Spire Healthcare – Clinical Job Descriptions
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Job Title / Code
Theatre Sterile Service Unit (TSSU) Assistant (00213)
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Reports To
Theatre Manager
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Department
Spire Hospital
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Job Purpose
To assist the multi-disciplinary theatre team to provide exemplary care in the TSSU department by
cleaning, sterilising and packing theatre linen and instruments. Ensuring theatre instruments and
consumables are correct and ready for use.
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Overall Responsibilities
1.
Undertake routine tasks related to individual’s health and well being.
2.
Production and communication of information and knowledge
3.
Contribute to own personal development.
4.
Assist in maintaining own and others’ health and safety and security.
5.
Assist in maintaining and developing services.
6.
Ensure own actions help to maintain quality.
7.
Ensure own actions support equality, diversity and rights.
Specific Responsibilities
1.
Routine tasks related to patient’s health and well being when they require a surgical
intervention
 Correctly undertakes tasks* that have been delegated in relation to the specific individual as
agreed with the theatre team.
 *Tasks are
- Checking correct instruments are on trays pre and post decontamination
- Decontamination of checking for functionality
- Pack linen/instruments/consumables for sterilisation
- Complete accurately tracking systems
- Monitor repairs of instruments
- Checking functioning of sterilising and decontamination equipment according to
manufactures instructions
 Prepare self, equipment and materials safely for the tasks* to be undertaken. Undertake tasks*
as delegated and taught for that specific case working within level of competence.
 Records sterilisation and packing information related to designated tasks accurately and
passes it on to the relevant person in the theatre team on time.
 Identifies and reports any significant faults that might affect the effective use of the consumable
or instrument being safely used.
JD – TSSU Assistant
Review Date : Oct 08
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2.
Production and communication of information
 Agrees with the perioperative team the TSSU data and information that is to be collected and
collated.
 Undertake data collection and collation activities effectively and to time using the agreed
tracking system.
 Communicate appropriately with all those involved in the care of the patient, reporting problems
to the appropriate person immediately.
 Report the data and information clearly in the agreed format to time.
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Contribute to own personal development
 Complete the requirements of Spire Healthcare’s induction programme, with the help of more
senior colleagues.
 Assess and identify current knowledge and skills to the demand of the job, with the help of
others.
 Prepare for and actively take part in Spire Healthcare’s enabling excellence programme.
 Take an active part in a variety of learning activities and keep a record of them, seek help when
unsure.
 Attend annual mandatory training programme.
4.
Maintaining own and others’ health and safety and security
 Undertake work activities and related training as defined in Spire Healthcare health and safety
policies and procedures.
 Assist in maintaining a safe working environment for self, colleagues, and others.
 Ensure colleagues know own location during working hours.
 Summons immediate help for any emergency and take appropriate action to contain it, within
the limits of your own personal safety.
 Report any issues in the workplace that may put health and safety at risk, supporting others in
maintaining health, safety and security.
 Assist in maintaining a safe work environment by the correct disposal of waste and spillage.
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Maintaining and developing services.
 Apply Spire Healthcare and theatre policies and procedures correctly within the theatre
department.
 Explain to others rationale for personal actions.
 Carry out delegated tasks correctly, offering own view on how services can be improved.
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Help to maintain quality
 Understand position and job in the hospital and theatre, knowing where to go for additional
support.
JD – TSSU Assistant
Review Date : Oct 08
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 Arrive promptly for work and alerts others if late.
 Prepare surgical equipment, materials and self appropriately for the task to be undertaken.
 Maintain, handle and store surgical equipment and materials effectively and safely.
 Recognise the meaning of quality procedures and consistently work within the parameters of
Spire Healthcare principles, policies and procedures.
 Make suggestions on how quality with the TSSU and theatre suite can be improved.
 Monitor basis stock levels obtaining more resources when needed.
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Support equality, diversity and rights
 Act in ways that are consistent with Spire Healthcare procedures, and the law.
 Treat everyone with respect and without discrimination, challenge behaviour which infringes
their rights.
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Qualification, Training and Experience
Understands a range of routine work procedures within the TSSU which requires job training and a
period of induction.
Effective Hand/eye co-ordination required.
Maintain personal competence in current job role. Level 1 Technical Vocational Qualification from
Institute of Sterile Service and Management desirable, and later working towards Level 2.
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Judgment Skills
Involves straightforward job related facts or situations.
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Freedom to Act
Works with close supervision and within well established procedure and practices to acceptable
standards and results.
Carries out own day to day work tasks or activities under the delegation of a more senior member of the
TSSU/ perioperative team, observing personal duty of care.
Follows policies in own role, using appropriate care and attention, which are determined by others.
Communicates with work colleagues in a helpful and informative manner.
Records personally generated information, and accurately completes time sheets and work records.
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Environment
The post holder will work in a TSSU with frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions, including
heat and body fluids.
There will be frequent moderate bursts of activity during the provision of the TSSU service to other
members of the theatre team.
Flexible working within shift duties.
JD – TSSU Assistant
Review Date : Oct 08
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I have read, understood and accept this job description
Name :
Signature :
Position :
Date :
JD – TSSU Assistant
Review Date : Oct 08
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