Position overview

The Infrastructure and Health Support Services Division is responsible for facilities and asset management, delivery of capital and minor projects, and infrastructure services, support, and operations. The Sterilising Services section is embedded within this Division.

Sterilising Services provides Sterilising services to Canberra Hospital (CHS), including the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit (GEHU), North Canberra Hospital (NCH), and some private clinics within the ACT and surrounding areas of NSW by cleaning, disinfecting and Sterilising Reusable Medical Devices (RMD). In addition to providing reprocessing services, Sterilising Services also manages the purchase, maintenance, and repairs and replacement of RMD.

Sterilising Services is organised into the following functional areas:

• Sterilising Services Unit at CHS
• Sterilising Services Unit at NCH
• The Central Reprocessing Unit (CRU) located within the GEHU at CHS

Under limited direction, the Sterilising Services Instrument Manager is responsible for managing day-to-day functions of Sterilising Services instrument management across Sterilising Services operational areas while ensuring compliance with the National Safety and Quality in Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, AS/NZS 5369, Infection Prevention in Endoscopy Guidelines (GESA), Infection Control guidelines, and CHS policies and procedures.

The Assistant Manager, Instrument Management is responsible for all aspects of reusable medical device (RMD) management, including RMD repair, purchase, replacement and maintenance. Instrument Management includes inputting relevant RMD information into the electronic tracking system, T-DOC, providing T-DOC user training and education to CHS personnel and developing and generating reports, as required. This position requires active involvement in quality improvement initiatives, audits, and projects, and is required to respond to customer enquiries efficiently and effectively, ensuring a patient focused quality product and service are delivered to each customer.

Key Responsibilities

Under limited direction you will manage all aspects of RMD management to meet operational requirements within the Sterilising Services Unit. You will:

1. Input and maintain RMD information within the electronic instrument tracking system, T-DOC, including unit cost prices, cost and activity data, Product Family, and NSW Weightage. Add triggers to RMDs requiring specialised reprocessing where required. Manage the unique marking (laser marking) of instrument process.
2. Troubleshoot in-house and user issues with the T-DOC electronic tracking system, including testing and implementation of new or revised modules and provide education and training in the use of T-DOC.
3. Manage the RMD repair, replacement, and purchase process, ensuring practices align with relevant stakeholder service agreements. Manage projects, as assigned.
4. Provide high-level written correspondence, including work instructions, procedures, policies, email communication, and other written correspondence, as required. Review and update documents at specified intervals, ensuring documents are reviewed prior to expiration. Develop and generate RMD, T-DOC, and other reports, as required.
5. Identify and report on any deficiencies in operation of surgical item inventory to the Assistant Director, Operations, and any deficiencies in quality standards to the Assistant Director, Quality and recommend appropriate remedial action. Contribute to the quality improvement and change processes, participate in, and perform quality audits, as required.
6. Clean, inspect, pack, and sterilise RMDs in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 5369 Infection Control in Endoscopy Guidelines, infection control guidelines, the National Quality and Safety in Health Service Standards, and CHS policies and procedures, to ensure continuity of the service during critical staffing shortages.
7. Use the Purchasing Inventory Control System (PICS), or other system as required by CHS to input and search data and raise requisitions.
8. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following.

• Strong leadership and organisational skills with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs whilst upholding a high level of customer service.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and passionate about a patient focused service.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• Certificate III in Sterilising (HLT37015).

Desirable

• Certificate IV in Leadership and Management (BSB40215), or Certificate III in Sterilising, and other management qualifications at certificate IV level or above.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Specific experience includes but is not limited to the following.

Essential

• Sound knowledge of AS/NZS 5369:2023.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in Sterilising Services practices, or infection control practices, or relevant health sector experience.
• Use of electronic tracking system.
• A current driver’s license.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Be available to rotate through a weekend/public holiday on-call roster. This position is primarily Monday to Friday daytime hours; however, there is a requirement to rotate through the emergency on-call roster with other managers.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.

Be available for weekend and/or after-hours work. CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required, which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Sound knowledge and demonstrated experience in RMD reprocessing practices and processes, including an extensive knowledge of RMDs and their intended application, Infection Control guidelines, AS/NZS 5369, NSQHS Standards, the Infection Control in Endoscopy Guidelines (GESA), and quality improvement and change processes.
2. Demonstrated, well-developed verbal and written communication skills and sound interpersonal skills with a proven ability to liaise effectively with staff and a wide range of stakeholders, including the ability to communicate with influence.
3. Demonstrated ability to plan, organise, and manage competing tasks as part of a team with limited supervision; display initiative, sound judgment, decision making and high-level problem-solving strategies.
4. Demonstrated understanding of the quality improvement framework with a proven ability to perform audits and utilise audit tools, and the quality improvement and change processes.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.