Decontamination Technician

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Milton Keynes is seeking a Decontamination Technician to manage the cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments. The role requires strong attention to detail and the ability to work in a physically demanding environment. Successful candidates will benefit from an extensive training program. This position plays a crucial part in ensuring high standards of hygiene and safety within the hospital.

Qualifications

• Willing to train further in Decontamination sciences.
• Understanding of various work procedures and practices.
• Familiar with a process-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the reprocessing and sterilisation of reusable instrumentation.
• Ensure clear communication with customers and colleagues.
• Monitor and record daily checks on decontamination equipment.

Skills

Communication ability

Ability to work independently

Knowledge of surgical equipment

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

GCSE grades A-C or equivalent in 3 core subjects

Job description

Decontamination Technician

Closing date: 10 November 2025

Schedule: Saturday: 8am – 16.00pm – every other week

The Decontamination Unit provides a vital service reprocessing surgical instruments for use in all wards and departments within the trust.

You will be involved in the cleaning, inspecting, assembling, packing, sterilising and distributing surgical equipment for supply to Wards, Departments, Theatres and Endoscopy.

Successful candidates will require attention to detail & an eagerness and ability to learn.

A comprehensive in‑house training programme is in operation which successful candidates will be expected to take part in and complete.

The role is physically demanding, lifting and handling heavy instrument sets and long periods of standing. It is necessary to transport theatre equipment around the hospital using trolleys.

As a clinical support service the department is operational 6 days a week, supported by an on‑call service to meet the demands of the hospital.

Other requirements for this role

• Literacy and numeracy skills
• Good organisational skills
• Confident, outgoing, punctual and flexible
• Basic IT skills
• Insight into the care of delicate and expensive equipment

The unit is compliant to ISO13485 Quality Management System. Previous experience working with a Quality System is desirable but not essential.

Main duties of the job

To assist in the reprocessing and sterilisation of reusable instrumentation for patient use in theatres, wards and departments. These products are classed as medical devices and are subject to regulatory control during manufacture.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

We are a medium‑sized general hospital, providing full‑range general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We also have a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.

Job responsibilities

• Communicate with customers at all levels face‑to‑face and by telephone.
• Deal with telephone enquiries concisely and appropriately, recording all relevant information and acting as appropriate.
• Ensure that verbal and written communication is maintained within the departments.
• Exchange information with work colleagues and service users.
• Demonstrate a courteous and helpful approach to visitors and colleagues.
• Support new employees in the department.
• Deliver the set work on time and to the required standard.
• Provide information and demonstrate duties to less experienced staff to assist them in meeting work demands.
• Deliver anticipated delivery times of equipment and advise on location of equipment using the traceability system to locate individual sets/equipment.
• Monitor and record daily checks on decontamination equipment, ensuring that any anomalies are escalated to the senior team.
• Isolate faulty equipment for further investigation and record non‑conformances in the approved manner.
• Carry out detailed product release, checking for physical evidence/indication of sterility and physical properties assessment.
• Inspect decontamination equipment (autoclaves and washer‑disinfectors) for any change in condition, e.g., steam leaks or build‑up of scale.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• Willing to train further in Decontamination sciences.
• Understanding of a range of work procedures and practices, some of which are non‑routine, requiring a base level of theoretical knowledge. This is normally acquired through formal training or equivalent experience.
• GCSE grades A‑C or equivalent in 3 core subjects.
• Familiar with a process‑driven environment.

Experience

• Ability to work in a team.
• Ability to perform routine tasks in specified standards.
• Ability to work accurately.
• Ability to achieve strict deadlines.
• Ability to problem‑solve.
• Previous sterile services experience.
• Experience of interpreting results for product release.
• Familiar with medical devices / surgical instrumentation.

Skills

• Ability to communicate with all levels of staff.
• Work to standard operational procedures.
• Ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of decontamination protocols.
• Knowledge of the requirements of a QM system.
• Knowledge of equipment including computerized tracking system.
• Knowledge of surgical equipment.

Personal and people development

• Complete training assessments in a timely manner.

Communication

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to absorb and act on instruction.

Specific requirements

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust