Senior Decontamination Technician inPrescot inPrescot PUBLISHED FRI 3 JAN 2025

12 month fixed term/ secondment

The Endoscope Decontamination Units are responsible for the decontamination of all flexible endoscopes used within the Trust. There are Decontamination Units on both St Helens and Whiston sites and the successful candidate may be expected to work at either site.

St Helens has recently opened a brand-new decontamination unit providing state of the art decontamination equipment plus excellent dedicated staff facilities.

A good working knowledge of standards, regulations, and legislation relevant to endoscope decontamination is also required.

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing senior support gained through their previous experience to the decontamination technicians and the delivery of a quality service on a day-to-day operational basis.

The Senior Technician will in turn be supported by the Decontamination Supervisors and the Quality Manager

Previous Endoscope Decontamination experience is essential.

• To undertake the complete cycle of endoscope decontamination
• This includes the visual inspection, manual cleaning, processing in an Endoscope Washer Disinfector (EWD), storing, tracking and tracing and collection and delivery of all flexible scopes used in the Trust.
• To work within the designated area, ensuring that agreed standards are achieved.
• To implement the correct method of decontamination of the endoscopes in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and protocols as issued by the department.
• To safely and correctly use EWD, Drying Cabinets and all other associated equipment as per manufacturers' instructions.

About us

KEY DUTIES

• To undertake the complete cycle of endoscope decontamination
• This includes the visual inspection, manual cleaning, processing in an Endoscope Washer Disinfector (EWD), storing, tracking and tracing and collection and delivery of all flexible scopes used in the Trust.
• To work within the designated area, ensuring that agreed standards are achieved.
• To implement the correct method of decontamination of the endoscopes in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and protocols as issued by the department.
• To safely and correctly use EWD, Drying Cabinets and all other associated equipment as per manufacturers instructions.
• To work within COSHH Regulations in respect of substances used, to ensure that the decontamination technicians comply with departmental procedures for use of PPE and be competent in dealing with spillages of chemicals
• To carry out all relevant daily tests required on endoscopes, washer disinfectors and associated equipment as per departmental protocol and or supervise endoscope technicians undertaking the test where appropriate.
• To have a good understanding of how to deal with any emergency relating to machinery that may occur in the decontamination rooms and to request a repair engineer when necessary
• To ensure all necessary documentation concerning the decontamination of each endoscope (tracking and tracing) is completed effectively and efficiently and in accordance with the departmental procedure (electronic and paper systems)
• Responsible for informing the Line Manager of any non-conformities or deficiencies that may occur in the decontamination
• Maintain department stock to agreed levels by stock checking, rotation of stock and ordering using the Trust electronic system SBS
• To provide information, training and advice gained through experience to the decontamination technicians
• Assess the competency of the decontamination technicians against documented standard operational procedures and maintain records of the competency
• Participate in the effective implementation of service developments relating to decontamination under the direction of the Decontamination Manager
• Establish and maintain effective communication links within the Multi-disciplinary Team and decontamination equipment manufacturer personnel (eg, Service engineers)
• Participate in and undertake Department and Trust wide audits when requested by the Decontamination Manager/ Supervisors and support the introduction of any changes in practice shown to improve standards.
• Support the education and training of all staff within Decontamination and support user department staff on the use and operation of the storage cabinets and the electronic tracking system
• Ensure all equipment used within the department is in safe condition, ready for use when required. Check equipment test results and advise supervisor or manager of any non-conformances (eg final rinse water test results)
• To keep, where necessary, reliable and accurate records relating to decontamination
• To understand service requirements and support departmental workloads.
• Report any faults discovered on individual endoscope operation (failures) to owner departments as appropriate ensuring a record of scopes away for repair is maintained
• Conduct auto-apprenticeship of all new endoscopes (and repaired endoscopes) as required, in line with EWD manufacturers instructions and departmental procedures.
• Participate and support weekend/bank holiday rota to ensure a quality service is maintained.
• Participate in the on-call rota for out of hours endoscope decontamination
• Undertake training and education as required to keep up to date with best practice.
• Act as role model for quality and standards.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to relevant Code of Practice for Decontamination
• Maintain standards of decontamination consistent with current best practice and legislation

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure all records relating to decontamination are completed and maintained as relevant to the post

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Have responsibility for their own personal development by taking part in any training as relevant to their role
• Maintain competency
• Ensure decontamination technicians have adequate training to support their role and maintain competency

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Have some awareness of the Decontamination units budgets and assist in providing a value for money service by ensuring all equipment is used in an appropriate manner and items are not wasted.