Sterile services technician

Sterile services technicians clean and decontaminate equipment used in hospital operating theatres, clinics and wards.

Salary range: £17,652 to £23,761

How to become a sterile services technician

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could do a college course like a Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science or A level Biology or Chemistry. This may give you an advantage when applying for a trainee job after you finish.

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could start by taking a healthcare science intermediate apprenticeship or higher apprenticeship for healthcare science associates.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Volunteering and experience

You can get some work experience by volunteering in the NHS. This could help if you apply for an apprenticeship or a job.

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs if you’ve got some of the relevant skills and experience needed for this role.

There are no set requirements but you’ll usually need good literacy and numeracy skills. Some employers may ask for GCSEs or equivalent.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join organisations like The Institute of Decontamination Sciences for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in sterile services from Health Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• sensitivity and understanding
• knowledge of English language
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and requirements

You’ll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• collecting re-usable medical and surgical instruments and devices from wards, clinics and operating theatres
• taking apart pieces of equipment for cleaning
• cleaning and sterilising equipment
• putting equipment pieces back together when sterilised
• checking that all instruments are clean and working properly
• delivering sterile supplies by trolley to wards and departments
• restocking supplies of items like dressings, needles and syringes
• operating a steam sterilising machine

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and humid.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to assistant manager, service manager, head of department or general health service management.