Back to jobs
NHS Borders

NHS Borders

Decontamination Technician

Melrose On-site 0-2 yrs exp Hospitals and Health Care 668 employees
DecontaminationMedical instrument processingHandling sharpsSterilizationOperating autoclaves

Requirements

The role requires a highly motivated individual capable of performing physical tasks such as pushing trolleys and handling heavy equipment. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

Job Description

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

Compassion Kindness Integrity Teamwork Excellence

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team in the Area Sterilising & Decontamination Department (ASDU) located in the Borders General Hospital. The department sterilises and processes medical instruments and equipment for all areas of NHS Borders. This post comes with the opportunity to gain further education and qualifications in the field of Decontamination. We are looking for a highly motivated person to join our team.

On a daily basis, staff members are required to handle reusable medical devices, including sharps, many of which are contaminated with blood and bodily fluids. Staff are also required to handle heavy instrument trays, push trolleys within the different areas of the department, load/unload/run and test washers and autoclaves and deliver sterile product throughout the Hospital.

Shifts will be 36hrs, 4 days per week, covering the department from 07:00 18:00 with additional coverage on Saturday mornings.

For more information, please contact Donald Sands (ASDU Manager) on 01896 826092, or Gavin Train (Deputy Manager) on 01896 826090

Whether you’re early in your career or looking to take the next step into a more senior role, NHS Borders offers a supportive environment where you can grow, influence change, and make a real impact.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.

As part of the pre-employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre-settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK website.

For specific types of post, if you do not have the necessary eligibility to work in the UK, it might be possible (though not guaranteed) to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licenced Sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or ‘going rate’. Further information on these criteria can be found.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsoredBEFORE submitting your application form

  • PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept late applications so please ensure your application is submitted early***

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your applicationbut your answers must be your own.

  • Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
  • Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
  • Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand younot an AI tool.

Education

Professional Certificate

Skills

DecontaminationMedical instrument processingHandling sharpsSterilizationOperating autoclavesOperating washersMedical device handlingManual handlingQuality testing

About NHS Borders

This account is not monitored 24/7 - for health advice speak to your GP or call NHS 24 on 111 if your GP Practice is closed.