About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Head of Decontamination and Sterile Services to lead and develop the Trust’s Sterile Services Department and wider decontamination governance. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient decontamination, sterilisation, and reprocessing of medical devices used across theatres, clinics, and diagnostic areas.
You will be the Trust’s specialist lead on decontamination, providing strategic direction, operational leadership, and assurance that all activity across multiple sites meets stringent regulatory and NHS standards.
This is a temporary to permanent role via Gap Personnel
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage the Sterile Services / Decontamination Department, ensuring safe and effective reprocessing of medical devices.
* Ensure full compliance with regulations and standards including HTM 01‑01, MHRA requirements, CQC expectations, and ISO 13485.
* Maintain validation, audit programmes, equipment testing, documentation, and quality management systems.
* Lead on the planning and delivery of decontamination services during service changes, refurbishments, and capital equipment upgrades.
* Work collaboratively with theatres, endoscopy, outpatient departments, procurement, infection prevention, and estates.
* Manage staff performance, training, workforce planning, and competency frameworks.
* Oversee contract management for maintenance, service providers, consumables, and equipment replacement.
* Provide expert advice during incident investigations, risk assessments, and regulatory inspections.
* Drive continuous improvement, service modernisation, and patient safety initiatives.
Requirements
* Significant experience in decontamination or sterile services management, ideally within the NHS or a large healthcare setting.
* Strong working knowledge of HTM 01‑01, sterile services processes, validation requirements, and decontamination legislation.
* Leadership experience with the ability to motivate and develop multidisciplinary teams.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
* Qualifications in decontamination/sterile services (e.g., IDSc, NVQ/QCF Level 3 or above, or equivalent management qualification).
* Understanding of quality systems, audit processes, and regulatory compliance.
What We Offer
* Opportunity to lead a critical safety service within a major NHS Trust.
* Professional development and leadership training pathways.
* Supportive and collaborative working environment.
* Competitive salary and NHS benefits package.
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