Novel approach to recruitment recognised during International Sterile Sciences Day

Hospitals are busy places. Even the most routine surgery requires a long list of actions to be undertaken to ensure things work from start to finish, with many more steps than most would be aware.

Sterile Services are a vital team behind the scenes that make sure that thousands of items, such as surgical instruments and other reusable medical devices are clean and sterilised ready for use. It’s a critical part in the successful functioning of a hospital, but like many areas of healthcare at the moment, it’s a department challenged to recruit enough staff.

However, as we celebrate International Sterile Sciences Day on 10 April, it’s great to know that Southern Cross Healthcare has been actively responding to this recruitment challenge by supporting staff to gain the skills required to undertake this important work.

Within Southern Cross Healthcare’s wholly owned hospitals, there are almost 70 technicians qualified in sterilising technology, and a further 27 trainees. Part of developing trainees career pathway is that they undertake the NZ Certificate in sterilising technology (level 4) which can lead to the Diploma in sterilising technology (level 5).

“Each of the trainees has a preceptor that provides guidance as they learn, many focus on learning one area before being moved to the next” says Sharon Moss, National Sterile Services Manager.

“Their learning covers the full range of skills required to carry out the work of a qualified technician. It’s fantastic when we see our trainees gain their NZ Certificate in sterilising technology qualification.”

Sterile Services training includes:

• Loan equipment – Reprocess a large amount of loan instrumentation, checking each device against the supplier checklist and rechecking and returning once surgery has finished
• Decontamination room activities – include categorising medical devices into cleaning pathways and the use of a Surgical instrument washer disinfector, and ultrasonic cleaning equipment.
• Inspection and Packing area: Conducting inspection under magnification, insulation testing, function testing and checking instruments, naming instruments and sets, and using a selection of sterile barrier systems.
• Sterilisation: Operating autoclave steam and low-temperature sterilisers.
• Storage: Safe sterile storage of equipment and instrumentation.

Two of the current group of trainees working and learning are Roli (Jed) Macauling and Joe Redosendo.

Roli (Jed) came to Southern Cross Healthcare’s North Harbour Hospital without any background in Sterile Services, having been a banker in his home country of the Philippines.

“My colleagues, and other staff are very warm, supportive and accommodating” says Roli (Jed).

“Currently, I’m studying the New Zealand Certificate in Sterilising Technology (level 4) and will be finishing at the end of May. This endeavour is helping me become more knowledgeable inside the Sterile Services Department (SSD), and will give me the confidence to undertake preceptorship for the new staff coming to SSD.”

Joe is also based at North Harbour and says he is grateful to have the opportunity to work in Sterile Services, as he too had no experience in sterilisation when he applied.

“My journey through the years since 2021 being a sterile technician has been full of learnings. I must say that it is challenging yet fulfilling and rewarding as I enjoy and love the work that I do. I am also thankful to Southern Cross Healthcare for giving me the opportunity to study. With this training, I am able to further improve my knowledge and enhance my skills in sterilisation."

According to Sharon and the senior members of her Sterile Services team, recruiting outside of healthcare has been an invaluable initiative.

“We’ve had people from all sorts of backgrounds join us and begin developing careers in healthcare. The skills required can be taught, what we look for are the types of people keen to learn and be part of an important step within the hospital environment.”

Visit our careers section to learn more about the vacancies available at Southern Cross Healthcare and Southern Cross Hospitals.