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
Hours
You may need to work within a 24-hour shift system, operating seven days a week. You may also cover an on-call rota.
Environment
This work can be physically demanding and involve lifting equipment and pushing heavy trolleys. You'd work in the sterile services department of a hospital, and wear protective clothing such as gloves and face visors. Your working conditions could be humid when operating sterilising equipment.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Decontamination technician'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
Healthcare assistant Occupational therapy support worker Phlebotomist Physiotherapy assistant
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Life sciences
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.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- decontamination units
- medical devices
- disinfecting
- human decontamination
- dental instruments
- decontamination
- dental health
- track and trace
- groundwater
- oral health
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:
Care
Chemistry
Science
Skills for Work: Health Sector
Skills for Work: Laboratory Science
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
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Decontamination technician'
