At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage sterile services, ensuring safe reprocessing of medical devices.
- Company: Specialist Facilities Management supporting NHS services in a multi-site environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent contract, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team dedicated to continuous improvement and safety.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient safety and infection prevention in healthcare.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in sterile services and strong knowledge of decontamination standards.
The predicted salary is between 67993 - 78542 £ per year.
Salary: £67,993 - £78,542 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time
Location: Multi-site NHS acute hospital environment
Closing date: 3 April 2026 - 12:00 noon
About the Organisation
We are a specialist Facilities Management and Property Services organisation supporting NHS services across a complex hospital estate. Decontamination and sterile services are a safety-critical function, underpinning infection prevention and the safe reuse of surgical instruments, endoscopes and other reusable medical devices.
Join Our Team
We are seeking an experienced Head of Decontamination and Sterile Services to lead a high-performing sterile services function and provide senior assurance on decontamination governance across the organisation. This is a strategic and operational leadership role, responsible for quality systems, compliance, workforce capability and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage Sterile Services / Decontamination operations, ensuring safe and effective reprocessing of medical devices for theatres, endoscopy and wider clinical services.
- Ensure compliance with key standards and expectations (including HTM 01-01), and maintain robust audit/validation, documentation and quality management systems.
- Provide expert leadership during service change, refurbishments, capacity planning and capital equipment upgrades.
- Work collaboratively with theatres, endoscopy, infection prevention, procurement and estates colleagues to maintain safe, responsive services across multiple sites.
- Lead workforce planning, training, competence frameworks and performance management; build a culture of continuous improvement and safety.
- Provide senior input into incident investigation, risk assessments and regulatory inspections, ensuring clear assurance reporting and action tracking.
Ideal Candidate
- Significant senior experience in sterile services/decontamination leadership within healthcare (or similarly regulated environment).
- Strong working knowledge of decontamination governance, quality systems, audit/validation and relevant standards (including HTM 01-01).
- Confident leader with excellent stakeholder engagement skills, able to influence across clinical and corporate teams.
Recruitment Timetable
Closing date: 3 April 2026 - 12:00 noon
Interviews: To be confirmed
How to Apply
Please submit CV + supporting statement
Head of Decontamination and Sterile Services employer: Seymour John Ltd
As a leading Facilities Management and Property Services organisation within the NHS, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and safety. Our multi-site environment offers unique opportunities for professional growth in sterile services, with a commitment to continuous improvement and compliance, ensuring that our team members are equipped with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles. Join us to make a meaningful impact in healthcare while enjoying competitive salaries and a focus on work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Decontamination and Sterile Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare sector, especially those involved in sterile services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of HTM 01-01 and other relevant standards. We want you to showcase your expertise and confidence when discussing compliance and quality systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We’ve got all the resources you need to make your application stand out, so take advantage of it and let us help you land that dream job.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Decontamination and Sterile Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of Decontamination and Sterile Services role. Highlight your leadership experience in sterile services and any relevant compliance knowledge to grab our attention!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share examples of your past achievements in decontamination governance and how you've led teams to success.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your confident leadership style! In both your CV and supporting statement, emphasise your ability to engage stakeholders and lead teams effectively. Share stories that demonstrate your influence across clinical and corporate teams.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your CV and supporting statement, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table.
How to prepare for a job interview at Seymour John Ltd
✨Know Your Standards
Familiarise yourself with key standards like HTM 01-01 before the interview. Being able to discuss these in detail will show your expertise and commitment to compliance, which is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your leadership in sterile services or decontamination. Highlight how you've managed teams, improved processes, or led successful projects to demonstrate your capability in this strategic role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve collaborated with various departments in the past. Be ready to share stories that illustrate your stakeholder engagement skills, as this role requires influencing across clinical and corporate teams.
✨Continuous Improvement Mindset
Be prepared to discuss how you've fostered a culture of continuous improvement in previous roles. Share examples of initiatives you've implemented that enhanced safety and efficiency in sterile services.
