Senior CSSD Attendant

Job Purpose

The post holder ensures that all items are processed according to strict infection control protocols and standards to guarantee patient safety and support clinical operations in the theatre and other relevant departments.

Duties and Responsibilities

Decontamination

• Receive, sort, and disassemble used surgical instruments and medical devices from operating theaters, wards, and clinics
• Receive, sort, and sluice dirty linen from operating theatres
• Operate and maintain automated washers, ultrasonic cleaners, and other decontamination equipment
• Manually clean delicate or complex instruments following manufacturer guidelines
• Adhere to safety protocols for handling biohazardous materials and chemical solutions

Inspection, Assembly, and Packaging

• Inspect instruments for functionality, damage, and cleanliness using magnifying lights and test equipment
• Assemble instrument sets and trays according to predefined count sheets and surgical requirements
• Wrap, peel-pack, or containerize items appropriately for sterilization, ensuring proper labeling (contents, date, sterilizer cycle, expiry, staff initials)
• Prepare and load sterilization containers (e.g., rigid sterilization containers)

Sterilization

• Operate and monitor various sterilization equipment (e.g., steam autoclaves, ethylene oxide gas sterilizers, hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilizers)
• Perform and document biological, chemical, and mechanical sterilization checks to ensure efficacy
• Understand and follow parameters for different sterilization methods based on item composition

Storage and Distribution

• Store sterile items in controlled environments to maintain integrity
• Issue sterile supplies to departments using FIFO (First-In, First-Out) inventory systems
• Maintain accurate records of inventory, sterilization cycles, and equipment maintenance