Job summary

Job Purpose:

To Line Manage section leads and production technicians in all functions within the Decontamination process, to ensure the Team objectives are achieved in providing Surgical Instruments and Medical Equipment for use in Operating Theatres, Clinics, Wards and the Community. Working within broad organisational parameters.

Liaison with service users to aid the provision of a high quality and responsive service

To participate in the provision of a specialised decontamination of medical devices service contributing to the wellbeing and clinical care of the patient.

To ensure Departmental Standard Operating Procedures are adhered to by all Decontamination staff in accordance with the Regulatory HTM1-01-06 and , Quality Management Systems iso 13485 and EU Standards.

To control the standards within the SDU Department and other Trust Departments as required. Liaison with service users to aid the provision of a high quality service.

12 month secondment with the possibility to becoming permanent.

Main duties of the job

1. To have Knowledge and Experience in the Decontamination of reusable medical devices, surgical instruments and Flexible Endoscopes.

2. To Supervise the reprocessing of reusable medical devices: disassembly, cleaning, disinfection, checking, assembly, sterilization, despatch and tracking in a controlled environment.

3. To operate decontamination equipment and carry out routine tests in accordance with Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedules, Quality Standards and Guidance.

4. To assist the Production Managers in implementing plans to keep within the operational budget.

5. Maintain decontamination, sterilisation and maintenance of in excess of 500 sets and 1000 single instruments daily, including specialist equipment such as endoscopes and probes.

6. To assist in agreeing audit plans and supervising and taking part in internal audits

7. Controlling Flexible Endoscope reprocessing and ensuring best practice and optimum service is adhered to.

8. Able to work accurately under pressure

9. To monitor all routine testing of decontamination equipment and machinery

***Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

Available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity. (With current line manager's agreement). Secondment with the possibility of becoming permanent***

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities

Day to Day Supervision, line management and leadership of a team of up to 40 Technicians

To communicate, or receive in writing, and verbally and electronically communicate with other members of Staff and Management information on complex and sensitive information concerning surgical instruments or flexible endoscopes to ensure correct motivation of staff to provide expected standard of service

To assist in receiving Customer requests and progressing high priority items

Ability to complete the Unit Induction Programme and conduct the initial training of New Staff in aspects of Decontamination and Sterilisation

Completes the planning and organising for Training of staff in the Unit in systems, manual handling, health and safety and new equipment.

Communicates with Theatres and other Departments when necessary to inform them of the status of their requirements

Answer professionally and concisely all customer questions regarding services, technical queries and be able to respond to questions regarding legislation in the decontamination process of surgical instruments

To inform effectively both verbally and at any shift hand-over as required

To attend and actively participate in Departmental meetings required of them

To undertake duties in line with the Trusts Information Security and Control Policy, respecting the rights of Patients, fellow staff and the Trust for information not passed on or made available to those without the need to know.

Person Specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience and proven knowledge required of Surgical Instruments and Endoscopes and of the necessary Decontamination procedures
• Demonstrable experience in all sections of the decontamination department
• Understands the concept and management of urgent or priority medical devices and Non-conformances

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience in Assembly methods or Manufacturing
• Proven knowledge of NHS procurement

Qualifications

Essential

• Foundation Degree in Decontamination of Medical Devices or equivalent demonstrable experience in Decontamination
• Decontamination City and Guilds Certificate
• Educated to GCSE Standard in English and Maths and a science subject (Grade A-C/ 4-9) or equivalent standard
• Must have excellent administrative and numerate skills
• Member of the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSC) or intending to apply for membership
• Completed Risk Assessment training
• Management Qualification at Level 3 or above

Desirable

• COSHH risk assessment certificate
• Member of the Central Sterilisation Club

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate clarity and understanding
• Able to demonstrate the ability to work to strict standards of Quality and Safety standards

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience in a demand and supply, customer based environment

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: SDU Derriford Hospital UHP Level 5, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:
Production Manager
Mike Oliver
moliver1@nhs.net
01752245164

Details

Date posted: 28 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Per Annum - Unsocial hours as per agenda for change.
Contract: Secondment
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-EG-DB8266859
Job locations: SDU Derriford Hospital UHP Level 5, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom

Supporting documents

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