professional working relationships with colleagues, theatres, wards, departments, and external customers. Behave professionally and courteously at all times. Participate in a rotational working system across all areas of the department. Receive, disassemble, clean, inspect, disinfect, assemble, sterilise, pack, and distribute reusable medical devices and flexible endoscopes. Carry out functionality testing on reusable medical devices and equipment. Operate departmental equipment safely and effectively in accordance with departmental procedures and manufacturer instructions. Record all stages of the decontamination and sterilisation process using electronic traceability systems and manual documentation where required. Assess and approve work completed by colleagues where appropriate. Identify, diagnose, and report failures or abnormalities in equipment test results in accordance with ISO 13485, HTMs, Medical Devices Directive (MDD 93/42/EEC), and Health & Safety requirements. Escalate equipment failures, process deviations, and emergencies to Team Leaders, Production Coordinators, or Managers. Participate in departmental and Trust-wide audits and support implementation of service improvements. Assist with Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) activities. Maintain compliance with departmental Quality Management Systems and Health & Safety policies. Report customer complaints, incidents, and non-conformances to the appropriate manager. Mentor, train, and support new or less experienced staff members. Attend mandatory and role-specific training as required. Participate in appraisal, performance reviews, and continuous professional development. Contribute to the Trusts vision, values, and operational objectives.
Person Specification
Education/Training/Qualifications Essential
Able to read and write & understand written and verbal instructions in English Language Ability and willingness to undertake full training for the role of Decontamination Technician Able to demonstrate a degree of common sense
Desirable
Good general education to GCSE level or equivalent
Work Experience Essential
Experience of dealing with demanding situations Understanding of basic hygiene
Desirable
Previous experience as Decontamination Technician/SSD Technician
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Essential
Ability to work under pressure at a fast pace in a physically demanding environment, requiring manual handling Ability to work with hazardous substances Dependable & motivated- able to undertake work methodically with attention to detail and in a timely manner Possess good communication skills (both verbal and written) with a confident and approachable manner when dealing with colleagues & various service users
Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances Essential
Team player with a professional outlook Flexible approach to role Health and physical abilities sufficient for the post (if necessary, with reasonable adjustments with respect to the Equality Act/Disability Discrimination Act) Able to move and handle trays of surgical equipment up to 9 kg with reasonable adjustments High level of personal hygiene
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name North Bristol NHS Trust
Address Southmead Hospital
Southmead Road
Bristol
BS10 5NB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)