Sterile Services Technician

WWL; Horwich; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting Sterile Services Technicians at the Lostock site. No previous experience is required. We have five full-time vacancies for 11pm-7am and five for 3pm-11pm, 37.5 hours per week, with salary £25,760–£27,476 per year pro rata.

The role involves decontamination of medical devices, working across multiple process areas, and adhering to quality and safety standards. NHS values and continuous training are emphasised.

Qualifications

• GCSE standard or NVQ level 2.
• National Decontamination Certificate.
• NHS experience or experience in healthcare setting.
• Speak English to an appropriate standard.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminate high value and complex reusable medical devices.
• Operate washer disinfectors/sterilisers and maintain records.
• Work across four sterile service process areas.
• Train new starters and support procedures as required.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

IT skills

English language

Education

GCSE / NVQ Level 2

National Decontamination Certificate

Tools

Getinge IMS Track & Trace System

Job description

Main area Support Services Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent: x5 vacancies working Monday-Friday 11pm-7am 37.5 hours per week & x5 vacancies working Monday-Friday 3pm-11pm 37.5 hours per week Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (x5 vacancies working Monday-Friday 11pm-7am 37.5 hours per week & x5 vacancies working Monday-Friday 3pm-11pm 37.5 hours per week) Job ref 302-26-8316175E

Site Sterile Services Decontamination Unit, Unit 10, Cranfield Road, Lostock, BL6 4SB Town Lostock Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/11/2026 08:00

People at the Heart. One Team. Your Career at WWL.

Job overview

We are offering you the opportunity to become part of our team at the Sterile Services & Decontamination Unit, Lostock, Bolton as a Sterile Services Technician -NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

We have the following full-time vacancies available:

• x5 vacancies working Monday-Friday 11pm-7am 37.5 hours per week
• x5 vacancies working Monday-Friday 3pm-11pm 37.5 hours per week

*Applicants who have already received feedback that they are unsuitable for the position need not apply - unless they have taken steps to strengthen their application or gained further experience since that decision. *

Please note that this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS ROLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SPONSORSHIP.

Main duties of the job

The Sterile Services Technician is responsible for providing effective safe and efficient decontamination (washing, disinfection and sterilisation) of a broad range of reusable medical devices with complex specialist demands including devices of varied design which are of a delicate and valuable nature (more than £75k) for use in direct patient care.

The role will require the job holder to work across four process areas, wash/disinfection; inspection and packing; sterilisation/dispatch and sterile stores.

Technicians must comply with the essential requirements of the medical device directive (1993/42/EEC).

The Unit is also accredited to BSEN ISO 13485 and maintains a quality management system to this standard and requires the Sterile Services Technician to maintain and update records and databases for traceability of reusable medical instruments in accordance with quality control and accreditation.

Working for our organisation

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that ‘happy staff, makes for happy patients’. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement and living our values.

• People at the Heart
• Listen and Involve
• Kind and Respectful

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. We are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To undertake an intensive 6-9 month supported training programme within the Sterile Services Decontamination unit and achieve an appropriate level of competency and understanding of decontamination sciences.
• To be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, dexterity and accuracy in decontaminating high value and complex reusable medical devices which includes dismantling, oiling and reassembling; cleanliness checking, functionality of equipment; packing and sterilisation before distribution to customers in accordance with Quality Management systems, health and safety and relevant legislation.
• Undertake on-going development training as required, including annual ‘Test Your Knowledge’ assessment to maintain technical knowledge and skills in-line with reusable medical device and legislative changes. Achieve the required standard of competency in the annual test your knowledge in line with Quality, health and safety and relevant legislation.
• To carry out the receipt, disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, packing and sterilization of reusable medical devices. Record all tasks using the Getinge IMS Track & Trace System.
• During the disassembly process identify any defects with the instrument set, problem solve and elevate where appropriate to the relevant manager. Receiving equipment for processing. Certify to this effect on check sheets and to the appropriate Policy.
• To identify and follow procedure for instruments in need of repair, including completion of relevant paperwork.
• Working autonomously reassemble a broad range of reusable medical devices with complex specialist demands, function checking where appropriate including lubrication and testing of power tools. Certify and sign off successful quality assurance.
• Work independently within standard operating procedures, health and safety, infection prevention and control and other relevant legislation to minimise any risks of exposure to high risk contaminated reusable medical devices.
• The operation of washer disinfectors/sterilisers plus the maintenance of production/test records for the washer disinfectors/sterilisers and other equipment records necessary for the processing of surgical instruments and equipment.
• Compile processed equipment into delivery schedules and record issues to all wards and theatres.
• Maintain the required cleanliness of workstations, sinks, trolleys and other equipment.
• To report any difficulties and infringements with machinery as they arise and elevate to Team Leader.
• To report any accidents to the Team Leader or Operational Management.
• To assist and support with the training of new starters and implementation of procedures when required.
• Ability to plan own workloads to meet the demands of customers and key performance indicators whilst consistently achieving high quality standards which will be measured by non-conformance reports.
• To operate complex decontamination equipment and carry out routine tests in accordance with the Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedule, Quality Standards and Guidance.
• Replenish raw materials to all areas and inform the managers of any raw material shortages and ensure stock is rotated.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE standard or NVQ level 2.
• National Decontamination Certificate.

Experience

• Working in a team and the ability to communicate with each other effectively.
• Ability to follow instructions accurately, both verbally and written and referring to the senior decontamination staff when necessary.
• Flexible and accepting of change at short notice and with an open mind
• Experience of carrying out task related problem solving and escalating where appropriate
• Supporting new members of a team.
• Basic IT skills
• NHS experience or experience in a healthcare setting.
• Knowledge and experience in decontamination or infection prevention.
• Experience of working in process environments which conform to relevant and specific processes and procedures e.g. food or pharmaceutical

Skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team across four sterile service process areas.
• Ability to work accurately under pressure and have strong attention to detail.
• Ability to plan own workload to achieve departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) / deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to learn and the ability to retain information.
• Ability to represent the department in a professional manner.
• Punctual.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of a working to standard operating procedures, health and safety, quality management and assurance systems
• A basic understanding of the impacts and consequences that may arise due to equipment of device failure
• Understand the impacts of providing a high standard of service.
• Understanding of infection prevention and control
• Understanding of COSHH

Additional

• Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation.

Using AI when writing job applications
If you choose to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist in writing your application, it’s essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting statement to reflect the skills and experience to match your job application. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting statement is not advocated by Wrightington Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as it could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process. Please refer to the attached "Applying for a role in the NHS guidance" for further information regarding the use of AI.

The Trust reserves the right to close adverts earlier than the stated closing date if there is a high volume of applications.

We endeavour to inform all applicants of the outcome of their application by email or SMS text message.

Guidance on Completing Your Application

Applications are assessed against the person specification. We strongly encourage you to use the supporting information section to demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria, providing clear examples where possible.

On-Call

Please note that some roles may require participation in an on-call rota, particularly those that are operational in nature.

WWL is part of the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. We recognise continuous or ‘unbroken’ service from any Greater Manchester Local Authority, NHS organisation, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This ensures access to our service-related benefits.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name Emma Brady Job title Senior Secretary Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 0300 707 2723 Additional information

Steph Potts - Operations Manager

[e-mail]