Trainee Sterilisation Technician

NHS; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the UK is looking for a Trainee Sterilisation Technician to work within the RVI and Freeman Hospitals. This physically demanding role involves reprocessing medical devices for surgical use. Applicants will start on Band 2, with opportunities for advancement. Candidates should possess good communication skills, basic IT knowledge, as well as health and safety awareness. Training is provided to help staff progress in their roles. The position requires adherence to Trust policies and flexible service needs.

Qualifications

• Ability to work under direction in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Previous hospital or sterile service experience is beneficial.
• Insight into use and care of machinery.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the processing and preparation of surgical instruments.
• Reprocess endoscopes in endoscopy SSD.
• Achieve the Sterile Services Department Decontamination Training Programme.

Skills

Good communication skills

Basic IT knowledge

Health and safety knowledge

Willingness to learn

Education

English and Maths at Level 1 or equivalent

English and Maths at Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

Applications are invited for the post of Sterile Services Department, Trainee Sterilisation Technician based within the RVI and Freeman Hospitals. This role involves working under direction of a team of supervisors as part of a larger team to reprocess medical devices for use in theatres, wards and the community.

Successful applicant will start on a BAND 2 and progress to a BAND 3 on successful completion of the in‑house training programme.

Please be aware this is a physically demanding role and we would strongly advise any interested applicants to contact the department to arrange an informal discussion and departmental visit.

The closing date is 14 December 2025

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

• Interview Date: 6 January 2026
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of a team of Sterilisation Technicians to assist with the efficient processing and preparation of contaminated re‑useable surgical instrumentation for use in the hospital operating theatres, wards and clinics for patient procedures. This will also include the reprocessing of endoscopes in the endoscopy SSD.

Duties include stock control, general housekeeping, record keeping and the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes.

The successful applicant will be trained in all aspects of the role and will be expected to achieve the In‑House Training programme to progress to a band 3.

The successful applicant will have good communication skills, basic IT knowledge, health and safety knowledge, customer care experience and an enthusiastic willingness to learn.

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:

• Freeman Hospital
• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting‑edge care (supported by state‑of‑the‑art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Job responsibilities

Band 2 - Job Purpose

• To work as part of a team of Sterilisation Technicians to assist with the efficient processing and preparation of contaminated re‑useable surgical instrumentation for use in the hospital operating theatres, wards and clinics for patient procedures. Reprocess endoscopes in endoscopy SSD.
• All staff will be required to achieve the Sterile Services Department Decontamination Training Programme.
• Staff will be required to rotate on all five sterile service departments therefore, it is essential that they have knowledge of all clinic/wards theatres equipment.
• To abide by Trust Policies and Procedures.
• Flexible to the needs of the service and shift patterns.

Band 3 - Job Purpose

• To work as part of a team of Sterilisation Technicians, to provide the efficient processing and preparation of contaminated re‑usable surgical instrumentation for use in the hospital operating theatres, endoscopy departments, wards and departments for patients procedures.
• Staff will be required to rotate on all five sterile service departments; therefore it is essential that they have knowledge of all clinic/wards theatres equipment.
• To abide by the Trust Policies and Procedures.
• Contribute to housekeeping and other departmental duties as required, eg general tidiness, pre‑determined stock levels are met and clinical equipment is clean, working and stored correctly.

Person Specification

Band 2

• English and Maths at level 1 or equivalent (GCSE 3-2 or D-E or Functional Key Skills at Level 1)
• Health and safety knowledge
• Basic IT skills
• Good communication skills both written and verbal, ability to relate to all grades of staff
• Able to work under direction as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• English and Maths at Level 2 or equivalent (GCSE 9-4 or A*‑C or Functional Skills Level 2)
• Previous hospital or sterile service experience
• Insight into use and care of machinery

Band 3

• English and Maths at Level 1 or equivalent (GCSE 3-2 or D-E or Functional Key Skills at Level 1).
• Basic IT knowledge.
• Health and Safety knowledge.
• Good communication skills both written and verbal, ability to relate to all grades of staff
• English and Maths at Level 2 or equivalent (GCSE 9-4 or A*‑C or Functional Skills Level 2)
• Previous Sterile Services or Hospital experience.
• Insight into use and care of machinery.
• Completed the Sterile Services Department Decontamination Training Programme
• Knowledge of all clinic/wards theatres equipment.

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.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust