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 Leaders, you will participate in performing the reprocessing of RMDs. You will:
- Decontaminate, inspect, pack, and sterilise RMDs in accordance with AS5369: 2023 sterilising requirements, the National Safety and Quality in Health Care Standard and infection control guidelines, including performing environmental cleaning, instrument laser marking, quality assurance tests and driving the truck between Sterilising Services sites.
- Use a computerised tracking system for all stages of processing, including troubleshooting issues, add/update instrument sets, manually add items to the washer or steriliser batch and approve/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.
- Conduct audits, including analysing and documenting results. Complete and maintain accurate up to date documentation for all areas of Sterilising Services.
- Identify, report and recommend appropriate remedial action on any deficiencies in operation of production area including incident reporting and any deficiencies in quality standards to the Team Leaders.
- Participate in education and training, including completing on the job competencies and Performance Management Plan and conduct on-the-job training and in-servicing for all staff as required, including conducting competency assessments, and completing associated documentation.
- Promote and contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives throughout the workplace.
- 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 a high degree of drive.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills.
Qualifications
Specific qualifications includes, but are not limited to, the following.
Essential
- This position is required to work across all Sterilising Services sites.
Desirable
- HSO 4 – Certificate III in Sterilising (HLT37015) and a minimum three years working in a sterilising unit are mandatory to be employed at this level.
- HSO 5 - Certificate III in Sterilising (HLT37015) and IV in Sterilising Services (HTL47015), or Certificate III in Sterilising (HLT37015) and Certificate IV in Leadership and Management (BSB40215); and a minimum of five years working in a sterilising unit are mandatory to be employed at this level.
- Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
Experience
Specific experience includes, but are not limited to, the following.
Essential
- Experience is preferred.
- A current C class driver’s license is mandatory as this position may include the requirement to drive vehicles up to a max 4.5 tonnes Gross.
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:
- 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 clinical and/or competency standards.
- This position involves participating 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 Hospital.
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.
- Experience in, or willingness to learn reusable medical device (RMD) reprocessing, including cleaning, disinfection, inspection, functionality testing, packing and sterilisation.
- Effective organisational and communication skills, with the ability to liaise with stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently or with limited supervision within a team working environment whilst promoting a positive working culture.
- 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.
| Administrative | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Telephone use | Occasionally |
| General computer use | Frequently |
| Extensive keying/data entry | Occasionally |
| Graphical/analytical based | Occasionally |
| 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 | Occasionally |
| 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 | Never |
| Operation of heavy machinery e.g. forklift | Never |
| Confined spaces | Never |
| Excessive noise | Never |
| Low lighting | Never |
| 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: C14160, C11295, C14159, C11303, C14161
Position title: Casual Sterilising Technician
Classification: Sterilising Services Health Service Officer Level 3/4/5
Location: Canberra, ACT
Reporting relationships: Direct Manager: Sterilising Services Team Leader
Manager +1: Assistant Manager, Human Resources
Manager +2: Assistant Director, Operations
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