JOB SUMMARY:

Decontamination Services provides the hospital departments, theatres and wards with both decontaminated and sterile equipment. The high standards maintained by Decontamination Services can only be brought about by ensuring the staff are properly trained and informed of the correct procedure in handling the equipment and sterilisation. Reprocessing of reusable invasive medical devices is performed in dedicated decontamination units. Decontamination is broken into three distinct processes. Cleaning is physically removing organic material and micro-organisms from equipment and medical devices. Disinfection is a process which kills or inactivates micro-organisms but not spores. It does not eliminate all micro-organisms but reduces them to a safe level for handling. Sterilisation is a process which destroys all living micro-organisms including bacteria spores. It renders medical devices free from viable organisms.
The most rapid and effective way of killing micro-organisms is with moist heat. This is achieved by exposing microorganisms to steam generated to a temperature of 134oC for 3 minutes under pressure of 2.1 bar in a sealed chamber commonly referred to as an autoclave. There are also a number of other methods of sterilisation, including dry heat sterilisation, gas sterilisation, chemical sterilisation and radiation sterilisation.
The role of Deputy Decontamination Manager will see the post holder take primary responsibility for either the CSSD or the Endoscope Decontamination service as directed by the Decontamination Lead. The Deputy Decontamination Manager will also act on behalf of the Decontamination Lead when necessary to do. Each Deputy Decontamination Manager will also assist with the running of the alternate decontamination service.
Decontamination as a field is technically very challenging. Sterilisation processes are underpinned by fundamentals in physics, microbiology, chemistry and material science. Over the past number of years, dedicated sterile services departments in hospitals have evolved where the need has arisen for specialised training, management and quality control systems, including traceability.
Responsibilities:

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Engage in continuing personal professional development by keeping up to date with decontamination literature, recent research and new developments in decontamination management, education and practice and to attend staff study days as considered appropriate.
• Participate in the identification, development and delivery of induction, education, training and development programmes for Decontamination staff.
• Provide support and supportive supervision to the decontamination supervisor and technicians
• Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as appropriate
• Ensure competency assessment of all decontamination staff is undertaken in line with Decontamination training policy

PERSONNEL

• Exercise a defined role in the personnel function.
• Promote, nurture and maintain a high level of staff morale, promoting team spirit and job satisfaction.
• Participate in the development of staff orientation and induction training programmes for all hospital staff as required.
• Ensure all staff practice within the HSE standards and recommended practices for the decontamination of RIMD.
• Manage behaviour outside acceptable limits to include performance, conflict, grievance, discipline, absenteeism, etc. in accordance with Hospital policy
  The job description is an outline of the post as it is currently perceived by the hospital and will be subject to review and amendment. This job description will therefore be subject to change in light of the various strategies for the hospital and the development of the Clinical Directorate model and any future developments that arise and will evolve and change over time.
  Qualifications: