You will undertake decontamination science duties and assist under the supervision of the Decontamination Supervisor in providing a specialised decontamination service for Endoscope medical devices, contributing to the clinical care of the patient. Furthermore, you will carry out the collection, receipt, cleaning, disinfection, packing, and delivering of reusable medical Endoscopes. You will also be required to conduct all tasks in the computerised Healthcare Science Information Systems (tracking and tracing) database.
It is expected that the applicant will possess a good standard of literacy and numeracy, including good basic IT skills. They must have the ability to work effectively using initiative, both within a team and independently, in a fast-paced challenging environment. It is essential that the individual is keen to learn and will receive training in order to work towards achieving the Local Decontamination Standards in place in the Unit and National Decontamination Standards.
As part of the dedicated Endoscopy decontamination team, the post holder will contribute to the services providing patient care, ensuring an efficient and quality service for Endoscopy – Theatre – Women’s Health.
The main elements of the role are decontamination duties under the supervision of the Decontamination Supervisor, including:
1. Collection, receipt, cleaning, disinfection, packing, and delivering of reusable medical Endoscopes.
2. Conducting all tasks in the computerised Health Edge Information Systems (tracking and tracing) database following decontamination guidelines.
3. Maintaining endoscopes and relevant equipment, including the operation of automated endoscope reprocessing equipment.
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching, and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.
All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM, and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential. UHNM creates and encourages a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return, we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by our staff, patients, and carers, that unite us as a Trust.
At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, we know that investing in, supporting, and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.
The post holder will be responsible as part of the decontamination team for the disinfection of all endoscopes in the unit and those from other departments within the Trust. This will involve:
1. Inspection, cleaning, leak testing, preparing scopes for placement in the endoscopic washer disinfector, and completing the tracking and traceability system following strict departmental protocols.
2. Operating washer/drier decontamination machines after having training.
3. Carrying out daily/weekly checks of water/machinery as per unit policy and procedures.
4. Reporting any concerns to the Decontamination Supervisor/Unit Manager relating to standards of cleanliness, hazards, and patient safety within the clinical area.
5. Cleaning and maintaining endoscopic equipment according to Trust, British Society of Gastroenterology, and COSHH regulations and guidelines.
6. Monitoring stock levels for decontamination equipment and reporting to senior staff if stock is low.
7. Ensuring stock is rotated and that ‘out of date stock’ is not used.
8. Adhering to trust and departmental infection control policies and guidelines relating to exposure to blood and body fluids.
9. Demonstrating understanding of COSHH regulations and the importance of using personal protective equipment when dealing with contaminated equipment and chemicals.
10. Demonstrating awareness of and adherence to moving and handling policies and guidance relating to equipment.
11. Acknowledging personal limitations and seeking advice from senior staff members when necessary.
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