| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Allied Health |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | OT In-Charge |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 1 to 5 years in operation theatres |
OT Technician job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: OT Technician
Department: Allied Health
Reports to: OT In-Charge
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An OT Technician prepares the operation theatre and supports the surgical team during procedures. They set up instruments and equipment, maintain sterility, assist as scrub or circulating technician, and manage instrument counts and sterilisation. The role reports to the OT In-Charge or anaesthetist. A good OT technician keeps the theatre ready and sterile, hands instruments smoothly during surgery, gets every count right, and follows sterilisation and safety exactly so patients are protected.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare the operation theatre, set up instruments, and check equipment before each case.
- Set up and maintain the sterile field and scrub in as the surgery requires.
- Assist the surgeon by passing instruments and anticipating the next step.
- Perform and record swab, instrument and needle counts before and after surgery.
- Support the anaesthetist with monitoring and equipment during induction and recovery.
- Clean, pack and sterilise instruments and manage the autoclave cycle.
- Position patients safely and support infection control in the theatre.
- Manage theatre consumables, implants and stock for the day's list.
- Handle specimens correctly and send them labelled to the lab.
- Maintain theatre equipment, report faults for repair and keep the room ready.
Requirements
- Diploma or BSc in Operation Theatre Technology
- Hands-on theatre training
- BLS certification is an advantage
- 1 to 5 years in operation theatres
KRAs and KPIs for a OT Technician
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Theatre readiness | Theatre and instruments ready before every scheduled case |
| Count accuracy | Swab and instrument counts correct on every case with no discrepancy |
| Sterility | Sterilisation and sterile field protocols followed with no breach |
| Infection control | Surgical site infection risk kept low through strict theatre protocols |
| Turnaround | Theatre turnaround between cases within the target time |
| Equipment | Theatre equipment maintained with faults reported before breakdown |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Surgical instruments, Autoclave, Electrocautery unit, Suction and monitors, Sterile drapes and trays.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior OT Technician, OT In-Charge, CSSD Supervisor
Interview questions for a OT Technician
- How do you set up and maintain a sterile field for a procedure?
- How do you carry out and record a swab and instrument count?
- What do you do if a count does not tally at the end of surgery?
- How do you sterilise instruments and confirm the autoclave cycle worked?
- How do you anticipate what the surgeon needs next during an operation?
- Tell me about a time your alertness prevented a problem in theatre.
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What does an OT technician do?
An OT technician prepares the operation theatre and supports the surgical team. They set up instruments and equipment, maintain the sterile field, assist as scrub or circulating technician, and manage swab and instrument counts and sterilisation. They keep the theatre ready and sterile and support the anaesthetist, protecting the patient throughout surgery.
What is the difference between an OT technician and an OT assistant?
An OT technician is trained to scrub in, handle instruments and maintain the sterile field during surgery, and manages counts and sterilisation. An OT assistant supports with cleaning, positioning and moving patients and equipment. The technician has a clinical, sterile role in the procedure, while the assistant provides broader support.
What qualifications do you need to be an OT technician?
Most OT technicians hold a diploma or BSc in operation theatre technology and train in real theatres. Employers look for skill in instrument handling and sterile technique, reliable swab and instrument counts, careful sterilisation, and the ability to anticipate the surgeon's needs. Calmness and teamwork under pressure are essential.