Sterile Sciences Technician - Whangarei

New Zealand Government; Northland; On-site; NZD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Northland Whangarei Hospital is seeking a Sterile Sciences Technician or Trainee to join the Central Sterilising Unit. You will clean, inspect, assemble, sterilise, and prepare instruments and reusable devices for use in patient care.

You will support operating theatres and clinical services across Northland, upholding the highest standards of infection prevention, traceability, and quality in a busy hospital environment.

Qualifications

• Good numeric and literacy skills and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work well within a team and under pressure.
• Willingness to undertake NZQA Level 4 qualification as Trainee.

Responsibilities

• Clean, inspect, assemble and sterilise surgical instruments and devices.
• Support operating theatres and clinical services with traceability and infection control.

Skills

Numeracy skills

Attention to detail

Team player

Reliable and organised

Physical stamina

Education

NZ Certificate in Sterilising Technology (Level 4)

Job description

Sterile Sciences Technician or Trainee Sterilising Technician

Central Sterilising Unit, Whangarei Hospital

Permanent full-time position, working 40 hours per week

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

The Central Sterilising Unit (CSU) plays a critical role in patient care by ensuring surgical instruments and reusable medical devices are cleaned, inspected, sterilised, and supplied safely to clinical areas. Every procedure depends on the quality and reliability of our work.

As a Sterile Sciences Technician or Trainee Sterilising Technician, you will play a vital role in patient safety by ensuring surgical instruments and reusable medical devices are cleaned, inspected, assembled, sterilised, and ready for use. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will support operating theatres and clinical services across Northland while maintaining the highest standards of quality, infection prevention, and traceability.

About the Team/Service/Location

Achieving the best health outcomes for our patients starts with expecting the best from ourselves, and right now Health New Zealand Northland is looking for a motivated individual to join us as a Sterile Sciences Technician or Trainee Sterile Sciences Technician within our Perioperative Services at the Whangarei Hospital.

For more information on living and working in Northland, click here

Essential

• Good numeric and literacy skills
• Have excellent attention to detail
• Take pride in producing high-quality work
• Can work well within a team environment
• Are reliable, organised, and able to work under pressure
• This role is physically demanding, requiring frequent manual handling, occasional heavy lifting, and prolonged periods of standing while maintaining productivity and attention to detail
• Ability to work rostered shifts including nights and weekends
• Hold a New Zealand Certificate in Sterilising Technology (Level 4) or be willing to undertake and successfully complete the NZQA Level 4 qualification while employed as a Trainee Sterilising Technician.

Desired

• Competent Person under Unit Standards 31290.1 and 31293.1
• Effective application of Infection Control principles
• Experience working in a healthcare setting
• Working knowledge of policies and procedures relating to sterilisation processes
• Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community.

We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.