STERIS provides an insight into how it empowers safer healthcare through education and inclusive development pathways.
In today’s fast-evolving healthcare landscape, the need for continuous education and professional development has never been more critical. At STERIS, we believe that investing in people – both our own and those of our healthcare partners – is the foundation of exceptional patient care, safety, and service delivery. Across our Instrument Processing Services and Healthcare segment, we are proud to champion a culture of lifelong learning, empowering our teams and customers alike through structured training, clinical education, and inclusive development pathways.
Investing in our people: building capability from within Our Instrument Processing Services division operates 20 sites across the UK, partnering with NHS and private healthcare providers to deliver high-quality decontamination services. At the heart of this operation is a robust internal training infrastructure designed to ensure every Associate is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver excellence.
From day one, new starters embark on a structured 12-week onboarding programme tailored to their technical role. This blend of theoretical and hands-on learning is delivered by a network of over 20 qualified in-house trainers, with all content mapped to the National Education and Training Board (NETB) competency framework. This ensures consistency, compliance, and a strong foundation for career progression.
As an approved apprenticeship employerprovider, STERIS offers a wide range of qualifications – from Level 2 Healthcare Science to Level 7 Senior Leader apprenticeships. These pathways are designed not only to build technical expertise but also to develop leadership capability, supporting long-term careers in the healthcare sector.
“We are deeply committed to lifelong learning,” explains Claire Sides, UK Head of Training, Learning and People Development. “We support career progression from technician to team leader and beyond. Our current programmes span technical roles, sustainability, healthcare leadership, and business management – ensuring our future leaders are equipped for the challenges of modern healthcare. Ensuring that all our Associates are suitably trained ensures the highest quality of service to our customers.”
Fostering an inclusive learning culture
At STERIS, we understand that a truly effective learning environment must also be inclusive. That’s why we’ve embedded diversity and wellbeing into our training strategy. All people managers in the UK receive mandatory neurodiversity awareness training, and we continue to expand our education offering to include menopause awareness, safeguarding, mental health first aid, and mentor training.
These initiatives are more than just tick-box exercises – they are essential to creating safe, respectful workplaces where every Associate feels understood, supported, and empowered to thrive.
We also invest in our educators. Through our ‘Trainer to Teacher’ progression pathway, technical trainers can complete a Level 5 Diploma in Adult Education and Training, alongside qualifications in assessing and quality assurance. This ensures that our trainers are not only subject matter experts but also skilled, inclusive educators who can adapt to diverse learning needs.
Supporting our customers: clinical education that makes a difference
While internal development is a cornerstone of our success, our commitment to education extends far beyond our own teams. In our Healthcare segment, we work closely with NHS and private healthcare providers across the UK and Ireland to deliver high-quality products and services. Central to this partnership is our Clinical Application Training Team, who provide education and support to ensure our customers are confident in the products they use – always with a focus on quality, compliance, and patient safety.
“It is critical, as healthcare partners, that we support our NHS and private partners by providing education and clinical application training as and when required,” says Joy Markey, Clinical Director, STERIS Healthcare UK & Ireland. “With increasing demands on services and resources, and a growing need to ‘skill up’ staff to meet standard competency frameworks, education and training are essential components of a modern healthcare partnership.”
Our Clinical Application Training Team is strategically positioned across the UK, offering a wide range of services including capital product application training, reprocessing training, and service consultation. Whether delivering on-site sessions or supporting CPD-accredited learning, the team prides itself on creating inclusive, adaptable training environments that meet the unique needs of each learner.
To ensure our training remains relevant and impactful, we actively collaborate with NHS Trusts, professional bodies, and accreditation organisations. This alignment with national standards and frameworks – such as those set by the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc) and the National Education and Training Board (NETB) – ensures that our education programmes are not only technically robust but also recognised and respected across the healthcare sector. These partnerships help us stay ahead of regulatory changes and evolving best practices, so we can better support our customers in delivering safe, compliant, and effective care.
Why continuous education matters
In an era of rapid technological advancement, regulatory change, and increasing patient expectations, continuous education is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. For healthcare providers, staying up to date with the latest standards, techniques, and technologies is essential to maintaining compliance, improving outcomes, and delivering the highest standard of care.
At STERIS, we see education as a shared responsibility. By investing in our people and supporting our partners, we help build a more resilient, knowledgeable, and confident healthcare workforce. This, in turn, leads to better patient outcomes, stronger partnerships, and a safer healthcare system for all.
Celebrating Our Teams
None of this would be possible without the dedication and expertise of our training and clinical education teams. From the in-house trainers guiding new starters through their first weeks, to the clinical specialists delivering bespoke training in hospitals across the UK, our people are the driving force behind our commitment to excellence.
Their work not only supports individual learners but also strengthens entire organisations – helping healthcare providers meet their goals, improve their services, and ultimately deliver better care to patients.
Let’s Work Together
Ready to raise your hand for better training? Contact our team today to explore how STERIS can support your staff development and clinical excellence.
Email us at: clinical_uk@steris.com
Web: healthcare.steris.com
