Sterile Services Technician

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Swindon; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Swindon is looking for a Sterile Services Technician to support the decontamination and delivery of surgical instrument packs. This is a key non-patient facing role that requires attention to detail and teamwork. Candidates with good general education, NVQ in Decontamination, and a full UK driving licence will thrive in this busy environment. The position offers extensive training and an opportunity to work in a dynamic team focused on quality service delivery.

Qualifications

• Good general education at GCSE Level or equivalent.
• NVQ in Decontamination.
• Experience working in a Hospital environment and with Quality Management systems.

Responsibilities

• Collecting, receiving, checking and washing all surgical instruments/medical devices.
• Delivering and collecting clean and used Endoscopes from local sites.
• Checking and assembling medical devices for sterilisation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Teamwork

Education

Good general education at GCSE Level or equivalent

NVQ in Decontamination

Tools

Wassenburg AER's

Job description

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Sterile Services Technician

The closing date is 10 November 2025

The Sterile Services (HSDU) at the Great Western Hospital supports the activity of the operating theatres, endoscopy, clinic areas, community dentistry, podiatry services and external customers.

The individuals who work for us are some of the best available; we now have an opportunity to expand our team. This is not a patient‑facing role but is very much patient focused and the patient is at the core of everything we do.

The environment is busy and active and you will need to be able to respond to the ‘peaks and troughs’ of the work to support the service. The instruments are used in operations and so an ability to deal with the sight of blood is necessary.

This role requires you to have current right to work in the UK which enables you to undertake the role without need of sponsorship. Accordingly, we regret that any application will not be considered if this requirement is not met. Given the current UK immigration requirements this role is not eligible for sponsorship, and it is not possible for the Trust to sponsor applicants for a visa for this role

Main duties of the job

The team are responsible for the decontamination, checking, assembly, packing, sterilisation and delivery of surgical instrument packs to both internal and external customers and we need more individuals to cover the growing service demand.

You will need to be able to enjoy detailed work, be prepared and able to learn the names of surgical instruments, work within a department that uses standard operating procedures and a Quality Management System and become part of a committed, strong team. We pride our self on our quality and the service we provide for patients.

Any experience of working in a decontamination, cleaning or sterilisation environment will be an advantage but not a necessity as we provide a very extensive training package, a full UK driving licence is required as we also provide transportation for some external customers.

Collection, Decontamination, Packing, Sterilising and dispatch of Medical Devises throughout the Trust site.

About us

Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined‑up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Job responsibilities

1. Collecting, receiving, checking and washing of all surgical instruments/medical devices from clinical areas.

2. Delivering and collecting clean and used Endoscopes from local sites using Trust vehicle.

3. The checking and assembly of medical devices across the full range of surgical specialties using Departmental Standard Operating Procedures with speed and accuracy prior to sterilisation.

4. Providing and receiving routine information and working co‑operatively with your work colleagues in exchanges of information.

5. To carry out all duties in accordance with Departmental Policies.

6. Demonstrate activities to new staff during their training.

7. Responsibility for organising one’s own day‑to‑day work tasks and making judgement on job related facts and situations.

8. Work within the departmental quality management system ensuring accurate record keeping and written process is followed correctly.

9. Visit the wards and departments to requisition and deliver sterile supplies and to cover when necessary the delivery of External customers packs.

10. To store and rotate sterile packs in the Sterile Store to ensure rapid turnover. QD29 Revision 4 24.09.20

11. Putting up of stock for customers outside of The Trust.

12. To be aware of the Health & Safety at Work Act etc. ensuring that as an employee the provisions of the Act are met.

13. It will be required that all employees comply with the Trusts Immunisation Policy which includes immunisation against Hepatitis B.

Please find attached a full job description and personal specification

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good general education at GCSE Level or equivalent
• NVQ in Decontamination

Experience

• Packaging and assembly and/or customer services experience
• Working in a Hospital environment
• Previous experience of working with a Quality Management system using Standard operating procedures.
• Use of Wassenburg AER's
• Experience in the disinfection of flexible endoscopes

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.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust