Sterile Services Technician

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

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Swindon seeks a Sterile Services Technician to manage the decontamination, sterilization, and delivery of surgical instruments. You will work in a busy environment dedicated to patient care, supported by comprehensive training. The role requires attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure, with qualifications such as a good GCSE education and an NVQ in Decontamination preferred. This is a full-time position offering NHS discounts and onsite training.

Benefits

Onsite training and support

Opportunity for qualification in Decontamination

Occupational Health service

NHS Discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in decontamination, cleaning or sterilization environment advantageous; training provided.
• Full UK driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Collecting, receiving, checking and washing of all surgical instruments/medical devices.
• Delivering and collecting clean and used Endoscopes using Trust vehicle.
• Checking and assembly of medical devices prior to sterilization.
• Maintain records and comply with departmental policies.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ability to learn surgical instrument names

Good communication

Education

Good general education at GCSE Level or equivalent

NVQ in Decontamination

Job description

Sterile Services Technician

The closing date is 30 September 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 that 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.

Please note: This Band 2 role is not available to support sponsorship for skilled worker visas.

Main duties of the job

The team are responsible for the decontamination, checking, assembly, packing, sterilization 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 sterilization 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, Sterilizing 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.

There are benefits of working with us which include;

• Onsite training and support
• The opportunity to gain a nationally recognised Qualification in Decontamination.
• Occupational Health service
• NHS Discounts

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 sterilization.
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 ones 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