Sterile Service Technician

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Coventry is hiring a Sterile Service Technician for a 12-month fixed term role, crucial for the decontamination and reprocessing of surgical equipment. Ideal candidates will possess a keen eye for detail, work well in teams, and thrive in a high-demand environment. Full training will be provided, making this an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to develop their skills in a vital healthcare sector. Join a dedicated team that supports surgical services 365 days a year.

Qualifications

• Experience in a sterile services environment is advantageous but not required.
• Flexibility and a strong work ethic are essential.
• Candidates must be able to follow specific instructions after training.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminate and reprocess reusable surgical equipment.
• Sort used equipment according to decontamination categories.
• Participate in daily housekeeping and equipment preparation checks.
• Use autoclaves to sterilize devices and ensure cleaning processes are validated.
• Package instruments according to departmental specifications.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Ability to focus

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Sterile Service Technician

The closing date is 28 December 2025

A fixed term, full time vacancy for the Sterile Service Technician role is now available at UHCW NHS Trust. The successful candidate will work as part of a dedicated and hard-working team in the decontamination and reprocessing of reusable medical devices within the Sterile Services Department.

If you are flexible, hard working and have a keen eye for detail, come and join the team that keeps the surgical services throughout the Trust going, saving lives 365 days a year.

This is a fixed term 12 month contract to cover Maternity Leave. There may be an opportunity to become a permanent member of the team depending on circumstances at the end of the fixed term.

Please be advised that sponsorship is not eligible for this post.

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

Secondment will be considered for internal candidates - If you are successful after interview, you must obtain approval from your current line manager to accept the offer.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

We decontaminate, reprocess and return all reusable surgical equipment from UHCW NHS Trust and various other facilities - over 200 000 items a year, from single instruments up to surgical sets containing 100+ instruments.

Previous experience of working within a sterile services environment would be advantageous but not essential, as full training will be given by our experienced training team.

The ideal candidates will:

• Be diligent in their work
• Possess the ability to focus and avoid distractions
• Be team players but also confident working on their own initiative
• Be confident in closely following specific work instructions once trained

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job responsibilities

• Collect used equipment from service users in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with departmental and Trust procedures.
• Sort used equipment by decontamination category as specified by departmental procedures.
• Participate in daily housekeeping and equipment preparation checks in accordance with Trust and national standards.
• Undertake daily user tests & approvals as required on washer-disinfectors
• Undertake cleaning of medical devices by the use of washer-disinfectors or manually where required using personal protective equipment provided.
• Be able to recognise all surgical instruments and identify trays used within the trust once full competence training is completed.
• Examination of cleaned devices to validate cleaning processes.
• Assemble instruments and checking for safety and correct function in accordance with departmental procedures, specifications and best practice.
• Ensure cleanliness / follow clean room dress procedures and dress codes in the rest of the department and hospital.
• Package instruments as specified in the clean room.
• Maintain correct work patterns in dirty and clean zones of the sterile supply unit and conform to clean room requirements as per operational directives.
• Use of autoclaves to sterilize devices ensuring cycle runs meet prescribed parameters and undertaking daily user tests as required following training.
• Receipt of equipment requisitions from service users, preparation, dispatch and transportation to destination ensuring correct delivery of items.
• Maintain stocks of process / raw materials and identify any deficiencies to department supervisors.
• Assist with stock inventory checks in accordance with Trust and departmental procedures.
• Ascertain priorities during times of peak workload by discussion with departmental supervisors.
• Comply with departmental systems for signing off items assembled/checked and adhering completely to the use of tracking and traceability systems and documentation.
• Take part in on call rota once competence training is completed.
• Ensure that departmental policies are followed to ensure departmental registration to European quality standards for sterile services.

For further details please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Experience

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Qualification / Training

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Knowledge

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Skills & Abilities

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Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

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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

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire