Please note that this post is part of One LSC – a corporate collaboration hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and providing Estates and Facilities Services to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
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 for 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 follows the ethos “It might be my relative on that operating table”, and so strives to give its best all the time.
The successful candidate will lead and manage all aspects of the Decontamination Service throughout the Trust and undertake the role of Decontamination Lead.
Key responsibilities
* 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.
* Provide sterile services for both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley & South Ribble Hospital.
* Ensure continuous testing, maintenance and documentation of all equipment and tools to uphold the highest standards of quality and compliance.
* Serve as the Trust Decontamination Lead and HSDU manager, ensuring delivery of decontamination services throughout the Trust.
* Provide leadership and technical expertise for all aspects of decontamination of reusable medical devices across the Trust.
* Represent the Board, Divisional Triumvirates and Infection Prevention and Control Committee on all decontamination matters.
Strategic & Professional Leadership
* Act as the Trust Decontamination Lead (appointed by the Chief Executive via the DIPC).
* 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.
* Ensure 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.
Endoscopy Decontamination Governance
* 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.
Estates / Engineering Collaboration
* 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 Trust’s 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.
* 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.
Try as we might, we just cannot cram everything into one advert, so we really encourage you to get in touch to find out more. Lee Taylor, Assistant Director of Estates welcomes you to contact him to arrange to come and visit or have an informal chat at lee.taylor@lthtr.nhs.uk.
Advert closes on Thursday 14 May 2026.
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