Sterilization Station: A Sterile Processing Empowerment Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Mindset is everything in sterile processing, where the difference between fixed and growth perspectives determines your ability to thrive amidst complex challenges and high-pressure situations.

• Growth mindset believes abilities improve with effort while fixed mindset assumes skills are static

• Real-world examples show how perspective transforms workplace challenges into learning opportunities

• Catch negative self-talk and use the power of "yet" to reframe limitations as temporary

• Surround yourself with growth-minded colleagues who encourage questions and constructive feedback

• Handle mistakes with grace and responsibility rather than defensiveness

• Ask better questions about the "why" behind sterile processing procedures

• The whole department benefits when individual technicians commit to continuous growth

• You're not stuck or behind—you're in a process of development like instruments being prepared

Keep growing, keep believing, and keep showing up because the cleanest tools come from the strongest minds. Follow us on Instagram @sterilization_station52 or email questions to sterilizationstation@outlook.com.

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Sterile processing veteran Tameka Jones shares unfiltered insights about what it really takes to succeed in SPD, going beyond classroom theory to prepare students for real-world excellence.

• SPD work requires deep understanding of instrumentation, protocols, and manufacturer instructions
• Most students underestimate the level of commitment required in sterile processing
• The disconnect between classroom learning and floor reality requires personalized instruction
• "Return demonstration" teaching ensures students truly understand processes before certification
• Sterile processing should be viewed as a starting point with numerous career advancement paths
• Making training personal by visualizing preparing instruments for loved ones increases commitment
• Military discipline and "one band, one sound" mentality helps maintain excellence even during challenges
• Pride comes from knowing your work prevents infections and ensures successful surgeries
• Tameka's facility has maintained zero infections over seven years through meticulous practices
• Creating supportive environments where everyone's input is valued fosters growth mindset

Share this episode with your SPD class or mentor. Write down your biggest takeaway and tag us with #ToughLoveSPD or #SterilizationStation to join the conversation!

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Standing at the threshold of your sterile processing career, that first interview can feel like a daunting challenge. But what if you could transform those nerves into your greatest advantage?

This episode of Sterilization Station is dedicated to sterile processing students and externs ready to take that crucial first step into the professional world. We're breaking down the mindset shift that changes everything: you're not begging for a job—you're offering your work ethic, reliability, and hunger to learn to a department that needs precisely what you bring.

Through five game-changing interview strategies, you'll discover how to articulate your "why" with authenticity, master the essential terminology that shows your commitment, and bring concrete examples that prove your capabilities beyond classroom learning. Learn the subtle but powerful impact of professional presentation and the types of questions that make hiring managers take notice. The right department isn't just hiring hands; they're hiring a mindset, a teammate, and a future leader.

Whether you're feeling uncertain about your qualifications or simply want to ensure you make your best impression, these strategies will help you walk into that interview standing tall in your growth. As one student recently demonstrated after implementing these techniques, the difference between being overlooked and standing out often comes down to how you frame your training experience and show up with confidence.

Ready to transform how you approach your sterile processing interview? Share this episode with a classmate who's interviewing soon, follow Sterilization Station on your favorite podcast platform, and tag us on social media with your interview win using #SterilizationStation. Your career journey starts with believing you belong at the table—because you absolutely do.

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Candice Plasan navigates the precision-driven worlds of surgical technology and tattoo artistry, bringing passion and creativity to both realms while drawing surprising connections between them.

• Candice's path to surgical technology was inspired by her mother's brain aneurysm during her high school years
• After technical school, she fulfilled her goal of working in the same hospital that saved her mother's life
• The high-pressure environment of surgery requires quick adaptation, precision, and emotional resilience
• Hospital culture creates "uniform chaos" where teams align instantly during emergencies despite hierarchical tensions
• Her current role as Guardian Service Specialist at Richard Wolf Medical Instruments allows her to build meaningful relationships across hospital departments
• Apprenticing in tattoo artistry fulfilled her lifelong artistic passion that she had kept private for years
• Her husband, also a tattoo artist, has been instrumental in encouraging her creative development
• Surgical experience enhances her understanding of anatomy, improving her artistic abilities
• Medical knowledge of sterilization and safety protocols transfers directly to professional tattoo practices
• Recently launched Family Tradition Tattoos as a creative lifestyle brand with her husband
• Recognized as GSS of the Year, validating her passion and expertise in medical equipment servicing
• Planning to bring creative approaches to medical environments through future projects

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who might need encouragement to blend their own diverse passions.

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Burnout in sterile processing is a silent epidemic affecting the healthcare heroes who ensure every surgical instrument is safe for patient use. What causes dedicated SPD professionals to reach their breaking point, and how can we create more sustainable work environments?

In this candid conversation with sterile processing thought leader Hank Balch, founder of Beyond Clean, we dive deep into the ten most common factors contributing to burnout in SPD departments nationwide. From the crushing weight of understaffing to the psychological impact of constant high-stakes work, Hank shares insights gained from years leading departments and advocating for the profession.

The discussion takes an unexpected turn when Hank challenges conventional wisdom about certification as the primary path for career advancement in sterile processing. "We've been singing that song for 50 years," he notes, suggesting that the industry has perhaps placed too much emphasis on certification alone while overlooking other pathways for recognition and growth.

Leaders will find practical guidance for creating burnout-aware cultures through transparency, appropriate accountability, and recognition of both professional and personal challenges. Meanwhile, frontline technicians will discover validation for their experiences and strategies for protecting their well-being while continuing to perform critical patient safety work.

Whether you're feeling the effects of burnout yourself or leading a team through challenging times, this episode offers both understanding and actionable solutions. Share it with your colleagues, managers, or anyone who needs to hear that they're not alone in this essential but often overlooked healthcare field. The fight against burnout in sterile processing starts with acknowledging the problem and coming together as a community to support one another.

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The externship drought in sterile processing education creates a significant barrier for students who've completed their coursework but can't find clinical placements to finish certification. Bill Rishell offers 25 proven strategies to break through this challenge and secure the hands-on experience needed to launch your career.

• Connect with local HSPA or CBSPD chapters to build professional relationships with decision-makers
• Ask instructors for alumni contacts who might provide referrals
• Network with SPD leaders on LinkedIn by creating a professional profile
• Offer to shadow before requesting an externship to build trust
• Reach out to surgical techs, nurses and transporters for internal referrals
• Follow up with hospitals every 7-10 days to demonstrate persistence
• Keep a detailed tracker of applications to organize your follow-up efforts
• Investigate if hospitals partner with specific programs you could enroll in
• Apply to smaller surgery centers and outpatient clinics that may be less competitive
• Contact SPD departments directly rather than just applying through HR
• Create a professional LinkedIn profile highlighting your search
• Request recommendation letters from your program to strengthen applications
• Develop a one-page resume specifically for externship applications
• Volunteer elsewhere in a hospital to make internal connections
• Engage actively in online SPD communities for networking
• Offer flexible hours including nights and weekends that others might avoid
• Write personalized emails sharing your passion and personal story
• Drop off resumes in person when possible to make an impression
• Create comprehensive externship pitch packets with all documentation
• Ask smaller facilities if they can make exceptions to their usual policies
• Apply to at least 25 different locations to increase your chances
• Don't assume silence means rejection – follow up consistently
• Consider opportunities that require travel if necessary
• Prepare a concise value proposition statement for interviews
• Maintain belief that your persistence will eventually pay off

Keep knocking, keep showing up, and don't you dare give up. Share your experiences with the community by tagging Sterilization Station on social media and connecting with others on the same journey.

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Sterile processing coaches provide essential support for SPD professionals navigating increasingly complex medical instruments and heightened patient safety standards in 2025. A coach serves as your guide through the journey from basic memorization to true mastery, meeting you where you are and helping you grow with purpose.

• Understanding what a sterile processing coach is – not just a trainer, but someone who explains the "why" behind procedures
• Exploring the complex 2025 SPD landscape with robotic instruments, digital tracking systems, and stricter compliance
• Recognizing coaching as essential rather than optional in today's demanding environment
• Learning how coaching transformed "Marcus" from nearly quitting to mentoring others
• Understanding why coaching works – focusing on thinking skills rather than mere task completion
• Discovering how coaching helped "Jasmine" overcome exam anxiety and pass her CRCST with 91%
• Exploring the three-tier coaching program for different career stages
• Tier one focuses on foundations for new techs and students
• Tier two helps working techs level up with case-based training
• Tier three prepares leads and educators with leadership development

To apply for coaching, DM the word "coach" or visit www.sterilizationstation.org and click "Get Coaching" in the top right corner. You can also email sterilizationstation@outlook.com for more information or to schedule an exploratory call fill out this form : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16w5ERl1PRtdJ4iHrPbirBG9o6DpBUSfVITjU5NonK0k/edit?usp=sharing_eil&invite=CO7JrvgL&ts=6803c9a1

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Cliff Russell from SterisIMS takes us through the "Y" in our CYCLE mini-series, focusing on "Your Hands Matter" - the critical assembly and inspection phase where precision becomes patient protection.

• Assembly and inspection as the last checkpoint before instruments reach surgery
• The hidden complexity behind "just putting trays together"
• Real consequences of missed defects, including instrument failures during procedures
• Using appropriate testing materials for different instrument types
• Balancing time pressure with thorough inspection
• Scissors as the most commonly undertested instrument in SPD
• Creating standardized workstations with proper testing tools
• The importance of checking box locks and inspecting for cracks
• Using vendor partners for education, audits, and competency validation
• Making IFUs accessible through daily huddles, trivia, and interactive learning
• Building confidence through peer mentorship and creating a culture where mistakes can be discussed
• Pro tips including proper instrument placement, matching correct components, and using magnification
• The role of technology in transforming instrument inspection

Use your vendors as resources for education and audits - they're here to partner with you in creating the safest patient outcomes possible.

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John Huaco shares his journey as both a surgical technologist and soccer coach, revealing how passion, precision, and teamwork create success in both the operating room and on the field. His dual career path demonstrates that skills developed in one profession can significantly enhance performance in another, creating a positive feedback loop of continuous improvement.

• Found his calling as a surgical technologist after experiencing surgery as a patient
• Has dedicated 15 years to surgical technology, helping build his facility from the ground up
• Balances work at two different hospitals—one unionized, one non-unionized—with very different cultures
• Coaches multiple youth soccer teams as a volunteer, bringing the same dedication to the field as the OR
• Views patience and positive reinforcement as essential in both surgical mentoring and youth coaching
• Believes creating confidence is the foundation for success in both medical and athletic environments
• Emphasizes that finding joy in your work is crucial—"why be there if you're not going to have fun?"
• Defines success as staying "rich in happiness" rather than focusing solely on financial rewards
• Recommends maintaining discipline, proper sleep, and nutrition to balance multiple passions
• Advises those torn between different interests to "spread it out, give both some love"

Join us next time as we continue exploring the hidden heroes of healthcare and the diverse passions that drive excellence in our industry.

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Breaking into the sterile processing field starts with making the most of your externship opportunity. Drawing from years of experience mentoring SPD students, Bill Rishell shares critical strategies that transform externships into job offers in this value-packed episode.

Before stepping into any facility, proper preparation sets exceptional externs apart. Researching your assigned healthcare facility, refreshing your technical knowledge, and understanding industry standards demonstrates your commitment to excellence from day one. Those first impressions truly matter – arriving early, introducing yourself confidently, and showing genuine enthusiasm creates a foundation for success throughout your experience.

The episode dives deep into practical work habits that make supervisors take notice. Bill shares insider perspectives on being proactive rather than passive, maintaining meticulous organization at your workstation, and balancing efficiency with accuracy. His candid advice on building professional relationships reveals how networking during your externship can open doors long after it ends. Through specific examples, listeners learn how approaching each day with purpose – asking thoughtful questions, understanding the "why" behind procedures, and reflecting on daily experiences – transforms an educational requirement into a career-building opportunity.

For students feeling anxious about their upcoming externships or those currently struggling to make the most of their experience, this episode provides actionable guidance to stand out in a competitive field. Whether you're just starting your sterile processing journey or mentoring the next generation of professionals, these proven strategies help build the confidence needed to thrive. Ready to turn your externship into a job offer? Connect with Bill on LinkedIn or email sterilizationstation@outlook.com for personalized coaching to accelerate your SPD career.

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