Overview
Decontamination Technician
Department HSDU
Band 3 £24,937 - £26,598 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Decontamination Unit provides a vital service reprocessing surgical instruments for use in all wards and departments within the trust. You will be involved in the cleaning, inspecting, assembling, packing, sterilising and distributing surgical equipment for supply to Wards, Departments, Theatres and Endoscopy.
Successful candidates will require attention to detail and an eagerness and ability to learn. A comprehensive in house training programme is in operation which successful candidates will be expected to take part in and complete.
The role is physically demanding, lifting and handling heavy instrument sets and long periods of standing. It is necessary to transport theatre equipment around the hospital using trolleys.
As a clinical support service the department is operational 6 days a week, supported by an on-call service to meet the demands of the hospital.
Responsibilities
* To communicate with customers at all levels both face to face and by telephone.
* To deal with telephone enquiries as necessary in a concise and appropriate manner, recording all relevant information and acting as appropriate.
* To ensure that verbal and written communication is maintained within the departments.
* Exchange information with work colleagues and service users.
* Demonstrate a courteous and helpful approach to visitors and colleagues.
* Support new employees in the department.
* Required to deliver the set work on time and to the required standard.
* Provide information and demonstrate duties to less experienced staff to assist them in meeting work demands.
* Be able to provide anticipated delivery times of equipment and advise on location of equipment using the traceability system to locate individual sets/equipment.
* Monitor and record daily checks on decontamination equipment, ensuring that any anomalies are escalated to the senior team.
* Isolating faulty equipment for further investigation and recording non-conformances in the approved manner.
* Carry out detailed product release, checking for physical evidence/indication of sterility. Physical properties to be assessed.
* Inspect decontamination equipment (Autoclaves and Washer/Disinfectors) for any change in condition (e.g., steam leaks or build-up of scale).
* Demonstrate a broad knowledge of surgical instruments and be able to identify surgical instruments and advise end users where commonly held instruments/alternatives can be found.
* Monitor decontamination equipment (sterilisers and washer/disinfectors) to ensure that decontamination parameters are met.
* Responsible for final product release – assessing multiple sets of data and physical characteristics to release equipment for surgery.
Qualifications and Requirements
* Attention to detail and a willingness to learn; prior decontamination experience is not required but desired.
* A comprehensive in-house training programme is in operation and participation is expected.
* Physical ability to lift and handle heavy instrument sets and stand for long periods; possible requirement to transport theatre equipment around the hospital using trolleys.
* The role is part of a 6-day-a-week service with on-call support.
Additional Information
* Shift pattern: Early 8:00–16:00, Late 11:00–19:00, Saturday 8:00–16:00 (every other week).
* Interview date: 30 March 2026.
* Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
* Milton Keynes University Hospital is a University Teaching Hospital and part of the Trust’s expanding surgical and robotics programme.
* For further information about Milton Keynes please visit the website as provided in the original description.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details.
This advert closes on Wednesday 18 Mar 2026.
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