Central Sterile Services Department Operative

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is: 01/03/2025

€40,710, €41,772, €42,906, €43,993, €45,156 €46,353, €47,588

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Reporting Relationship

The appointee will report directly to the Clinical Nurse Manager 2 / Sterile Services Manager CSSD under the overall governance of the Director of Nursing via the Assistant Director of Nursing.

Purpose of the Post

• The appointee will work as part of a team who decontaminate and sterilise instrument sets and flexible scopes for all areas in LUH.
• To undertake decontamination duties and assist in providing specialised decontamination of medical devices including but not limited to surgical instruments and flexible endoscopes, contributing to the clinical care of the patient.
• To carry out the collection and delivery, receipt, disassembly, cleaning, inspection, reassembly, packing and disinfection and or sterilization of reusable medical devices and supporting duties. Record all tasks using the tracking and tracing systems within the department.
• Work in accordance with the Department’s Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Management Systems.
• The role involves exposure to blood and body fluids

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will support the principle that care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree
• Maintain throughout the Group’s awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities.

• Performance management systems are part of the role and you will be required to participate in the Group’s performance management programme

• Hospital Sterile Services Department (H.S.S.D.) Operatives should conduct themselves in a manner that conveys respect of the individual and ensures safe patient care. The personal characteristics that indicate these principles should include:

o Confidentiality

o Courtesy

o Accountability

o Communication

o Dignity and privacy

The C.S.S.D. Operative will:

• Work in accordance with Departmental Policy, Standard Operating Procedures and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have a working knowledge and comply with the Recommended Practices for Endoscope Reprocessing Units, Health Service Executive (2012) and Standards and Recommended Practices for Central Decontamination Units, Health Service Executive (2011).
• Reprocess reusable medical devices, disassemble, clean either manually or with the use of mechanical aids, disinfect, check, assemble, disinfect and or sterilize, dispatch and track, using all solutions and machines according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Operate decontamination equipment and carry out routine tests in accordance with the Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedules, Quality Standards and Guidance.
• Provide a collection and delivery service to CSSD customers.
• Inform the Supervisors of any raw material shortages and ensure stock is rotated.
• Under limited supervision meet the demands of the Department’s workload whilst consistently achieving high quality standards which will be measured by in-process checks and non-conformance reports.
• Undertake initial investigation into non-conformances reports as instructed.
• To ensure safe handling of transportation trolleys and reusable medical devices.
• Handle sterile packages in line with local SOPs.
• Stock and replenish all stores as required
• Participate in Decontamination Audits.

Communication

• Answer the telephone as required and relay messages to appropriate members of staff.
• Communicate all relevant information within the team to ensure the continual and efficient running of the service.

Training

• Attend all mandatory training and participate in professional training and suggest methods in which errors or quality problems can be reduced. To attend departmental training sessions and keep up-to-date with changes in practices, developments and new procedures.
• Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
• Take responsibility for identifying what learning you need to do your job better and jointly plan with your line manager what training you require.

Other

• In the event of a major incident employees will be expected to report for duty on notification.

General Information

• Attend for duty as assigned by the Sterile Services Manager in full and proper uniform at the appropriate time.
• Ensure appropriate protective clothing is worn correctly as necessary when carrying out duties.
• Report on and off duty to the line manager or Supervisor and adhere to the agreed break times.
• Have knowledge of and observe safe methods of work. Adhere to hospital and organisational policies, including health and safety regulations at all times when carrying out duties.
• Report any incident or potential incident which may compromise the health and safety of patients, staff or visitors.
• Report any broken equipment to the Supervisor or Manager.
• Ensure all equipment is stored safely and appropriately.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role
• Maintain a high standard of hygiene in CSSD in line with HIQA and hospital guidelines.
• Give immediate attention to all spillages in order to reduce the risk of accidents
• Be responsible for the segregation and safe disposal of all waste to the designated area.
• Adhere to infection control policies.
• Attend meetings as required by the Supervisor or Manager
• Service needs require that staff may be rostered for unsocial hours/shift work/night duty.
• Carry out other duties which may be assigned from time to time.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

KPI’s

• The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital’s service plan targets.
• The development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.
• Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.
• In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.
• The management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

·        Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders.

·        All accidents within the Department must be reported immediately.

·        Infection Control Policies must be adhered to.

·        In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts 2005 and 2010 all staff must comply with all safety regulations and audits.

·        In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within the Hospital Buildings is not permitted.

·        Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.

·        Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management.

·        To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Risk Management, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety

·        The management of Risk, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

·        The post holder must be familiar with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

·        The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures & Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:

o   Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives

o   Document Control Information Management Systems

o   Risk Management Strategy and Policies

o   Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards

o   Decontamination Code of Practice

o   Infection Control Policies

o   Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure

o   Data Protection and confidentiality Policies

·        The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they become familiar with the requirements stated within the Risk Management Strategy and that they comply with the Group’s Risk Management Incident/Near miss reporting Policies and Procedures.

·        The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they comply with hygiene services requirements in your area of responsibility. Hygiene Services incorporates environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, the management of laundry, waste, sharps and equipment.

·        The post holder must foster and support a quality improvement culture through-out your area of responsibility in relation to hygiene services.

·        The post holders’ responsibility for Quality & Risk Management, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety will be clarified to you in the induction process and by your line manager.

·        The post holder must take reasonable care for his or her own actions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of others.

·        The post holder must cooperate with management, attend Health & Safety related training and not undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and adequately trained.

·        The post holder is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.

·        It is the post holder’s responsibility to be aware of and comply with the HSE Health Care Records Management/Integrated Discharge Planning (HCRM / IDP) Code of Practice.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must on the latest date of application:

1.      Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

      a)          Hold a qualification in Health Services Skills or Health Care Support at Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)* Level 5 (or higher).

Or

     b)          Hold a relevant health care qualification at least equivalent to (a) above.

And

      c)          Have experience in Decontamination and/or C.S.S.D.

And

Have recent* experience working in a health care or manufacturing environment as relevant to the role

     d)          Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.

*denotes within the last 5 years.

*Note: FETAC and HETAC have been replaced by Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI). For more information visit www.QQI.ie

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character

Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

Post specific Requirements

• Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience working in Decontamination or CSSD as relevant to the role.
• Demonstrate knowledge or experience of the decontamination process.

Other requirements specific to the post

Flexibility regarding working hours to meet the demands of the service

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must demonstrate:

Professional Knowledge

·        Knowledge and experience in the decontamination of reusable invasive medical devices

·        Have a working knowledge and comply with the Recommended Practices for Central Decontamination Units, Health Service Executive (2012) and Standards and Recommended Practices for Central Decontamination Units, Health Service Executive (2011).

Teamwork

·        Demonstrate the ability to be a good team player.

·        Demonstrate the ability to work independently and as a member of a team and make positive contributions to that team.

·        Demonstrate initiative, flexibility and problem solving skills.

Planning & Organising Skills

·        Demonstrate the ability to look ahead and forward plan for service delivery.

·        Demonstrate the ability to prioritise their workload and complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner.

·        Demonstrate a meticulous approach to work and the ability to pay attention to detail.

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

·        Demonstrate the ability to ensure high quality work and results.

·        Demonstrate experience in the use of quality standards and procedures to ensure continuous improvements in the running of the service.

·        Ability to work to Standard Operating Procedures

·        Ability to work accurately under pressure

·        Ability to stay calm/work under pressure

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

·        Professional manner at all times

·        Good communication skills, written and spoken

·        Demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.

Tenure

The current vacancy available is pensionable permanent and whole time.

A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is 39 hours

HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 6.00am to midnight over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at job offer stage

Superannuation

This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004.

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants recruited between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants recruited since 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Probation

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

Mandated Person Children First Act 2015

As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation

·        To report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA.

·        To assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report

You will remain a mandated person for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.