Decontamination Technician EndoscopyNHS

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join an established decontamination team in Endoscopy. This role requires a dynamic team player who can work on own initiative and works well in a team environment. A comprehensive training package will be provided and you will be fully supported. If you would like to learn new skills and have a willingness to learn then this job is for you.

Main duties of the job

The decontamination technician role is to provide a service to endoscopy, urology and theatres by providing endoscopes when required. You will be expected to provide the services with decontaminated scopes for the lists, collect the contaminated scopes and decontaminate them in the decontamination facility. You would then either return them to the services or store them in the cabinets provided until next required. You will ensure the decontamination facility is clean, tidy, deal with stock and storage, send and receive scopes for or from repair, use a track and traceability system and any other maintenance issues in the decontamination facility. Part of your job role will be to provide scopes for out of hours procedures so you will be expected to be part of the on call rota.

Job description

Key Duties:

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To comply with all Trust Policies and Procedures to maintain a safe working environment for patients and staff.

To work as part of the decontamination team within the Endoscopy Unit.

To report any untoward incidents and complaints.

To act always in a manner which promotes positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the Trust.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES

To work as part of the team within the decontamination area of the Endoscopy Unit, ensuring that scopes are available for procedures

To be competent in the decontamination and disinfection of endoscopes and accessories, including the safe handling, storage and traceability of flexible endoscopes in line with BSG guidelines and company policies.

To be competent in the use of endoscopy equipment including AERS and drying cabinets

To ensure the departments documented tracking and traceability system requirements and procedures are followed throughout the department.

To have a basic understanding /knowledge of endoscopic procedures

To document all loan and return of endoscopes.

To read and document all water tests, weekly or daily.

To be capable of working alone and unsupervised but ensure documented operational procedures are adhered to.

To work under supervision but with a need to concentrate at all times.

To be able to respond to urgent requests for priority equipment processing from registered nurse or other senior team members on a daily basis.

To ensure PPE is worn in decontamination area as specified in Trust policy.

To adhere to the requirements of working within a controlled environment.

To be fully understanding of COSHH regulations, especially with regard to hazardous cleaning chemicals.

To be responsible for approving loads after decontamination cycles are complete by carrying out various quality checks to ensure instruments are safely decontaminated before use.

To ensure production areas are stocked up and stock levels maintained.

To participate in the cleaning and maintenance of all the work areas to ensure high standards of cleanliness are achieved

To respond appropriately to clinical emergencies.

To participate in an out of hours on call rota for emergency inpatients to provide scopes.

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

Communication regarding decontamination area with Nurse in Charge any issues or delays in the processing of the scopes.

Report any issues to the Estates / appropriate Company regarding issues with decontamination machines or endoscopes, ensuring the Unit Manager and / or Nurse in Charge is aware.

Relationship with both staff and patients should be discreet, bearing in mind that all information regarding patients must be kept confidential.

Report to the nurse in charge of the ward / department matters of concern relating to patients and the ward / department environment.

Ensure that any issues that may affect the running of the lists in endoscopy relating to decontamination are escalated to the nurse in charge.

Answer the telephone, refer to the appropriate person.

Be aware of the need to greet visitors to the ward / department and ascertain the purpose of their visit.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of health and safety at work in order to maintain a safe environment.

To attend ward / departmental meetings as appropriate.

Participate in the out of hours on call rota to provide scopes

CLERICAL DUTIES

Undertake a range of clerical duties, this may involve:

Accurate records relating to the decontamination machine and endoscopes.

Reception / telephone duties.

Basic computer skills.

Stock control.

Prepare notes - using both electronic and manual systems.

To file reports, correspondence, forms etc. as required.

CLEANING

Maintain cleanliness and tidiness of area and equipment as instructed.

Ensure that policies ad procedures are followed with regard to cleaning of the endoscopes

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Decontamination Technician will be expected to attend the ENDO 1 course and completed decontamination competencies.

All staff are required to work across all Trust Sites to support the Endoscopy Service.

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest

Ensuring people feel cared for

Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs

Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.