Sterile Services Assistant

NHS; Poole; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service provider located in Poole is recruiting two Sterile Services Assistants to manage the decontamination and sterilisation of surgical instruments. This role requires attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to work both in a team and independently. No prior experience is necessary as comprehensive training will be offered. Successful applicants will work shifts covering days, nights, weekends, and holidays in a friendly department focused on safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Must be able to use a computer system for tracking and tracing.
• Understanding of routine working procedures.
• Knowledge of instruments across a range of surgical specialities.

Responsibilities

• Wash, inspect, pack, and sterilise instruments for use in theatre.
• Ensure decontamination process has been met for clean and safe instruments.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

NVQ 2 or equivalent

Job description

Sterile Services Assistant

The closing date is 19 January 2026

Do you want to work in a busy, friendly department?

An opportunity has arisen within the Sterile Services Department for two Sterile Services Assistants. The Department is responsible for the cleaning, inspection, assembly, packing, sterilising and distribution of instruments and endoscopes to Wards, Departments and Theatres.

We are looking for a friendly, flexible, enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to work in our Department.

You must have a passion for learning and embracing change. Experience is not necessary as training will be given. Applicants must be able to work within a team, but also on their own initiative. They must have a good eye for detail and be able to stand for long periods.

Continuous shift rota including days, lates, nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Unsocial hours are subject to additional payments when specified hours, including nights weekends or bank holidays are undertaken.

Base Location: Alderney Hospital

Interview Date: 28th January 2026

Main duties of the job

• Using departmental procedures and best practice which deliver a timely, efficient and cost effective service that meets legislative requirements, to provide decontaminated surgical instruments and equipment which are fit for purpose.
• Responsible for washing, inspecting, packing and sterilising instruments for use in theatre, wards and departments within the Trust. Ensuring the decontamination process has been met and instruments are clean and safe in the right place at the right time.

About us

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service‑specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women's, DEN, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Job responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ 2 or equivalent in similar industry

Experience

• Be able to use computer system for tracking and tracing
• Understanding a range of routine working procedures

Knowledge

• Knowledge of instruments across a range of surgical specialities

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 Dorset NHS Foundation Trust