Deputy Decontamination Manager

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 134^oC 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.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

The Deputy Decontamination Manager will,

• Report to the Decontamination Manager
• Provide a high level of professional approach and leadership.
• Be responsible for the delivery and review of service user experience by all  users of Decontamination Services
• Participate & lead in teams / meetings / committees as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members.
• Facilitate co-ordination, co-operation and liaison across healthcare teams and programmes regarding decontamination services
• Communicate verbally and / or in writing results of assessments and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance with service policy.
• Ensure that service users and Decontamination Technicians are treated with dignity and respect.
• Maintain records in accordance with local service and professional standards.
• Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation.
• In consultation with the Decontamination Manager, relevant staff and other disciplines, implement and assess quality management programme changes.
• Participate in clinical audit as required.
• Manage systems to ensure the highest professional standards using an evidence-based approach to the reprocessing and traceability of reusable invasive medical devices.
• Evaluate and manage the implementation of best practice policy and procedures in conjunction with the decontamination manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Manage all resources efficiently and effectively within agreed budget.
• Ensure that effective safety procedures are developed and managed to comply with statutory obligations, in conjunction with relevant staff.
• Develop and maintain a high standard of communication at departmental level.
• Participate in the identification, development and delivery of education, training and development programs for Decontamination Technicians.
• Contribute to the formulation, development and implementation of policies and procedures at area and hospital level. To practice in accordance with all current policies, protocols and guidelines at the hospital.
• Facilitate team building and staff motivation.
• Exercise control of all Decontamination equipment and ensure maintenance of same through the appropriate personnel.
• Ensure all reusable invasive medical devices to be sent for repair are recorded through the decontamination process
• Ensure the reusable invasive medical device storage is in line with current standards.
• Supervise the role of Decontamination technicians and ensure high standards are maintained.

Health & Safety

• Ensure that effective safety procedures are developed and managed to comply with statutory obligations, in conjunction with relevant staff e.g. health and safety procedures, emergency procedures.
• Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to staff and/or service user care or well-being / may be inhibiting the efficient provision of care.
• Assist in observing and ensuring implementation and adherence to established policies and procedures e.g. health and safety, infection control, storage and use of chemicals etc.
• Ensure completion of incident / near miss forms / risk reporting and all associated reports to the Quality and Safety department
• Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty.
• Liaise with other relevant staff e.g. CNS infection control MPCE re appropriateness for procurement of equipment in compliance with the decontamination processes.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards and decontamination standards
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service

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

Management

• Exercise authority in the running of the assigned area(s).
• Evaluate policies/practices in consultation with the decontamination manager in relation to service provision.
• Investigate complaints and provide a timely response in accordance with hospital protocol.
• Co-ordinate all Decontamination Services activities and use of resources.
• Provide link and assist in co-operation and co-ordination of services to Theatre/Endoscopy and all hospital departments.
• Contribute to the strategic management and planning process.
• Ensure supplies are on hand to allow for the timely reprocessing of surgical instruments
• In conjunction with the decontamination manager work to ensure in so far as is practical the Decontamination Departments are compliant with all local / regional / national recommendations, guidelines and standards including National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.
• Implement, maintain and evaluate quality process and standards in relation to Decontamination Services reprocessing and usage of reusable invasive medical devices.
• Participate in data collection for statistical analysis when necessary.
• Maintain appropriate records and logs with full historical records for each item of equipment / surgical instrumentation processed within the department.
• Promote the development of clinical and administrative computerisation.
• Ensure preparation of duty rosters, ensuring appropriate skill mix to meet clinical workload requirements.
• Maintain and regularly review use of Decontamination facilities, maximising their potential use.
• Seek to develop new ways to provide services to meet needs presented to the department.
• Be familiar with and assist in development and implementation of the major incident plan, when required.
• Provide understanding of activity, available services and gather information regularly for reports.
• Work in collaboration with relevant staff to identify the training needs of staff and ensure they are updated regularly.
• Work in collaboration with the Clinical Nurse Managers in service areas, Technical Services/Engineering Department, Infection Control CNS, and other Department Heads.
• Be responsible and accountable for all quality and safety issues relevant to the Department

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.

Selection Criteria: 

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. 

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

• Have obtained a BSc Ordinary degree in Decontamination Management or equivalent

• Have a minimum of 5 years decontamination experience in a similar environment

• Have a minimum of 3 years supervisory/management experience in a similar sized healthcare institution

Desirable:

• A professional health services qualification will be an advantage
• Flexibility to work non-core hours and weekends
• Strong level of IT literacy
• Previous project based experience
• Have experience in previous role identifying and remedying work related risks

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (Please note NO APPLICATIONS will be accepted via the Informal Email)