Breaking Into Sterile Processing

Bill Rishell
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Starting your journey in Sterile Processing can be challenging — but you don’t have to do it alone. Breaking Into a Career in Sterile Processing is the go-to podcast for students, externs, and entry-level technicians who are ready to launch a successful career in the Sterile Processing Department (SPD). Each episode dives deep into the real-world steps of landing your first job, excelling during your externship, mastering interviews, and building the confidence you need to stand out in the field.  You’ll hear from hiring managers, seasoned techs, educators, and industry leaders who share insider tips, career advice, and personal stories from the front lines of surgical instrumentation and patient safety. Let's Break the glass, and put your Sterile Processing Job Search in th Past! 

  1. APR 27

    Silence After Applying Does Not Mean You Failed

    The job hunt feels like yelling into a canyon and hearing nothing back, and we break down why that silence hits so hard. We analyze a motivational video script built for sterile processing grads and pull out a universal blueprint for turning frustration into resilience and action.  • the psychology of reciprocity and why “no echo” feels unreal  • how validating rejection and fatigue builds trust before advice  • why the script opens with “good” and what pattern interrupts do to attention  • reframing frustration as neutral pressure you can channel  • the steam engine model for burnout vs momentum  • why normalizing the struggle reduces shame and restores strategic thinking  • iteration over repetition by applying again while learning more  • “You’re Not Behind, You’re Being Built” as a self-perception shift  • why motivation needs an outlet and a concrete next step  • the bigger systemic question of silent hiring systems and broken feedback loops  If you're serious about getting into sterile processing, follow sterilization station for real guidance, motivation, and support. And if you want help staying focused, building your strategy, and actually getting hired, go to sterilizationstation.org and click the Get Coaching tab.

    20 min

  2. APR 22

    Instrument Repair Is Patient Safety

    Surgical instrument repair and inspection decide whether patient care moves forward or comes to a halt. We walk through what technicians look for, how the repair workflow stays controlled, and why “when in doubt, remove and verify” protects everyone in the room. • why one faulty instrument can delay surgery and raise risk • common damage signs like misalignment, corrosion, loose screws, burrs and cracks • methodical inspection steps using movement tests and magnified light • the non negotiable rule to pull an instrument after any failed check • repair workflow essentials including tagging, separation, vendor repair and re inspection • chain of custody as accountability and traceability • the sterile processing technician as the first line of defense • managing pressure by choosing deliberate repetition over rushing • the rule to stop, remove and verify with a senior check

    6 min

  3. APR 20

    Top 10 Mistakes New Sterile Processing Techs Make !

    If you’re new to sterile processing, the hardest part isn’t caring, it’s carrying the mental load while everything moves fast. I’m Bill, your sterile processing success coach, and I walk through the top 10 mistakes new sterile processing technicians make when pressure, speed, and uncertainty collide. The goal is simple: protect patients while you build real confidence in SPD, instrument reprocessing, and day-to-day workflow. We start where mistakes often begin: rushing through decontamination when case carts stack up and turnover feels urgent. From there, we get practical about IFUs (instructions for use), enzymatic detergent timing, and why “it looks clean” is never the same as verified clean. I also break down common assembly problems like tray organization, learning instrument names, and how to build a consistent inspection flow that the OR can trust. Then we tackle the hidden risks that show up later in the process: labeling and scanning errors, ignoring wet packs or packaging issues, and staying quiet when something seems wrong. We talk sterilization cycles and why understanding steam versus low-temperature sterilization reduces fear and improves decision-making. We close with documentation discipline and the mindset shift that keeps you steady: process focus over performance pressure. If you know a new tech who feels behind, share this with them. Subscribe for more real-world sterile processing guidance, and if it helped, leave a review and tell me which mistake you’re working on next.

    13 min

  4. APR 17

    Why Your CRCST Isn’t Getting You Hired Yet

    We break down why CRCST-certified online graduates can still get passed over for sterile processing jobs, even with solid study habits and strong test scores. We name seven hidden barriers hospitals screen for and map a practical path to become job ready, confident, and competitive. • The experience gap between online theory and hands-on SPD speed • Unfamiliarity with real hospital washers and sterilizers • The certified but not ready trap and why workflow muscle memory matters • The connection gap and the cost of missing clinical referrals • ATS resume screening and the sterile processing keywords that matter • The interview gap, including workflow questions like a failed Bowie Dick test • Competition for entry-level roles and why inside tracks win • A path forward: hands-on practice, resume optimization, interview prep, and building clinical connections

    6 min

  5. APR 17

    Stop Guessing The CRCST Exam

    The HSPA manual feels impossible until we treat the CRCST content outline like a blueprint instead of a suggestion. We break down how the exam is built from a job task analysis, why the “big three” sections drive your score, and how to turn practice questions into a diagnostic tool for faster progress.  • why the content outline beats random studying  • how job task analysis makes the exam reflect real hospital work  • the “big three” sections that total 63% of the CRCST exam  • why packaging protects sterility as much as sterilization  • how safety and PPE anchor every operational section  • what DART tests, leak tests, and biological indicators prove  • how to cross-reference the outline to the manual like an index  • how to review missed practice questions by mapping them back to the blueprint  • why study time must match exam weighting to avoid burnout  Use the blueprint, trust the strategy, and go crush your exam prep.

    21 min

  6. APR 16

    Sterile Processing Myths

    We bust the sterile processing myths that crush confidence and slow down your first hire, from “no experience means no job” to “mistakes mean you don’t belong.” We share what actually gets you hired and promoted in SPD: attitude, learning speed, communication, consistency, and pride in patient safety work.  • why imposter syndrome grows from common SPD misconceptions  • getting hired without hospital experience by showing reliability and coachability  • why certification helps but does not guarantee a job  • how to view externships as structured learning, not just free labor  • using night shift and tough assignments to accelerate growth  • sterile processing as patient safety work beyond washing instruments  • responding to mistakes with accountability and better habits  • career paths inside SPD from lead tech to educator to management  • finding mentors and building trust through communication and consistency  • choosing learning opportunities at community hospitals and surgery centers  • balancing a demanding role with boundaries, breaks, and recovery  Please like, comment, and subscribe.

    21 min

  7. APR 13

    Bill’s Journey Into Sterile Processing

    We open up our personal story and the moments that shaped our confidence, our faith, and our drive to build a life through sterile processing. We walk through the setbacks, mentors, hospital moves, and mindset shifts that turn SPD from a job into a platform for growth and purpose.  • finishing a first year of podcasting and why we choose to share our story  • childhood insecurity, addiction, faith, and the power of community support  • discovering sterile processing through a mentor and committing to training  • externship mindset and a pro tip for becoming a value-added hire  • early career growth in a trauma center and the push to get certified  • stepping into pediatric instrumentation and the added precision it requires  • union realities, seniority, contract rules, and communication gaps  • learning to advocate for yourself while staying focused on performance  • a 2024 car accident, fear of losing the career, and the idea behind Sterilization Station  • “updating” your mindset, value-centered solutions, and intentional leadership  • why sterile processing can create stability for your family and your future  visit sterilizationstation.org. Click on the coaching tab, and let's get you started.  If you're looking for inspiration and insight and growing in your surgical instrumentation skills, then click the link below where you can purchase the World of Surgery workbook and instruments catalog.

    17 min

  8. APR 6

    Seven Mindsets To Get Hired In Sterile Processing

    The fastest way to stall a sterile processing career isn’t a missing certification, it’s walking into the job search with the wrong mindset. We’re speaking directly to new grads and students who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or tired of hearing “no” after applications, because getting hired often comes down to how you think before you ever touch an instrument tray. If you’ve been wondering why interviews feel harder than they should, or why you’re not getting callbacks even when demand is strong, this conversation is your reset.  We break down seven practical mindsets that hiring managers respond to: growth, confidence, resilience, preparation, networking, value, and action. You’ll hear how to replace “I don’t know” with “I can learn,” how to project calm readiness without pretending, and how to treat rejection as direction instead of a dead end. We also share simple preparation tactics for sterile processing technician interviews, like researching the hospital and understanding workflows, plus a networking approach that helps you introduce yourself as who you’re becoming, not only where you work today.  You’ll leave with a clear next step you can take immediately, along with reminders of the real value you bring to patient safety: attention to detail, reliability, and the discipline to follow protocols. If you want extra support, coaching is available at sterilizationstation.org under the Get Coaching tab. Subscribe, share this with a new grad, and leave a review with the one mindset you’re choosing to practice this week.

    13 min
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About

Starting your journey in Sterile Processing can be challenging — but you don’t have to do it alone. Breaking Into a Career in Sterile Processing is the go-to podcast for students, externs, and entry-level technicians who are ready to launch a successful career in the Sterile Processing Department (SPD). Each episode dives deep into the real-world steps of landing your first job, excelling during your externship, mastering interviews, and building the confidence you need to stand out in the field.  You’ll hear from hiring managers, seasoned techs, educators, and industry leaders who share insider tips, career advice, and personal stories from the front lines of surgical instrumentation and patient safety. Let's Break the glass, and put your Sterile Processing Job Search in th Past! 

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