Decontamination Assistant (Sterile services)

Job overview

As a Decontamination Assistant, you will work as part of a dedicated team to carry out the decontamination and sterilisation of reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, in accordance with ISO‑accredited policies, procedures and departmental work instructions.

You will play a key role in delivering all decontamination‑related duties within the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscope Decontamination Unit at Bedford Hospital. The post holder will be expected to follow departmental work instructions and adhere to ISO‑accredited policies and procedures across all areas of Sterile Services and the Endoscope Decontamination Unit.

The successful candidate will be committed to providing a safe and compliant decontamination service to all customers and stakeholders. You will be highly motivated, flexible with working hours and shift patterns (including weekends), and willing to undertake all required training for the role.

At Bedford Hospital, our priority is to deliver safe, high‑quality care to our patients — the standard of care we would want for our loved ones and ourselves. We strive to be the best place to work, with the right staff in the right roles to ensure exceptional patient care and experience.

This is a full‑time position, working Tuesday to Friday from 14:00 to 22:00, and Saturday from 12:00 to 20:00.

Main duties of the job

The Decontamination Service at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust comprises the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscopy Decontamination Unit. Both areas are responsible for supplying sterile and disinfected reusable medical devices to wards, departments and theatres across the Trust. This work includes the collection, decontamination, preparation, packing, sterilisation or disinfection, and distribution of reusable medical devices.

Key duties include:

• Receiving, sorting and preparing reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, for cleaning and disinfection.
• Inspecting, re‑assembling, function‑testing, packaging, sealing and labelling devices that have been successfully washed, disinfected and dried.
• Conducting independent checks of instrument trays prepared by others, ensuring all contents are correct and reporting any discrepancies.
• Maintaining an understanding of the basic types and categories of instruments and flexible scopes, recognising their functions and identifying key inspection and testing points.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this vacancy; please review them for full details and responsibilities.

Key duties include:

• Inspecting instruments and equipment on receipt into the decontamination area and at various stages of production, storage and distribution, and immediately reporting any damaged or missing items or components.
• Dismantling and assembling instrumentation in line with manufacturers’ recommendations following the cleaning and disinfection process.
• Ensuring all packaging, wrapping and labelling of instrument sets and supplementary items is completed in accordance with legislation, guidance and service requirements.
• Maintaining an understanding of the different sterilisation and disinfection methods used, and recognising the importance of product liability in relation to the re‑use of medical devices.
• Carrying out quality checks to confirm that devices have been correctly decontaminated and are safe for patient use.
• Taking appropriate action if there is any doubt about the effectiveness of the decontamination process, and reporting or documenting any failures to the Decontamination Services Manager.
• Verifying process and cycle data before accepting and releasing products.
• Using the correct wrapping materials and packing methods to minimise damage.
• Following the correct procedures for managing non‑conforming devices and sundries in the event of a failed washer, disinfector or steriliser cycle, ensuring such items are not used in any surgical procedure.