Decontamination Assistant (Sterile services)

Haringey GP Federation; Bedford; On-site; GBP 22,000 - GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable NHS Trust in Bedford is seeking a Decontamination Assistant to ensure the decontamination and sterilisation of reusable medical devices. The role includes rotating shifts and weekend cover. Ideal candidates will possess excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of safety and compliance. Join a dedicated team delivering essential services within the healthcare sector. Comprehensive training will be provided, and opportunities for career development exist.

Qualifications

• Excellent English communication skills, written and verbal.
• Good organisational skills required.
• Basic I.T. skills and manual dexterity essential.
• Attention to detail necessary for the role.

Responsibilities

• Carry out the decontamination and sterilisation of reusable medical devices.
• Conduct independent checks of instrument trays.
• Maintain understanding of the inspection and testing points of instruments.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Good organisational skills

Manual dexterity

Attention to detail

Basic I.T skills

Job description

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Decontamination Assistant (Sterile services)

The closing date is 20 February 2026

Please note applicants that have applied for this post in the last 6 months need not re-apply.

As a Decontamination Assistant, you will work as part of a dedicated team to carry out the decontamination and sterilisation of reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, in accordance with ISO-accredited policies, procedures and departmental work instructions.

You will play a key role in delivering all decontamination-related duties within the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscope Decontamination Unit at Bedford Hospital. The post holder will be expected to follow departmental work instructions and adhere to ISO-accredited policies and procedures across all areas of Sterile Services and the Endoscope Decontamination Unit.

The successful candidate will be committed to providing a safe and compliant decontamination service to all customers and stakeholders. You will be highly motivated, flexible with working hours and shift patterns (including weekends), and willing to undertake all required training for the role.

At Bedford Hospital, our priority is to deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients -- the standard of care we would want for our loved ones and ourselves. We strive to be the best place to work, with the right staff in the right roles to ensure exceptional patient care and experience.

This is a full-time position working on a three-week rotating shift pattern: Early 7.30-15.30, Middle 10.30-18.30 and Late 14.00-22.00. The role also includes working every sixth weekend (Saturday 12:00-20:00) and Sunday on-call cover.

Main duties of the job

The Decontamination Service at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust comprises the Sterile Services Department and the Endoscopy Decontamination Unit. Both areas are responsible for supplying sterile and disinfected reusable medical devices to wards, departments and theatres across the Trust. This work includes the collection, decontamination, preparation, packing, sterilisation or disinfection, and distribution of reusable medical devices.

Key duties include:

• Receiving, sorting and preparing reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, for cleaning and disinfection.
• Inspecting, re-assembling, function-testing, packaging, sealing and labelling devices that have been successfully washed, disinfected and dried.
• Conducting independent checks of instrument trays prepared by others, ensuring all contents are correct and reporting any discrepancies.
• Maintaining an understanding of the basic types and categories of instruments and flexible scopes, recognising their functions and identifying key inspection and testing points.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We recruit based on qualifications and experience and on behaviours that underpin our Trust core values. We are committed to equality and diversity and to creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job description & responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this vacancy; please review them for full details and responsibilities.

Key duties

• Inspecting instruments and equipment on receipt into the decontamination area and at various stages of production, storage and distribution, and reporting any damaged or missing items or components.
• Dismantling and assembling instrumentation in line with manufacturers recommendations following the cleaning and disinfection process.
• Ensuring all packaging, wrapping and labelling of instrument sets and supplementary items is completed in accordance with legislation, guidance and service requirements.
• Maintaining an understanding of the different sterilisation and disinfection methods used, and recognising the importance of product liability in relation to the reuse of medical devices.
• Carrying out quality checks to confirm that devices have been correctly decontaminated and are safe for patient use.
• Taking appropriate action if there is any doubt about the effectiveness of the decontamination process, and reporting or documenting any failures to the Decontamination Services Manager.
• Verifying process and cycle data before accepting and releasing products.
• Using the correct wrapping materials and packing methods to minimise damage.
• Following the correct procedures for managing nonconforming devices and sundries in the event of a failed washer, disinfector or steriliser cycle, ensuring such items are not used in any surgical procedure.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Excellent English - communication skills, written and verbal

Experience

Desirable

• Previous experience in a Healthcare Environment

Knowledge

Essential

• Good Organisational Skills
• Basic I.T Skills
• Manual Dexterity
• Attention to Details

Desirable

• Knowledge of Quality Management System - ISO 13485 / ISO9001

Personal Skills

Essential

• Good Timekeeper, changed as per policy and commence shift as indicated
• Ability to stand for lengthy periods of time
• Team focussed
• Reliable, Adaptable and Dependable
• Willing to undertake training as required
• Proactive approach and participation in the Quality Management System
• Ability to be Self directional

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/