Sterile Services Technician
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital Queenstown
Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital (SCCLH) received its first patients in January 2022 and has steadily developed a broad range of specialty surgery covering both private and public patients. The joint venture ownership between Southern Cross Healthcare and Central Lakes Trust ensures leading clinical service delivery whilst maintaining a genuine focus to provide healthcare services closer to home for general population of Central Otago.
Mō te Tūranga | About the Role
Join our dynamic Theatre team and play a key role in delivering safe, high‑quality surgical care through best‑practice sterilising services. As a Sterile Services Technician, you’ll be central to our clinical operations, managing the complete reprocessing cycle of reusable medical devices — from decontamination and inspection to testing, assembly, packaging, sterilisation, and distribution.
Your accuracy and dedication to quality will ensure all instruments meet the highest safety standards before being released to clinical teams. You’ll confidently operate sterilisers and specialised processing equipment, validate sterilisation parameters, maintain essential documentation, and support repair and recall processes when required. Just as importantly, you’ll work collaboratively within a supportive team environment, contribute to the development and review of local procedures, and share your expertise to continuously improve practice standards.
This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in precision, values continuous improvement, and understands the direct impact that exceptional sterile services have on patient outcomes. You’ll be supported to develop your career through ongoing professional development, PDRP participation, and engagement with the New Zealand Sterile Science Association.
This is a full-time, permanent position based at Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital, Queenstown.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
- Experience working in a Sterilising Department, with sound knowledge of instrumentation and reprocessing workflows
- Ability to safely handle contaminated instruments, including cleaning, disassembly, inspection, testing, packaging, and sterilisation
- Knowledge of infection prevention and control principles, quality assurance, and best‑practice documentation
- Familiarity with AS 5369:2023 and sterile services standards (or willingness to develop this knowledge)
- Understanding of the mechanical operation of reprocessing and sterilisation equipment
- High attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced clinical environment
- Strong communication skills, a positive team focus, and confidence seeking guidance when needed
- Competent computer skills, particularly in MS Windows–based systems
- Willing to study and obtain NZ Certificate in Sterilisation Level 4 (or equivalent)
Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:
- Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package.
- Health & Wellbeing: Funded health insurance, a comprehensive wellbeing programme, and generous Christmas/New Year breaks.
- Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee Network.
Ko wai matou | Our Organisation
At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear: to advance quality healthcare across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our values shape everything we do:
- Care First – We lead with compassion, delivering care that’s deeply human through genuine manaakitanga.
- Better Together – Collaboration is our strength. We unite diverse skills and perspectives to create better outcomes for all.
- Pursue Excellence – We strive to improve, innovate, and excel every day—never settling, always aiming to deliver our best.
We’re proud to bring together over 4,000 skilled professionals—including 2,000 nurses and anaesthetic technicians—working alongside more than 1,200 specialists, surgeons, anaesthetists, and allied health experts. Together, we’re one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and most trusted healthcare providers.
Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai | Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and foster a culturally safe environment that reflects manaakitanga and values the unique perspectives of our people. Our core value, Better Together, guides our goal to build a workforce that mirrors the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.
If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@schl.co.nz for a confidential conversation.
Haere mai, ā, mā te mahi tahi ka whai wāhi ki tētahi mea whai take, ka āwhina i ngā tāngata ki te whai oranga mā te whakaaro anō ki te tautiaki hauora
Join us, and together, each of us can be part of something important, helping people live their best lives by reimagining healthcare.
Casey, Sterile Services Department at Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital
Do you have Sterile Services experience?
We are always looking for individuals experienced in Sterile Services to join our team. If you are a detailed orientated team player, with excellent communication skills, and would like to be considered for future roles at Southern Cross hospitals, let us know.
Express your interest in Sterile Services roles >
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Casey, Sterile Services Department at Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital