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 (CH), including the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, 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). Sterilising Services provides reprocessing of RMD, purchasing, instrument repairs and maintenance.

Sterilising Services is organised into the following functional areas:

• Sterilising Services Unit at CH, including management and administration.
• Sterilising Unit at NCH.
• Central Reprocessing Unit (CRU) at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit at CH.

Key Responsibilities

Under limited direction of the Team Leader, you will participate in performing the reprocessing of RMD. You will:

1. Decontaminate, inspect, pack, and sterilise RMD in accordance with AS5369:2023 sterilising requirements, including environmental cleaning and quality assurance tests, align with the National Safety and Quality in Health Care Standard and Infection Control guidelines. Be aware of and adhere to the requirements of the Safety Management Systems and Work Health and Safety Act.
2. Use a computerised tracking system (T Doc) across all Sterilising Services sites for the complete processing cycle. Additionally, troubleshoot issues with T-Doc as they arise, add and update instrument sets, manually add items to the washer or steriliser batch and approve or disapprove items or load via the Admin Module, fill customer orders and answer enquiries regarding location of instruments, and other tasks within T-Doc as required.
3. Coordinate loan set process by liaising with company representatives and Perioperative Resource staff to ensure that required sets are received, checked, reprocessed, and dispatched to the customer by requested date. Coordinate the return of sets to the loan set  company.
4. Identify and report deficiencies in operation of the production area including, incident reporting, staff performance, equipment maintenance infrastructure maintenance, and any deficiencies in quality standards to the Operations Manager or Assistant Managers and recommend appropriate remedial action.
5. Participate in education and training of staff members.
6. Promote and contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives throughout the workplace. Assist in reviewing Sterilising Services policy, procedures, and work instructions.
7. 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 communication and people skills with a high degree of drive.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.
• Strong organisational skills with an ability to think strategically to investigate issues and develop solutions.

Qualifications

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

Essential

• Certificate III in Sterilising (HLT37015) (If an employee does not possess a current certificate when the commence employment, they must obtain it within two years of commencement).
• A current driver’s license.

Desirable

• A sound knowledge of AS 5369:2023.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in a Sterilising Unit.
• Strong communication and people skills with a high degree of drive.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.
• Strong organisational skills with an ability to think strategically to investigate issues and develop solutions.

Desirable

• Prior experience working with computerised tracking system.
• 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:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.

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.
• Comply with all relevant competency standards.

Be available to participate in a rotating roster. The rotating shift roster will require the employee to work all shifts within a 24 hour/7 days per week roster. This position also involves working across all Sterilising Services’ sites (Canberra Hospital including the Central Reprocessing Unit and North Canberra.

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. Proven ability to reprocess Reusable Medical Devices (RMD), particularly loan sets, including receiving, decanting, reprocessing, and dispatching, in accordance with AS 5369:2023 Sterilising requirements and aligning with the National Safety and Quality in Health Care Standard and Infection Control Guidelines.
2. Sound knowledge of AS 5369:2023 and relevant standards with the ability to identify and report on any deficiencies in operation of production areas and/or quality standards, including recommendations of appropriate remedial action.
3. Proven ability to work independently and demonstrate leadership within a team working environment whilst promoting a positive working culture.
4. Demonstrated effective organisational and communication skills, both written and verbal, with demonstrated ability to liaise effectively with stakeholders.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety 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.