Important Job Application Information
Thank you for your interest in NHS Tayside vacancies
Please see below Job Description/Specification and General Conditions of Service
Your Application Form must be completed in full. Please note copies of Curriculum Vitae,
Qualifications and Course Certificates will not be accepted at this stage.
Please return your completed Application Form to recruitment.tayside@nhs.net (quoting
the vacancy reference number in the subject box) or to the postal address given on the
General Conditions of Service.
All completed applications are held in Human Resources until the closing date. After the
closing date a panel will meet to prepare an interview shortlist. Once this decision has
been made, all shortlisted applicants will be emailed to invite them to attend for interview.
It is important that you check your emails regularly.
This process takes approximately 6 weeks. Therefore, if you have not been contacted
regarding interview within 6 weeks of the closing date, your application has been
unsuccessful and you will receive no further correspondence from Human Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Find out more about living and working in Tayside at:
www.dundeecity.gov.uk
www.angus.gov.uk
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Sterile Services Department, Ninewells Hospital
Assistant Technical Officer (ATO), Band 2
Salary Scale: £14,653 - £17,425 per annum
You will be responsible for the re-processing of Medical Devices within the Sterile Services
Department. This role will require you to assist in providing a reliable, comprehensive Sterile
Service to meet the specific needs of users with consistent quality in the most effective, efficient
and economic way adhering to requirements of various policies and procedures.
You will be required to achieve the mandatory Induction standards for Healthcare
Support Workers in Scotland and to comply with the Code of Conduct throughout your
employment.
Informal enquiries to: Nancy Gray, Sterile Services Officer on Tel. 01382 632444 or
Irene Dempsey, Sterile Services Officer on Tel. 01382 632372
Hours of work are:
37.5 Hours per week (Monday to Sunday on rota)
Please download the full application pack from www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk
Internal applicants: please download the application pack from Staffnet. Please read the
Important Job Application Information in the Information for Applicants section.
Completed applications should be returned to recruitment.tayside@nhs.net (quoting the job
reference number in the subject box) or to Human Resources, NHS Tayside, Level 9, Ninewells
Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY
Short-listed applicants will be contacted by email. Please check your emails regularly.
Please quote reference number – D/MB/65/13
Closing date for receipt of completed application forms – Wednesday 6 November 2013
Distribution: Staffnet, www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk, The Courier
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NHS TAYSIDE – AGENDA FOR CHANGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
2.
JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title
Department(s)/Location
Sterile Services Assistant (ATO)
Sterile Services Department
Ninewells Hospital
Number of job holders
92
JOB PURPOSE
To provide a reliable, comprehensive Sterile Service to meet the specific needs of users across Tayside and
Fife with consistent quality in the most effective, efficient and economic way. Adhering to requirements of
various policies and procedures.
3.
ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Responsible to the Sterile Services Manager through Departmental Managers, Officers and Supervisors.
OFFICERS
I
SUPERVISORS
I
ASSISTANTS (THIS POST)
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4.
SCOPE AND RANGE
Responsible for recording, cleaning, inspecting, assembling, packing, sealing, labelling and sterilising of
packs, supplementaries, soft goods and gowns to Clinics, Health Centres, Wards, Departments and Theatres
throughout Tayside & Fife.
There are four main areas of work, on a rotational basis within Sterile Services. These four areas are:
 Reception / Wash – 4 weeks
 Clean Room – within this there are 3 additional areas: Supplementaries, Running and Packs, these
areas are each worked for 4 weeks, totalling 12 weeks.
 Sterilisers – as required
The Department processes an average of 54,000 trays, instrument packs, supplementaries and soft goods
each month for use in 45 theatres throughout Tayside and Fife.
Definition:
Tray = A Metal Tray of medical instruments and devices sent to Theatres etc.
Packs = Can consist of both soft goods (i.e. swabs, bandages, linen packs etc) and/or instruments.
Supplementaries = additionally requested specific/specialised instrumentation
There are 1,450 different tray / pack types each containing an average of 50 different instruments, 20,000
supplementaries and 300 different soft goods.
5.
MAIN DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Induction Standards & Code of Conduct
Your performance must comply with the national “Mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare Support
Workers in Scotland” 2009; and with the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers.
ALL AREAS
To use the correct methods of operation in accordance with the Quality Policy and Procedures e.g. ISO EN
13485, MDD93/42 EEC (MHRA), Glennie Report and Health Protection Scotland.
Display correct working practices to other members of staff to assist with their training needs.
Comply with Health & Safety regulations and adhere to manual handling training, fire safety training, risk
assessment recommendations and COSHH.
Maintain safe systems of work and high standards of hygiene.
Immediate reporting of faulty equipment to the Supervisor.
To carry out any other duties allocated by, or on behalf of, the Sterile Services Manager.
RECEPTION/WASH
Recording trays, packs and supplementaries manually and scanned using the floor management IT system
(Nexus) for charging and traceability.
Sorting instruments from trays, packs and supplementaries into din baskets for decontamination in washer
disinfectors.
Identifying medical devices for manual washing.
Disassemble/reassemble theatre instruments to facilitate cleaning (some have multiple parts).
Feeding din baskets onto washer disinfector.
Trays, packs and supplementaries are scanned into the floor management system at recording,
sorting and feeding stages.
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Transfer of foul linen to collection point for delivery to laundry.
Clean Trolleys in wash area with alcohol wipe record on sheet and transfer to reception.
CLEAN ROOM
Marry up trays and instruments from washer disinfector ready for assembly ensuring instruments are always
kept with same tray for traceability.
Collect soft goods i.e. swabs, linen, etc. and list of tray contents from within Clean room.
Checking of instruments for cleanliness (some have small bores which can be blocked with bone, body tissue
etc.) and recording of rejects from Wash area.
Check instruments are in good working order. Ask Supervisor to replace if damaged.
Inspection assembly and packing of instruments and soft goods into trays and packs. Ensure all parts are
compatible and set in tray as requested by the user. Scan using the floor management system.
Packing of soft goods and gowns in preparation for sterilisation.
There may be a requirement to work in Linen Fold to fold pieces of laundered linen for use in trays or packs.
Supplementaries are married up with relevant documentation and packed according to procedure.
STERILISERS
To ensure that trays, packs, supplementaries, soft goods and gowns are sterilised in accordance with HTM
2010 and Department Quality Procedures.
Scan load using floor management system prior to sterilisation.
To maintain steriliser log books accurately. To check and file charts / electronic charts and printouts.
Responsible for release of load, ensuring steriliser chart and printout readings meet requirements. Scan load
to see if sterilised and accept or reject. Rejects recorded and returned to Clean Room for re-processing.
To ensure that the packs and trays are dry, the indicator tape or panel is the correct colour, properly sealed
and correctly labelled prior to storage and despatch.
To undertake the removal of sterilised equipment to the Sterile Store area for either dispatch or storage.
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6.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Liaise with Supervisors and Officers face to face or by phone to ensure Departmental production is in line
with requirements i.e. trays are processed according to demand from Theatres.
Liaise with all members of the Team including Supervisor to promote good working practice and relations
and high standards of cleanliness.
Communicate, teach and demonstrate policies, procedures and use of machinery through on the job training
for new starts and learners.
Liaise with external agencies in relation to learning any updates on protocol, policies and procedures and
upgrades for new equipment.
In absence of Supervisor answer phone and take messages from Theatres Charge Nurses to be passed on to
Supervisor.
7.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
Knowledge of Department Quality Policy, Objectives and Procedures.
Knowledge of Health & Safety Regulations, COSHH, Manual Handling etc which is taught both with
rotational on the job training and by attending specific training modules outwith the department.
Ability to learn instrument recognition to ensure correct labelling/assembly of trays and disassembly and
assembly of medical devices. Learn how to operate floor management IT system.
Good communication skills.
Ability to work under pressure.
Ability to be flexible and adaptable working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Ability to continually learn as technology in surgery and medical devices develops.
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8.
SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Shared users of the following equipment and not directly responsible for maintenance of:
Operation of Washer Disinfectors
Din baskets
Carrier
Trolleys
Operation of Heat Seal Machines
Rolls of / individual Bags
Use of IT Tracking System for traceability. Items are scanned at each stage of the process.
Hand held computers / touch screen
Autoclaves (Sterilisers)
Magnifying glasses
Conveyer belts
Trolleys
Continuity testing instruments (checking currents within electrical circuits)
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All records created in the course of the business of NHS Tayside are corporate records and are public records
under the terms of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937. This includes email messages and other
electronic records. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep appropriate records of your work in NHS
Tayside and manage those records in keeping with the NHS Tayside Records Management Policy and with
any guidance produced by NHS Tayside specific to your employment.
9.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical Skills – all frequently throughout the shift
Manual handling skills are required for transferring trolleys full of instrument from Reception to Wash and
transferring trays to work stations in Wash and Clean Room.
Lifting loads of different weights and sizes (average weight 10lbs). This involves twisting and turning.
Loading trays to autoclave trolley and pushing and pulling trolley into and out of steriliser.
Bending and stretching on a daily basis to load and unload trays and din basket on 9 tier trolleys in Clean
Room, unload trays from trolleys in wash room and load trays onto transport trolleys after sterilisation.
Standing 100% of the time in the Wash and Sterilising areas, 80% of the time in Clean Room.
Physical Demands – on an ongoing basis
Disassembly and assembly of theatre instruments consisting of several parts some of which are small (i.e.
screws, washers) and awkward to handle and require manual dexterity. All parts must be compatible.
Mental Demands - frequently throughout shift on ongoing basis
High concentration when inspecting and packing trays ensuring the instrumentation is the correct quantity
and type for the surgical procedure and that quality is of a high standard for safe use and working to strict
pressurized deadlines e.g. to ensure meet pre-determined lorry despatch times.
Manoeuvring in a confined space when loading and unloading carriages of din baskets on and off the washer
disinfectors.
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Emotional Demands – Every shift
Working under pressure, in an unpredictable environment when theatres request a quick turnaround of trays
and supplementaries e.g. for a medical emergency situation.
Remainder to be processed as quickly as possible.
Working Conditions – Every shift
Directly exposed to body fluids, faeces, body parts, bones, dirty swabs etc on instrumentation, Trays and
Linen.
Work to universal precautions to minimise risk of infectious diseases etc.
Handling potentially dangerous blades and needles for disposal.
10. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The post holder will be responsible for ensuring medical devices are fit for purpose, i.e. clean, not damaged,
correctly identified.
Responsible for ensuring items are accurately recorded for invoicing purposes but not responsible for
signatory purposes.
Responsible for ensuring requisition sheets are accurate.
Responsible for prioritising own work load / orders for despatch to meet with deadlines for despatch.
Ensuring best practice for instrumentation within work environment to ensure safety and damage limitation.
Solely responsible for ensuring medical devices / instrumentation are fit for use by others and sterilised.
Correct Sterilisation is not checked by supervisors.
Manage own workload on a daily basis referring to supervisor as and when necessary.
Involved with reviewing and amending procedures etc to achieve best practice within department.
11. MOST CHALLENGING / DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
Maintaining and developing technical knowledge/expertise to achieve performance balance between quality
and output.
Working in an unpredictable environment. Reactive to the needs of Theatres i.e. urgent requests for trays.
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General Conditions of Service
POST REF NO:
D/MB/65/13
JOB TITLE/GRADE:
Assistant Technical Officer (ATO), Band 2
LOCATION:
Sterile Services Department, Ninewells Hospital
Conditions of Service
Remuneration
The terms and conditions of service for this post are those
determined by the NHS Staff Council.
The current salary scale for the post is £14,653 to £17,425 per
annum (pro rata for part-time staff). Placing on the scale on
appointment is normally at the minimum but may be higher
subject to verification of previous relevant service.
Pay points under £21,000 will receive an additional nonconsolidated non-pensionable sum to raise basic pay by a total
of £250 pro rata for part-time staff. This addition will be divided
into 12 equal monthly payments, will cease on 31 March 2014
and will be noted separately on payslips
Hours of Duty
Salary is paid weekly by Bank Credit Transfer.
The hours of the post are 37.5 per week (Monday to Sunday on
rota).
Superannuation
Start and finish times will be determined by the needs of the
service.
Membership of the NHS Superannuation Scheme is not
compulsory but is open to all staff between the ages of 16 and
70 (65 in some instances).
The contributions paid are a percentage of superannuable pay,
which is essentially basic pay excluding, for example, overtime
or travelling expenses.
Contribution rates with effect from 01.04.13 are as follows:
Annual Pensionable Pay
(Full-time equivalent)
Up to £15,278
£15,279 to £21,175
£21,176 to £26,557
£26,558 to £48,982
£48,983 to £69,931
£69,932 to £110,273
£110,274 and over
Annual Leave
Contribution
5%
5.3%
6.8%
9.0%
11.3%
12.3%
13.3%
Contributions are subject to tax relief and reduced National
Insurance contributions. NHS Tayside also makes a substantial
contribution towards scheme benefits – currently around 14% of
basic pay.
On appointment = 27 days (pro rata for part-time Staff) or 5.4
weeks per year.
After 5 years aggregated service = 29 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 5.8 weeks per year
Page 9 of 10
After 10 years aggregated service = 33 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 6.6 weeks per year
References
Occupational Health
Clearance
Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974
(Exclusions and
Exceptions) (Scotland)
Order 2003
Disclosure Scotland
Immigration, Asylum
and Nationality Act
2006
Public Holidays = 8 days (pro rata for part-time staff) or 1.6
weeks per year
All offers of appointment are subject to receipt of two satisfactory
references
All offers of appointment to new entrants to the National Health
Service are subject to a medical examination.
Medical
examinations are arranged and undertaken by the Occupational
Health and Safety Advisory Service (OHSAS).
All current or spent criminal convictions, cautions, warnings or
any case pending must be disclosed prior to commencing in
employment as detailed on the application form.
Please note that having a conviction will not automatically debar
you from obtaining employment with NHS Tayside. Careful
consideration will be given to the relevance of the offence to the
particular post in question. However, if you are appointed, and it
is found that you did not reveal a previous conviction your
employment may be terminated.
Not required
It is a criminal offence for an employer to employ anyone who
does not have permission to live or work in the UK.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce specific original
documentation at interview e.g. Passport, or full birth certificate
together with an official document giving the applicants
permanent National Insurance Number and name issued by a
Government Agency or a previous employer, as well as
photocopies of these documents.
Professional Registration/New entrants to NHS Tayside will be required to achieve the
Induction Standards & mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare Support Workers
Code of Conduct
(HCSWs) in Scotland and comply with the Code of Conduct for
HCSWs throughout your employment.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited within NHS premises and grounds.
Applications
Completed forms should be returned to:
recruitment.tayside@nhs.net quoting the job reference in the
subject line
or
to Human Resources Directorate, NHS Tayside, Level 9,
Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY
By closing date of Wednesday 6 November 2013
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