Sterile Service Trust Decontamination Lead
Working behind the scenes of the hospital, there is a team of driven and meticulous individuals ensuring that all reusable surgical instrumentation is processed in line with current legislation ready to use in the next procedure.
In this environment safety is paramount, and the role demands a high level of competence and assured accountability. The team works following the ethos 'It might be my relative on that operating table', and so understandably strives to give their best all the time. The service follows a stringent structure through the wash room to the controlled clean room packing, sterilisation and to storage.
You will manage the sterile service team, including a Deputy Manager, two Assistant Managers, Team Leaders and technicians, overseeing a 24/7 service split into three shifts. Your team will provide sterile services for both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, supported by dedicated drivers operating Trust-owned logistics vehicles between the sites. A major aspect of your role involves ensuring continuous testing, maintenance, and documentation of all equipment and tools to uphold the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will lead and manage all aspects of the Decontamination Service throughout the Trust and undertake the role of decontamination Lead.
The post holder will be professionally accountable as Trust Decontamination Lead and HSDU manager for ensuring the delivery of decontamination services throughout the Trust, providing leadership and technical expertise for all aspects of decontamination of reusable medical devices across the Trust. They will be the line manager responsible for the HSDU (Sterile Services Unit), ensuring effective and safe operational delivery, compliance with national guidance (including HTM 01-01 and related standards), and maintenance of quality assurance systems. The post holder will provide assurance to the Board, Divisional Triumvirates, and Infection Prevention and Control Committee on all decontamination matters, ensuring that standards of patient safety, quality, and regulatory compliance are consistently achieved. To take the lead role in the development and co‑ordination of Trust-wide strategies, policies, standards and practices; this will include ensuring the Trust remains up to date with all areas of disinfection and sterilisation of all reusable medical devices including endoscopes.
Job responsibilities
Strategic & Professional Leadership
Act as the Trust Decontamination Lead (appointed by the Chief Executive via the DIPC, although line managed through the divisional structure of Estates and Facilities).
Provide expert advice on decontamination to the Board, Infection Prevention and Control Committee, and clinical/operational services.
Ensure Trust compliance with Department of Health, MHRA, Care Quality Commission, ISO and HTM requirements for decontamination.
Develop, implement and monitor Trust-wide policies and procedures for decontamination.
Maintain professional knowledge of evolving standards, legislation, and best practice in decontamination.
Prepare and present an annual report on decontamination compliance to the DIPC/Trust Board.
Ensuring that the department is compliant with accrediting and regulating agencies, that formal agreements are in place as required and monitored.
Operational Management HSDU
Provide line management for all staff within the HSDU, including workforce planning, recruitment, appraisal, training, and professional development.
Ensure effective operational delivery of sterile services, meeting turnaround, safety and quality requirements for clinical users.
Maintain compliance with ISO 13485, ISO 9001, MHRA regulations, and other external accreditation/audit requirements.
Ensure all HSDU staff receive ongoing competency-based training in line with national requirements.
Monitor and manage HSDU budgets, resources, and equipment replacement programmes within delegated authority.
Provide professional assurance and governance oversight of endoscope decontamination facilities within the Trust, even where direct line management sits with clinical divisions.
Ensure compliance with HTM 01-06, JAG standards, and the Joint Advisory Group audit (JAQ).
Lead or contribute to audits, policies, and risk assessments for endoscope decontamination.
Work closely with Estates and Authorised Persons (Decontamination) to ensure validation, water quality, ventilation, and engineering support for decontamination services meet national requirements.
Attend and contribute to relevant governance meetings with Estates, Authorising Engineers, and external auditors.
Quality, Safety & Governance
Ensure robust quality management systems are in place across HSDU and decontamination processes, including audit, incident reporting, and corrective action.
Lead investigations into incidents, complaints or failures in sterile services, ensuring lessons learned are embedded.
Work closely with the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Team, Estates, and relevant clinical services to manage risks related to decontamination.
Ensure all decontamination practices meet statutory, regulatory, and professional standards.
Business Continuity & Emergency Planning
Lead the development and implementation of business continuity and major incident plans for decontamination services.
Ensure contingency arrangements are in place for equipment failure, capacity shortages, or emergencies (e.g. pandemic surge).
Participate in Trust emergency planning exercises where decontamination services are involved.
Service development
Lead continuous improvement of decontamination and sterile service processes to enhance safety, quality, and efficiency.
Contribute to business cases for service development and capital investment in decontamination equipment or facilities.
Engage with regional and national networks to benchmark practice and introduce innovation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Degree or equivalent in a relevant scientific/technical discipline.
* Formal decontamination qualification (e.g. Institute of Decontamination Sciences) or equivalent knowledge/experience.
* Certificate in NHS Management.
Knowledge & Experience
* Senior management experience within sterile services or decontamination.
* Demonstrable track record of delivering compliance with HTM 01-01, HTM 01-06 and other standards.
* Experience of leading and developing teams.
* Experience of quality management systems and external audit (ISO, UKAS, MHRA).
* Experience of business continuity and risk management in a healthcare setting.
* Expert technical knowledge of decontamination processes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
* Experience of participation in regular clinical audit.
* Financial and resource management skills.
* Ability to analyse complex technical information and translate into clear operational policy.
* Previous experience of research.
* Record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
* Evidence of conducting audit which has translated into quality improvement.
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.
Salary
£66,582 to £77,368 a year, Per annum, Pro Rata.
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