Job Description: Dental Decontamination Operator

Job Description: Dental Decontamination Operator

Ivory Dental Care

Job Description: Dental Decontamination Operator

Job purpose

To keep the surgeries supplied with sufficient sterilised instruments

Accountable to

Practice Owners

Reports to

Head Nurse

Practice Manager

Duties and responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for:

  • Cleaning, sterilising and inspection of multiple use clinical instruments and surgery equipment, and prepare them for reuse in surgery
  • Collect dirty/used instruments and return them to surgeries once sterilised
  • Keep the clinical areas and all equipment and instruments clean, tidy and sterile as appropriate according to the practice’s health and safety and infection control procedures and manufacturers' instructions, including observation for safety issues which may affect those who visit and use the practice and notify a senior member of staff of any safety issues
  • Use all equipment and machinery in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and ensure that they are maintained regularly and in good working order
  • Undertake daily monitoring tests on all equipment, in accordance with the practices’ policies and procedures
  • Ensure the care and welfare of patients
  • Accurately complete decontamination records as directed
  • Handle all substances in accordance with health and safety policies
  • Be familiar and comply with all health and safety rules and guidance, including PPE, COSHH, mercury handling, infection control, waste disposal etc
  • Liaise with nominated organisations to arrange maintenance and repair of equipment
  • Ensure adequate stocks of materials and other items within the surgery
  • Liaise with the person responsible for ordering, to ensure stock levels are kept at the agreed levels
  • The post holder needs to operate as an integral unit of the dental team but is expected to use his / her initiative when supervision and / or advice is not immediately available
  • Attend annual training in medical emergencies and Basic Life Support
  • Demonstrate their job to new members of staff in the induction process to ensure competence in the role
  • To ensure the safe disposal clinical waste in accordance with cross infection control guidelines
  • Attend and participate in practice meetings
  • Other duties as necessary for the efficient operation of the practice, such as cleaning of the laboratory or clerical duties
  • Undergo training as required to develop skills and abilities
  • Attend refresher and update training
  • Participate in the annual appraisal process and the development and implementation of activities identified on the personal development plan
  • Contribute to the clinical audit activities within the practice through data collection and the implementation of action plans
  • Where necessary relevant training in the operation of new or unfamiliar equipment, software or procedures will be provided or arranged
  • Act in accordance with the practice rules and code of conduct
  • Liaise with the Head Nurse and/or Practice Manager
  • Work at other practice locations as required

It is a condition of this post that employees undergo tests and immunisation if necessary, to ensure that they are immune to Hepatitis B. This is for their own protection.

There may be opportunities to undertake other duties and responsibilities of a similar level from time to time.

The above list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be fully comprehensive and may be amended to take account of changing circumstances or requirements following consultation with the post holder.

Disclosure and Baring Vetting

This post will be subject to a standard disclosure under the DBS system.

March 2016

E Barlow

Location – PR – P – CQC – 6 Fundamental Standard Responsive