Theatre Sterile Services Technician

Job overview

The Theatre Unit at RJAH comprises of 12 Theatres; 10 are located in the main theatre unit and 2 in our ‘Menzies’ unit, alongside a Recovery unit, a HDU and an on-site TSSU. We cover a wide spectrum of primarily elective Orthopaedic surgery including, but not exclusively, Revision & Primary Arthroplasty, Upper limb, Lower Limb, Sports Injuries, Spines, Tumour and Paediatrics.

We are looking for individuals to join the team at our onsite Sterile Services Unit. The successful applicant will work alongside all members of the Theatre team and will be responsible for the cleaning, processing and sterilisation of theatre instruments.

Various weekly hours are available,

Working week comprises of varying shifts - Monday-Friday 0700-1500, 0900-1700, 1100-1900 & (1400-2200 with on-call as rostered).  Saturday 0700-1500, 0900-1700 & 1100-1900.  Saturday & Sunday on-call as required/rostered.

Evening shifts and weekends attract enhancement payment for hours worked.

There is also opportunity for appointed candidates to join TSSU Bank for additional shifts when available, pending completed training.

Under current Home Office Immigration Rules, this role does not meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria and the position is not therefore eligible for skilled worker sponsorship. Applications from candidates that require skilled worker sponsorship will NOT be shortlisted.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will act as a member of the TSSU team.  Will be responsible for ensuring safe, high quality standards are maintained throughout the decontamination process, utilizing all available resources to optimum effect including the promotion of good relationships, communication and team work within the TSSU unit and the wider multi disciplinary team within the trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Works under supervision in a specialist Orthopaedic TSSU, carrying out the decontamination and processing of all surgical instrumentation used within the trust. Works unsupervised managing own workload at night and on call.
• Demonstrate a level of communication and relationship skills to promote and maintain effective liaison between TSSU and Theatre (both nursing and medical) and other wards/departments serviced by the TSSU.
• Support the TSSU Supervisor and Manager in the effective and efficient  running of the department.
• Ensure own Health and Safety requirements are met, reporting all  incidents/accidents near misses to TSSU Manager or supervisor.
• To maintain an understanding of and adhere to all Trust and Unit policies and procedures, ensuring own mandatory training is completed annually as required (manual handling/CPR/fire).

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To act as a mentor for new members of staff as necessary, once they themselves have completed the in-house training programme.
• Ensure Trust policies and procedures are met in relation to personal responsibilities and maintaining confidentiality where necessary.
• Participate in the prioritisation of instrumentation in the event of an untoward incident/non-conformance in Theatre, resulting in the need for fast tracking these sets (including evaluating an approximate throughput time) through the decontamination process to minimise anaesthetic time for patients.
• Ensure operating instrumentation is in good working order. Identify damaged instruments, sending instrumentation for repair whilst documenting any tray non-conformance and filling in the appropriate forms to alert the Theatre staff, informing the TSSU Supervisor or Manager of any trays/instruments needing to be taken out of action or implants needing re-stocking.
• Ensure all traceability documentation, electronic or hand written, is completed for their area of work within the unit during a shift. Basic computer skills required.
• Routine morning checks for washers/disinfectors, autoclaves, ultrasonic and heat sealers as per department policies.
• To maintain knowledge of instrumentation including participation in in-house training for new equipment carried out by company representatives.
• Keep TSSU Supervisor or Manager informed of departmental changes which may affect the smooth running of the department.
• Responsible for ensuring usage of autoclaves and washers/disinfectors with policy, including daily testing and reporting of breakdowns to supervisor, TSSU Manager and maintenance staff directly.
• Responsible for sterilising and storage and despatching of instrument trays and sterile stock, maintaining the store room in a neat and tidy order.
• Responsible for receiving dirty instruments into wash room – liasing with Theatre staff regarding any non-compliance of instruments or power tools.
• Responsible for cleaning, checking, inspecting and assembly of instruments and instrument trays.
• Responsible for cleaning, checking and general servicing of power tools and other specialised equipment.
• Remove clinical rubbish bags as necessary, replacing with clean ones.
• Maintain department in a clean and tidy order.
• To update and maintain tray lists written and electronically.
• Required to participate in internal rotation (day and night staff) on a rotational basis and provide an on-call service for the department.
• Work unsupervised during the mid-night shift, prioritising emergency trays and trays required for the morning list.