Training centre, Eastwood Park, says it is already receiving considerable interest from managers of sterile services departments in one of its most recent new work-based learning initiatives – an Edexcelaccredited BTEC Certificate in the decontamination of reusable medical instruments.
Lisa Slevin, Eastwood Park’s new work-based learning manager, says: “We are already receiving a real interest from SSD managers who want on-the-job support, particularly now that there is no longer an NVQ in place. We will be working more closely than before with the managers and their staff to support them throughout, enabling them to achieve the essential standards required.” Suitable for SSD technicians and supervisors, the certificate enables such personnel to obtain an appropriate accreditation proving competence in their roles. Eastwood Park says this means they will be ‘working to the latest national standards while also developing additional skills, knowledge, and understanding, of all aspects of the decontamination cycle’. Learners will be able to demonstrate their competence in six units:
• Collection of used equipment from a designated collection point.
• Sorting of used equipment and disposal of waste from returned items.
• Preparation, loading, and operation of decontamination equipment.
• Preparation of reusable medical devices for sterilisation.
• Carrying out of sterilisation and product release of reusable medical devices.
• Monitoring and randomly making checks on equipment, and functions, and recording results.
