Technician - Sterile Services

Cambridge University Hospitals; Cambridge; Remote; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site facilities

Staff travel discounts

Parking subsidies

Flexible working options

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge is recruiting a Main Area Technician for Sterile Services. You will decontaminate, prepare and sterilise reusable medical devices used across operating theatres, wards and clinics. Training is provided and progression to Band 3 is possible after competency completion.

Shift options include 06:00–14:00 and 14:00–22:00 with rotational weekends. This is a full-time or part-time post with flexible hours and 12-week probation.

Qualifications

• Basic standard of education including ability to read, write and understand English
• Numerate and able to follow procedures
• Completion of National Decontamination Practices Programme
• Willing to undertake recognised formal qualification in decontamination
• Experience in a Sterile Services environment (desirable)

Responsibilities

• Undertake decontamination of reusable medical devices including cleaning, inspection, assembly, packing and sterilisation
• Carry out moving and handling tasks and transfer of trays and trolleys
• Operate decontamination equipment (washer disinfectors, sterilisers) per SOPs
• Maintain electronic records and traceability
• Collaborate with colleagues to meet service demands and promote teamwork

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Patient safety

Moving & handling awareness

Decontamination equipment operation

Education

English reading/writing

Numerate

National Decontamination Practices Programme

Willing to pursue formal decontamination qualification

Job description

Main area Technician - Sterile Services Grade Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered) Job ref 180-F-263193

Employer Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Addenbrookes Hospital - Division A Town Cambridge Salary £25,272 - £27,476 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 17/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

Are you a team player with a willingness to learn and develop new skills? Do you have a strong attention to detail and a commitment to supporting safe patient care?

We are recruiting Sterile Services / Decontamination Technicians to join our Central Decontamination Unit. You will be responsible for the decontamination and preparation of reusable medical devices used across operating theatres, wards, clinics, and community services. The role includes regular moving and handling duties, such as transferring instrument trays, loading and unloading equipment, and moving trolleys as part of the decontamination process. Full moving and handling training will be provided.

We have opportunities available for the following shifts: 06:00–14:00 and 14:00–22:00. These roles require rotational weekend working (one weekend every six weeks) and some Bank Holiday shifts (approximately half of the year, depending on allocation). No previous decontamination experience is required, as full training will be provided. You will be supported to complete competency‑based assessments and recognised decontamination training.

You will be recruited at Band 2 if you have not yet completed CUH Competencies. Upon the successful completion of all required training and competencies you will move up to Band 3.

Main duties of the job

Undertake the decontamination of reusable medical devices, including cleaning, inspection, assembly, packing, and sterilisation.

Carry out regular moving and handling tasks, including lifting, pushing, pulling, and transferring trays, containers, and trolleys in accordance with training and risk assessments.

Operate decontamination equipment such as washer disinfectors sterilisers and Endoscopy Washer Disinfectors in line with Standard Operating procedures.

Maintain accurate records using electronic tracking and traceability systems.

Work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure service demands are met.

Provide a high standard of service delivery, promoting good team work including the organisation of production activity between fellow Technicians within sections of the department to ensure that the needs of user departments are met.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 17th November 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 2nd and 3rd December 2026 - Please note that interviews will be held in person at Addenbrooke's Hospital. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer online or virtual interview options for this role.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12‑week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.
As there is a 12‑week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full‑time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full‑time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
As per Home Office guidelines, please be aware that, unfortunately, the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this position.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on‑site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose‑created colleague‑only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work‑life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Basic standard of education including an ability to read, write and understand English
• To be numerate
• Completion of National Decontamination Practices Programme
• Willing to undertake recognised formal qualification in decontamination

Experience

• Working as part of a team
• Experience of working in a production line type environment
• Experience in a Sterile Services Department
• Experience of working with medical instrumentation
• Experience of working in a clean room environment
• Working with ISO standards
• Working in a medical environment
• NHS Experience

Knowledge

• Understanding of the need to produce work of a consistent high quality
• Knowledge of quality standards and procedures relating to Sterile Services
• Understanding of moving and handling techniques

Skills

• Ability to follow prescribed standards and operational procedures
• Ability to work independently and without constant direct supervision
• Ability to record and relay information accurately including required documentation
• An ability to use a computer and keyboard
• Ability / willingness to lead a team

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
• A polite and courteous telephone manner
• Commitment to high standard of quality work

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.