Decontamination technician
Make sure that medical equipment is kept clean and safe for use with patients.
Also known as: sterile services technician
About the job
What it's like
You'd play an important role in creating a clean environment for staff and patients in hospital.
Working as part of a team, you'd help make sure medical equipment is kept clean and safe for use with patients. You'd look after items used in hospital wards, clinics or operating theatres.
It's a role that needs a keen eye for detail as you'll follow decontamination guidelines closely. You'll also need to be organised and good at managing your time. Hospitals have lots of departments who'd rely on your expertise, so working efficiently is key!
Once you’ve completed your training, you may also help train junior staff to get them up to speed.
Your tasks might include:
collecting items from wards, clinics and operating theatres
taking apart items for cleaning
cleaning and sterilising all items
putting pieces back together
checking all items work and are clean
delivering sterile items to wards and departments
restocking supplies of items such as dressings and syringes
operating a specialised cleaning equipment
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- reliable
- taking initiative
- managing resources
- attention to detail
- observation
- verbal communication
- reading
- cooperating
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Care
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Chemistry
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Science
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Skills for Work: Health Sector
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Skills for Work: Laboratory Science
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Most employers value a good general education but you don't need formal qualifications. Some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF Level 4 or 5.
You can apply for a trainee role on the NHS Scotland recruitment site.
When you complete your training, you can register to join the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc).
It's useful to have qualifications that show you understand the sector and the need for sterile conditions. For example, Skills for Work: Health Sector or Skills for Work: Laboratory Science.
A driving licence can also be helpful.
As a trainee, you’ll complete the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc) training programme. It's workplace training equivalent to SCQF Level 6. You’ll learn all the skills you need and a mentor will support you throughout.
Once you complete the programme, you’ll sit the IDSc Technical Certificate exam.
You'll need to:
have clear handwriting for labelling the packs
know basic IT skills
have good eyesight for close work
have no skin problems
be physically fit and strong
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