Sterile Services Technician
The closing date is 01 March 2026
A vacancy has arisen in the Sterile Services Department at St. Peter's Hospital for a Technician for a 12‑month fixed‑term contract. A Sterile Services Technician is responsible for providing effective, safe and efficient collection, decontamination (washing, disinfection and sterilisation) and distribution of reusable medical devices with complex speciality demands, including devices of varied design that are of a delicate and valuable nature for use in direct patient care. You should have a working understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and be computer literate to undertake online training where required. You are also required to have a clear understanding of the consequences that may arise due to equipment failure and a good level of understanding concerning the clinical use of the equipment undergoing decontamination.
Main duties of the job
The Decontamination and Sterile Services Technician is responsible for effective, safe and efficient collection, decontamination (washing, disinfection and sterilisation) and distribution of reusable medical devices with complex speciality demands. The Sterile Services Department maintains a quality management system (ISO 13485:2016). Technicians must comply with the essential requirements of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (SI618 as amended). Duties include maintaining and updating records and databases for traceability, testing, validating and operating highly technical and sensitive decontamination equipment, recording and reporting faults, undertaking quality checks for cleanliness and functionality, collecting and accepting delivery of used equipment from all customers (including external agencies), dealing with queries via telephone and in‑person, checking equipment and documentation before selecting correct decontamination processes, and adhering to policies and procedures within the Department/Trust.
About us
Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people in North‑West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond. Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites in Ashford (Surrey) and St. Peter's (Chertsey, Surrey). We also run many specialist clinics in the community and other healthcare facilities.
Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around patient care.
We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital and moving towards creating a dedicated elective centre, a state‑of‑the‑art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures.
We can offer the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:
* Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
* On‑site nurseries
* On‑site staff cafés
* On‑site parking
* Salary sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work schemes and home electronics
Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
For more information about a career at ASPH please visit: www.asph-careers.org
Job responsibilities
Wash Room
To test and operate highly technical and sensitive disinfection equipment, diagnose daily test results on washer disinfectors, receive and record sets and instruments using manual and IT systems, sort and identify instruments, check for functionality, raise non‑conformance reports, follow Trust policy (e.g. sharps) and report incidents. Process unique specialist surgical loan instruments, ensure correct handling, and use appropriate decontamination processes for sensitive equipment. Deal with customer queries and reschedule workload as fast‑track items are received. Use manual recording and IT systems to provide traceability of instruments and devices. Mentor and train new colleagues and less experienced staff.
To test and operate highly technical and sensitive disinfection equipment, diagnose daily test results on machinery, record and process the test results and demonstrate compliance. Decontaminate endoscopy apparatus of varied design, prioritise workload depending on customer requirements to ensure minimal disruption to patient care, push/manoeuvring trolleys and manually handle endoscopes and stock. Receive and document equipment, check documentation against deliveries for accuracy, and record non‑conformances where necessary.
Clean room
Test and record results of heat sealer function, undertake quality checks for cleanliness and functionality before packing to agreed specifications, ensure an effective sterile field, handle customer queries and reschedule workload. Perform visual checks on all wash cycles to ensure correct parameters; if parameters are not achieved, wash load is failed on IT systems and returned for reprocessing. Record and process test results and demonstrate compliance. Comply with gowning room procedure. Test all sterilisers within the department according to departmental quality control procedures, record and process test results, raise decontamination documents for returned loan sets and repairs, process and deliver fast‑track sets to meet customer demands, and record sets and instruments using manual and IT systems.
Sterile Stores / Check and delivery
Receive and document goods and equipment, check delivery notes against goods, record non‑conformances, keep areas clean and tidy, maintain a safe and compliant environment, prioritise workload, categorise sets and instruments into appropriate storage areas for dispatch, ensure stock rotation, and decontaminate all equipment going for repair.
Training
SSD staff receive practical and theoretical decontamination training to develop extensive knowledge of medical devices and their functions, including decontamination principles, practical application and technical aspects of the service. Training also includes the internal programme and any other relevant training required for this position.
Communication
Staff communicate with colleagues and customers at all levels, including senior clinicians and management. Telephone enquiries are handled concisely and appropriately; written communication is maintained within the department (quality system documents, Trust safe code reporting system). A courteous and helpful approach is demonstrated to visitors and colleagues. Incidents and relevant information are reported to a supervisor immediately. Participation in working group sessions relating to health and safety, quality system, personnel, training, innovation and change management is required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent
* E‑learning in decontamination of flexible endoscopes
Experience
* Experience of working as part of a team
* Some experience of maintaining job‑specific equipment
* Broad knowledge of equipment cleaning, decontamination and sterilisation procedures
* Understanding of consequences that may arise due to equipment or device failure
* Understanding of infection control
* A good level of understanding concerning the clinical use of the equipment undergoing decontamination
Skills
* Attention to detail for packing and checking
Other requirements
* Clear written and spoken English
* Willingness to work in unpleasant working conditions including exposure to bodily fluids
* Ability to work all shifts including weekends
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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