What attracted you to your first job here? What did you do previously?
Previously I worked for a confidential records management company and due to redundancy, I decided to look for a new career. My partner already worked at Ramsay’s Fulwood Hall Hospital and I had heard such good things about Ramsay through her. When an opportunity arose within sterile services for a trainee decontamination technician at the North West hub, I did some research into the Company and the decontamination role, and knew working for Ramsay would be an excellent move for me.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy the feeling that I can make a difference to the outcome for patients by providing the high-quality service that we pride ourselves on. I also enjoy the team spirit within decontamination from the drivers, admin, technicians and management we are a diverse, talented and committed team.
Tell us about a day in the life of a Decontamination Supervisor at Ramsay Health Care UK?
A typical day involves carrying out daily checks to ensure the equipment we use meets the required specifications before use. The instruments arrive from the hospitals, they are then checked and prepped in our decontamination area where they then go through a mechanical washer for disinfection.
The instruments are then checked for cleanliness and correct operation in our Inspection and packing clean room, then packed and wrapped ready for sterilisation. We use steam autoclaves to sterilise the wrapped sets after which the sets are returned to the hospital sterile and ready for use.
I also ensure any urgent instruments and sets are fast tracked to be received by the hospital in a timely manner and answer any queries that may arise. Everyday presents a new and interesting challenge.
Do you have any key achievements that you’d like to share?
Within my first six months of being with Ramsay I took the internal auditing course to become an internal auditor, and I find carrying out internal audits very rewarding. I also embarked upon the IDSc qualification within my first year and received a distinction and a merit.
But by far my biggest achievement to date is being promoted to Decontamination Supervisor within my first three years of working for Ramsay. Which is testament to the training and development opportunities that are provided by Ramsay. And also, the support I have received from the Decontamination Manager at the North West hub Debbie Robinson and Lara Clary the National Decontamination Lead.
For someone looking to move into a Decontamination role with Ramsay Health Care UK, do you have any advice or top tips?
I would say go for it! It is a varied, interesting and rewarding role. Don’t let a lack of experience put you off, I had no experience but was supported the entire time with training and mentoring. There is lots of information on social media such as Facebook and you tube around sterile services and decontamination to find out more about this fantastic career.
What do you enjoy the most about working for Ramsay Health Care UK?
I regard the values of which Ramsay prides itself on very highly. The opportunities for progression and the training available through the Ramsay Academy and the level of support available are fantastic. If you are looking to progress your career within Ramsay you will be supported the whole way.
Current Vacancies
Click here to view the current opportunities within the Ramsay Sterile Services units.
