Decontamination Technician

The post holder will mainly be responsible for the safe sterilisation then disposal of waste produced by the pathology laboratory at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The post holder will be required to work closely with the pathology laboratory staff to compliantly load the sterilisers, safely collect CAT 3 waste from the laboratory whilst being accompanied by laboratory staff, correctly run a steriliser cycle, sign off a successful cycle and escalate any cycle failures appropriately.
Some tasks required within this role are governed by regulations therefore the employee must work in accordance to such regulations and the departments Standard Operating procedures to ensure an effective and compliant service is delivered.
The role within pathology decontamination is restricted due to the run time of the sterilisers, whilst the sterilisers are in operation the post holder will be expected to work in sterile services, Endoscopy decontamination, and theatre logistics., · Main duties will be within the pathology decontamination area and all other areas will be secondary to this role.
· To work in accordance with Departmental & National Policy, Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Management Systems to provide a responsive service.
· Able to demonstrate ability, and apply knowledge and competence to all tasks required to supply and support the provision of pathology, decontamination of endoscopes and theatre instruments respectively; and consequently efficient store management protocols and timely delivery according to customer needs.
· Report untoward incidents, non-conformities and any other relevant information to a senior member of staff using the Trust Incident reporting system.
· Take responsibility for logging and escalating failures of equipment to relevant stake holders and management.
· Responsible for keeping all work areas clean and tidy and maintain a safe, pleasant environment following departmental procedures.
· Ensure that maintenance problems are reported to Estates promptly and liaise with clinical teams accordingly to inform of possible delays., · Attend training courses and partake in any other training strategies (mandatory and non-mandatory) as required to maintain knowledge and skills as required, this may involve overnight stay away from home.
· Participate in own 1:1 meetings and PDP development.
· Support departmental needs to ensure monitoring, maintenance & servicing requirements of endoscopes and theatre instruments are undertaken in a way that offers little service disruption and report accordingly to senior staff
· Ensure routine tests are undertaken and recorded in accordance with the Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedules, Quality Standards and Guidance.
· To adhere to the recommendations for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and risk assessments appropriate to the area.
· Inspect equipment within the decontamination cycle to ensure processes are effective.
· Recognise devices by name and ensure theatre trays endoscopes are repacked correctly with correct instruments ancillary items, responsible for checking loan devices/trays and ensuring the correct items delivered prior to clinical use.
· Attend and participate in departmental meetings.
· Support the development or refreshing standard operating procedures according to service change and modernisation.
· Post holder will come into contact with remnants of blood, body tissue or offensive by-products.

QE Facilities (QEF) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHNT), based in the North East of England.
We provide a range of non- clinical services to GHNT and other NHS organisations. Our services include: estates, facilities services, procurement, medical engineering and devices, endoscopy decontamination and sterile services, transport, out-patient pharmacy, and prevention & management of violence & aggression training (PMVA).
In addition we provide consultancy services, advising clients on all aspects of establishing a subsidiary company within an NHS body to the provision of VAT compliance advice.
QE Facilities work to their own Terms and Conditions and these are not the same as Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Terms and Conditions. This is not an Agenda for Change Pay Rate.
We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement., Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke free organisation in line with Smoke Free Gateshead