Sterile Services Technical Assistant

Sterile Services Technical Assistant

The closing date is 11 February 2026

The individual in this position will play a vital role within the decontamination unit, assisting the team in executing comprehensive decontamination procedures for both the trust and community service users. This will involve strict adherence to local policies and work instructions, as well as compliance with the ISO 13485:2016 standards for Medical Device, ensuring that the quality system of the department is rigorously maintained.

Main duties of the job

• Dismantle, clean, assemble and package surgical instruments in compliance with ISO 13485:2016.
• Communicate with service users on a daily basis in a clear and constructive manner.
• Effectively utilise the Fingerprint Tracking and Traceability System.
• Ensure proper functioning of all major departmental equipment, including washer disinfectors and sterilisers.
• Deliver medical devices to service users in a clean and sterile condition.
• Adhere to quality standards.
• Take on board training deemed necessary to attain/maintain competency including trust mandatory training.

About us

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford. Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers. Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System. As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we're reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website. At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

The individual in this position will play a vital role within the decontamination unit, assisting the team in executing comprehensive decontamination procedures for both the trust and community service users. This will involve strict adherence to local policies and work instructions, as well as compliance with the ISO 13485:2016 standards for Medical Device, ensuring that the quality system of the department is rigorously maintained.

Service Delivery

• You will play a vital role in the team by ensuring the supply of sterile instruments and kits to twelve theatres, along with outpatient departments and external service users.
• To comply with all local policies and standards.
• Communicate effectively with the SSD team and liaise with service users.

Additional duties include sorting, verifying, and managing used surgical instruments and other items with the aid of the correct machinery. The process involves the assembly, packaging, and labeling of instrument sets and other items in compliance with ISO 13485:2016 standards. Develop an understanding of surgical instruments and their applications and demonstrate the ability to disassemble and reassemble instruments for surgical procedures. Verify that quality standards are upheld and that products are suitable for their intended use. To comprehend and effectively utilise the Fingerprint Tracking and Traceability System. Despatch sterile packs and trays to departments and wards as required.

• Grasp the principles of stock management and the importance of expiry dates.
• Guarantee that products provided to service users are delivered in a clean and sterile condition.
• Ensure proper functioning of major departmental equipment, including washer disinfectors, transfer hatches, and sterilisers, operating according to the specified work instructions.

To undertake porter duties and the delivery of equipment being processed as instructed.

• Engaging in the necessary training to develop and uphold competency, including mandatory training associated with the trust.

Governance

Ensure compliance with Trust policies and guidelines for self and others, by taking action or alerting the senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy. Ensure COSHH regulations are adhered to. Maintain working knowledge and application of ISO 13485:2016. Ensure that tracking and traceability processes are always followed, resolving discrepancies and reporting unresolved issues to the Senior Decontamination Technician. Establish and maintain effective communication, maintain confidentiality of information, and ensure the efficient use of resources. Maintain a healthy, safe, and secure working environment, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, maintain accurate documentation, and report concerns. Take responsibility for own learning and development and participate in Motiv8/Appraisal. Undertake training to attain/maintain competency, including trust mandatory training. This job description is an outline of the role and function and is not intended to describe all specific tasks. Support the Trust's commitment to continuous improvement by making everyday improvements as part of your job using Improvement Matters, the Trust's single continuous improvement approach. Role model the behaviours of an improver: curiosity, humility, compassion, reflective practice, open-mindedness to try new ideas, self-discipline. Take personal responsibility for contributing to a culture that promotes learning and supports colleagues to embrace change. Coach and enable others to innovate and make improvements using Improvement Matters as the Trust's single improvement approach. All staff at MCHFT have a responsibility to: Maintain active registration status; act in accordance with professional codes of conduct and guiding documents; maintain up-to-date skills and knowledge; maintain awareness of patient-led service issues; maintain a professional/personal portfolio; adhere to Trust policy, procedures, and guidelines; adhere to Trust values, standards of behaviour and expected performance; comply with Infection Prevention and Control policies; report health and safety risks; participate in data collection on treatment efficacy where applicable; managers should undertake the online IOSH Managing Safely course as required. The Trust aims to provide equity of services across seven days; some weekend working may be required.

Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• GCSEs in Maths, English and Science at Grade C or above.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of medical devices.
• Experience using a tracking and traceability system.
• Experience in a team or quality-led production environment.
• Knowledge of ISO 13485:2016.
• Knowledge of HTMs 01-01.

SKILLS

• Self-motivated with good communication skills and a good standard of written and spoken English.
• Ability to retain information and cope with frequent change; dexterity.
• The ability to prioritise own workload.
• Experience of working to timeframes.
• Willingness to train in all processes of the department.
• Ongoing training with medical device and decontamination processes.

VALUES

• A commitment to quality and safety.
• A recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues.
• A listening, learning and leading approach.
• A commitment to work together to create the best outcomes.
• Must demonstrate the Trust's values around raising concerns at work and how to treat others who raise concerns.

BEHAVIOURS

• Must be willing to act as a role model.
• Must be willing to take personal responsibility.
• Must have the courage to speak up.
• Must value and appreciate the worth of others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Occupational Health clearance to perform the duties of the role.
• Ability to perform a wide range of duties according to the Job Description.
• Able to work while standing for prolonged periods.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust