Sterile Service Support Assistant - Theatres (Band 2)NHS

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to join our Sterile Service Hub team. We have seventeen theatres over two sites (three hospitals) and perform a wide range of surgery.

The main duties of thepost will involve the collection and delivery of sterile and unsterile / contaminated surgical instruments. Whilst this post is non-patient facing, the role is essential in assisting in our mission to provide most safe and effective surgical care, as such the post holder will be an integral and valued member of our Theatre Team.

The successful applicant must be computer literate and prepared to work independently with support from the Operating Department team members.

Please note that if you are an applicant requiring a Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, the Band 2 Healthcare Assistant role is not eligible for Sponsorship. Although the minimum salary threshold exceeds £25,000 per annum, the updated skills level required mean that the Band 2 is excluded. If you apply for the role and this restriction applies to you, your application would be automatically rejected prior to shortlisting stage.

The information is updated frequently from the Home Office which we must comply with, there are no exceptions to the rules enforced.

Main duties of the job

As a Theatre department assistant, you will be required to ensure all equipment needed for theatre lists is available and, this includes liaising with the theatre teams to check which equipment is needed and communicating with sterile services off site regarding equipment.

The hub sterile service assistant will provide a quality service maintaining the integrity of sterile instruments and items by receiving and checking stock.

To advise theatre staff of issues, to work under minimal supervision when competent. The job also would involve the transfer of equipment between locations.

Good communication skills and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team are essential. All applicants will be expected to possess excellent team working qualities.

Regular reviews will support your progress in-conjunction with online e-learning, and other in-house training and competencies will be set to assess your progress.

Professional:

• To ensure effective communication with colleagues, interdepartmental personnel and Steris Instrument Management Service
• Be cognizant with Steris Instrument Management Service Policies and Procedures
• To respond to or refer enquiries to the appropriate area
• To perform tasks in accordance within agreed protocols

Clinical:

• To contribute the care of patients/clients in respect of infection control and the integrity, storage and stock rotation of instrument sets and supplementary instruments

Job description

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

Professional:

• To ensure effective communication with colleagues, interdepartmental personnel and Steris Instrument Management Service
• Be cognizant with Steris Instrument Management Service Policies and Procedures
• To respond to or refer enquiries to the appropriate area
• To perform tasks in accordance within agreed protocols

Clinical:

• To contribute the care of patients/clients in respect of infection control and the integrity, storage and stock rotation of instrument sets and supplementary instruments

Organisational:

1. To receive, electronically scan and check the instruments from the sterile services provider (Steris).

2. To complete the non-conformant paperwork and report to Steris of any problems by telephone as they are found within the agreed time scale. e.g. damaged tray wraps, missing instruments from trays and any dirty / damaged instruments report by theatre staff.

3. To collect instruments from appropriate areas and departments.

4. To organize own daily work within allocated area(s), this can mean working unsupervised in the absence of designated supervisor/manager.

5. To carry out procedures as per allocation.

6. To work in accordance with agreed operational policies and to propose appropriate policy and service changes which impact within own area.

7. To have complete knowledge and be conversant with Trust policies and procedures.

8. To assist in the cost effective and efficient utilization of hospital and resources, e.g. adhere to strictly to stock control guidelines in respect of fragile packages/instrumentation.

9. To assist in the induction of new staff.

10.To complete timesheets and similar work records legibly and accurately, e.g. to maintain sterilization tracking documents, instrumentation check lists and sterilization expiry labels.

11.To work according to Supervisors instructions and with well established procedures and/or practices.

12.Non arrival of Synergy delivery, contact the processing plant and ascertain when the delivery will arrive. Advise the Theatre Manager, Theatre Coordinator and Hub supervisor of the problem.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTON ATTACHED

About us

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust is a caring and compassionate organisation that is both ambitious and innovative. We are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our patients and providing a positive experience of our staff. We aspire to be outstanding for our patients, our communities and our staff and are committed to being a great place to receive healthcare, work and learn.

Straddling the neighbouring boroughs of Warrington and Halton we are part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care system. Our hospitals are ideally situated to meet the growing healthcare needs of the 330,000 population of these boroughs.

Warrington Hospital is home to our emergency, critical care and maternity services, Halton Hospital is focused on elective procedures and the Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre, although many services are offered at both sites and in community hubs.

A CQC-rated 'good' organisation with 'outstanding' features, we are working towards university hospital status, having achieved teaching hospital status in 2019.

We employ nearly 5,000 people from over 80 nationalities, striving to be a diverse, inclusive employer and recognised leader in equality. We support flexible working, welcoming flexible applications. Proud of our many accreditations, we are embedding an anti-racist approach in all we do.