Sterile Service Department Supervisor

Job overview

We are looking for a motivated and experienced Sterile Services Supervisor to join our busy and dedicated TSSU team at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

The successful candidate will support the day-to-day operation of the department, ensuring that sterile services activities are carried out safely, efficiently and in accordance with Trust policies, HTM 01-01, quality management systems and relevant regulatory requirements.

You will provide supervision and support to members of the TSSU team, helping to maintain high standards of decontamination, sterilisation, traceability, quality and patient safety. You will also work closely with Theatre and other clinical areas to ensure that surgical instrumentation and equipment are processed and made available in a timely manner.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Sterile Services Technician looking to develop their supervisory skills and take the next step in their career.

Main duties of the job

Supervise and support the day-to-day operation of the TSSU, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to required quality standards.

• Allocate and monitor staff duties, ensuring appropriate staffing, workload distribution and workflow throughout the shift.
• Ensure surgical instruments, reusable medical devices and equipment are processed in accordance with departmental procedures, HTM 01-01, the QMS and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor decontamination, disinfection, inspection, assembly, packing and sterilisation processes, ensuring accurate records and traceability.
• Undertake quality checks and audits, identifying concerns and escalating non-conformances appropriately.
• Support the investigation and management of incidents, complaints, missing instruments, damaged equipment and patient-safety issues.
• Work closely with Theatres and clinical teams to ensure instruments, equipment and procedure sets meet clinical requirements.
• Provide guidance, training and support to staff, including induction and development of new team members.
• Promote teamwork, effective communication, professionalism and patient safety.
• Ensure equipment is used safely and faults are reported promptly.
• Assist with QMS, audits, risk management and continuous improvement, including new processes, equipment and working practices.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Supervise and support the day-to-day activities of the TSSU, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.
• Allocate and monitor staff duties to ensure appropriate staffing and effective workflow throughout the shift.
• Ensure surgical instruments, medical devices and equipment are processed in accordance with departmental procedures, HTM 01-01 and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Monitor decontamination, disinfection, inspection, assembly, packing and sterilisation processes and ensure appropriate records and traceability are maintained.
• Carry out and monitor quality checks and departmental audits, escalating any concerns or non-conformances appropriately.
• Support the investigation and management of incidents, complaints, missing instruments, damaged equipment and other quality issues.
• Work closely with Theatre, clinical teams and other departments to ensure that instrument sets and equipment are available to meet clinical requirements.
• Provide guidance, training and support to TSSU staff and assist with the induction and development of new team members.
• Promote a positive team environment and high standards of professionalism, communication and patient safety.
• Ensure departmental equipment is used safely and that any faults or maintenance requirements are reported promptly.
• Assist the TSSU management team with the implementation and maintenance of the department's Quality Management System and continuous improvement activities.
• Deputise for the TSSU management team when required.