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Useful experience for sterilising technicians includes work in health administration or health services.

Sterilising technicians may do some or all of the following:

• clean and disassemble surgical equipment and instruments
• load, operate and empty washing and sterilising machines
• reassemble and repackage equipment and instruments for different operations
• ensure sterile instruments and equipment are clean and working properly, and are distributed to hospital surgical wards as ordered
• answer customer requests for information about the sterile service
• keep records of sterilised equipment.

Slow turnover of staff, but the occupation is growing

Turnover among sterilising technicians is average due to people tending to stay in the role for at least a few years.

However, sterilsing technician appears on Immigration New Zealand's Green List. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled sterilsing technicians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

Chances of securing a job as a sterilising technician are best if you approach employers directly.

According to the Census, the number of sterilising technicians grew from 552 in 2013 to 696 in 2018.

Sterilising technicians usually work in the health sector

Sterilising technicians usually work for Te Whatu Ora Health NZ, private hospitals and clinics. A few work in other areas such as tattoo parlours, beauty therapy, the military and education providers such as the University of Otago.

New Zealand Sterile Services Association (NZSSA)

nzsterilescienceassoc@gmail.com - www.nzssa.org

Sterilising technicians may progress to become team leaders or anaesthetic technicians.

Sterilising technicians need to be able to:

• pay attention to detail
• follow instructions
• work as part of a team with other health professionals.