Job Description

1 x 37.5 hours & 1 x 30 hour post. F ixed Term/Secondment for 6 months



Applications are invited from enthusiastic, hardworking, self-motivated and committed individuals for the above position. Candidates must have a pleasant and courteous disposition and a flexible attitude towards the demands of this post.



The Central Endoscope Decontamination Unit is 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 will be expected to work at either site. The decontamination process includes manual cleaning, use of Automatic Endoscope Re-processors, storage, tracking and tracing of scopes, and delivery to point of use.



The ideal candidate should be able to work as part of a team, use own initiative and be able to meet deadlines and work with all disciplines of staff.



Previous decontamination experience would be an advantage but the successful candidates will be given full training to support their role.



Working hours will be dictated by the needs of the service therefore applicants should have some flexibility in when they are available to work.



The successful candidates will take part in the on call service for out of hour's endoscope decontamination (week nights and weekends).



Please note, this vacancy may close early, should a sufficient number of applications be received.



To undertake the complete cycle of endoscope decontamination



This includes the visual inspection, manual cleaning, processing in an automatic endoscope reprocessor, 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 use Endoscope Washer Disinfector (EWD) safely and correctly, Drying Cabinets and all other associated equipment as per manufacturers' instructions.



To work within COSHH Regulations in respect of substances used, comply with departmental procedures for use of PPE and be competent in dealing with spillages of chemicals



To assist with all relevant tests required on endoscopes, washer disinfectors and associated equipment as per departmental protocol.



To understand how to escalate any problems or emergency relating to decontamination equipment to the supervisor or manager



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)



Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.



We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our services:

Acute Care



Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.



Primary Care



Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.



Community Services



Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.



Specialist Regional Services



We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018

Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)

National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme



KEY DUTIES



To undertake the complete cycle of endoscope decontamination



This includes the visual inspection, manual cleaning, processing in an automatic endoscope reprocessor, 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 use Endoscope Washer Disinfector (EWD) safely and correctly, Drying Cabinets and all other associated equipment as per manufacturers' instructions



To work within COSHH Regulations in respect of substances used, comply with departmental procedures for use of PPE and be competent in dealing with spillages of chemicals



To assist with all relevant tests required on endoscopes, washer disinfectors and associated equipment as per departmental protocol



To understand how to escalate any problems or emergency relating to decontamination equipment to the supervisor or manager



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



Understand any non-conformities or deficiencies that may occur in the decontamination process and inform the line manager of such



Establish and maintain effective communication links within the Multi-disciplinary Team



Participate in 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



To keep, where necessary, reliable and accurate records relating to decontamination



To support departmental workloads by taking part in a flexible rota



Report any faults discovered on individual endoscope operation (failures) to supervisor or senior technician



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



Follow direction from the supervisor/ senior technician but be able to work alone and use own initiative as required and where appropriate



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



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.