Position overview
Sterilising Services provides reprocessing services to Canberra Hospital (CH), North Canberra Hospital in Bruce (NCH) and some private clinics within the ACT and surrounding areas of NSW by cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilising reusable medical devices (RMDs). Services provided by Sterilising Services include RMD reprocessing and managing the purchasing, repairs, and maintenance of new and existing RMDs.
Sterilising Services is organised into the following functional areas:
- Sterilising Services Unit at Canberra Hospital (CH)
- Sterilising services Unit at NCH
- Central Reprocessing Unit (CRU) located within the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit at CH
Note: This role requires participation in a rotating roster, working across all shifts within a 24-hour, 7-day operation.
Key Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.
- Decontaminate, inspect, pack, and sterilise RMD in accordance with AS/NZS5369:2023 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Participate in education and training, including completing performance competencies and Performance Framework Plan, and conducting on-the-job training and in-servicing for staff as required, including assessing staff competency levels and completion of associated documentation.
- Promote and contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives throughout the workplace. Assist in reviewing Sterilising Services policy, procedures, and work instructions.
- 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.
- 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 qualifications 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).
Desirable
- Previous experience coordinating and processing orthopaedic loan sets, or infection control practices, or relevant health sector experience
- This position is required to work across all Sterilising Services sites and participate in a rotating roster that includes a 24 hour/7days per week roster, including public holidays and weekends.
Experience
Specific experience include, but are not limited to, the following.
Essential
- Experience working in a Sterilising Services Unit or similar
- A current driver’s license.
- A sound knowledge of AS 5369:2023
- Strong communication and people skills with a high degree of drive.
Desirable
- Experience in leading and mentoring teams.
- Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.
Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:
- Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
- Undergo assessment and screening for vaccination/immunity status against specified infectious diseases and obtain a Compliance Certificate from the Occupational Medicine Unit (OMU).
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.
- Applying for this position you will be required to work across all Sterilising Services sites and participate in a rotating roster that includes a 24 hour/7days per week roster, including public holidays and weekends.
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 the 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)
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.
- Proven ability to reprocess Reusable Medical Devices (RMD), particularly orthopaedic loan sets, including receiving, decanting, reprocessing and dispatching, in accordance with AS/NZS5369:2023 sterilising requirements and aligning with the National Safety and Quality in Health Care Standard and Infection Control Guidelines.
- Sound knowledge of AS/NZS5369:2023 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.
- Proven ability to work independently and demonstrate leadership within a team working environment whilst promoting a positive working culture.
- Demonstrated effective organisational and communication skills, both written and verbal, with demonstrated ability to liaise effectively with stakeholders.
- Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays’ behavior 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.
| Administrative | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Telephone use | Frequently |
| General computer use | Frequently |
| Extensive keying/data entry | Frequently |
| Graphical/analytical based | Frequently |
| Sitting at a desk | Occasionally |
| Standing for long periods | Frequently |
| Psychosocial demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distressed People e.g. Emergency or grief situations | Never |
| Aggressive & Uncooperative People e.g. drug / alcohol, dementia, mental illness | Never |
| Unpredictable People e.g. Dementia, mental illness, head injuries | Never |
| Restraining e.g. involvement in physical containment of clients/consumers | Never |
| Exposure to Distressing Situations e.g. Child abuse, viewing dead / mutilated bodies; verbal abuse; domestic violence; suicide | Never |
| Physical demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distance walking (large buildings or inter-building transit) | Frequently |
| Working outdoors | Never |
| Manual handling | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Lifting 0 - 9kg | Frequently |
| Lifting 10 - 15kg | Occasionally |
| Lifting 16kg+ | Never |
| Climbing | Never |
| Running | Never |
| Reaching | Frequently |
| Kneeling | Frequently |
| Foot and leg movement | Frequently |
| Hand, arm and grasping movements | Frequently |
| Bending/squatting | Frequently |
| Bend/Lean Forward from Waist/Trunk twisting | Frequently |
| Push/pull | Frequently |
| Sequential repetitive movements in a short amount of time | Frequently |
| Travel | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Frequent travel – multiple work sites | Frequently |
| Frequent travel – driving | Frequently |
| Specific hazards | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Working at heights | Never |
| Exposure to extreme temperatures | Occasionally |
| Operation of heavy machinery e.g. forklift | Occasionally |
| Confined spaces | Never |
| Excessive noise | Occasionally |
| Low lighting | Occasionally |
| Handling of dangerous goods/equipment e.g. gases; liquids; biological. | Occasionally |
| Slippery or uneven surfaces | Occasionally |
Directorate: Canberra Health Services
Division: Infrastructure and Health Support Services
Business Unit: Sterilising Services
Position number: P72234, P72235
Position title: Sterilising Services Loans Officer
Classification: Sterilising Services Technical Officer Level 1
Location: Canberra Hospital
Reporting relationships:
Direct Manager: Sterilising Services Team Leader (TO2),
Manager +1: Assistant Manager Human Resource (ASO5), Assistant Director Operations (SOG C) +1 Director (SOG B)
Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focussed on the delivery of high quality, effective, person-centred care. We provide acute, sub-acute, primary and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding regions. More information can be found on the CHS website.
Our Vision: creating exceptional health care together
Our Role: to be a health service that is trusted by our community
Our Values: Reliable, Progressive, Respectful and Kind