Sterilization Station: A Sterile Processing Empowerment Podcast
Welcome to "Sterile Processing Empowerment Podcast, the podcast dedicated to elevating the field of sterile processing and surgical services! In an industry where precision and care intersect, we believe that knowledge is power. Our mission is to empower, encourage, and motivate every professional engaged in the transformative world of healthcare.
Join us each week as we delve into enlightening discussions that shine a light on best practices, emerging innovations, and the critical role sterile processing plays in patient safety. Whether you're a seasoned expert or just starting your journey, our panels and expert guests will provide invaluable insights through engaging conversations and real-world stories.
From the nuances of instrument handling to the latest in sterilization techniques, we cover it all. Expect thought-provoking interviews, educational segments, and motivating content designed to inspire you to elevate your craft. Together, let’s foster a community that champions excellence in surgical services and celebrates the unsung heroes of healthcare.
Tune in to where expertise meets passion, and every episode empowers you to make a difference in the operating room and beyond.
Episodes
35 episodes
Every Tray Tells a Story: Why There Are No Routine Days in Sterile Processing
In this episode of Sterilization Station, we challenge the dangerous mindset of “just another day” in sterile processing and uncover the deeper purpose behind every shift. Behind every tray, scope, and instrument is a real patient...
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14:41
From Ego to Echo: Building a Lasting Impression in Sterile Processing
Every day in sterile processing, we're writing our legacy not with ink or on resumes, but through how we make people feel and the impact we leave on others.• The difference between ego and legacy: ego seeks personal recognition while le...
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18:49
Surgical Tech Spotlight: From Operating Table to Classroom with Hailee Ellison
Surgical technologists ensure every instrument is sterile and ready when surgeons need them, serving as vital team members in the operating room while also training future professionals in this specialized healthcare field.• Discovery o...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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47:59
Organization and Consistency: The Twin Pillars of Sterile Processing
Sterile processing excellence is built on two powerful habits: organization and consistency, which directly impact workflow, team culture, and patient safety. Carol Malone joins us to explore how these fundamental traits form the foundation of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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52:48
From Student to Standout: Conquering Your First Sterile Processing Interview
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 ded...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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10:57
From the Operating Room to Art Studio: A Surgical Technologist's Creative Journey
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 wa...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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36:05
Fighting Burnout in Sterile Processing
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 s...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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38:53
25 Creative Ways To Land Your Sterile Processing Externship
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 th...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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26:06
The Power of Coaching in Sterile Processing
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 memoriza...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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14:05
Your Hands Matter: The Art of Assembly and Inspection in Sterile Processing
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 las...
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47:20
Surgical Guidelines to Soccer Goal Lines: Balancing Two Fields with John Huaco
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 i...
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27:59
From Student to Standout: 25 Externship Tips Every SPD Tech Should Know
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 i...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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9:25
When Your Passion Needs Surgery
Bill Rishell explores how to revitalize your passion for sterile processing when it's become infected with burnout, resentment, or negativity. Using the metaphor of surgical intervention, he offers a transformative approach to diagnosing, treat...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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21:12
Stop Shrinking, Start Shining: Conquering the Voice That Says You Don't Belong in Sterile Processing in 2025
Have you ever stepped into a leadership role in sterile processing and felt like a fraud waiting to be exposed? That nagging voice questioning whether you're qualified to lead isn't just your imagination – it's imposter syndrome, and it affects...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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28:17
Kenneth Campbell's Journey: Transforming Sterile Processing Through Authentic Leadership
Kenneth Campbell's journey from cleaning instruments in the back room to commanding boardrooms is nothing short of extraordinary. In this deeply personal conversation, Campbell opens up about his childhood in rural South Carolina, his military ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:08:21
Still Got That Fire? | Here's How to Keep Your Passion Burning In Sterile Processing
Rekindling your fire for sterile processing might be exactly what you need right now. Bill Rishell delivers a passionate reminder of why your role matters so deeply in healthcare, breaking down five compelling reasons every sterile processing t...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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12:00
Igniting Your Passion In Sterile Processing
Ever felt that moment when the trays pile up, you're short-staffed again, and somewhere between the prep and pack, you forget why you even started this journey in sterile processing? This raw, energizing episode tackles the silent epidemic of b...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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25:31
M.E.N.T.O.R. Mini-Series: T is for Training with Vanessa Frank
Proper training in Sterile Processing isn't just about meeting requirements—it's about saving lives. When staff understand not only what to do but why they're doing it, the entire department transforms.<br><br>In this illuminating c...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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1:04:01
Quality Over Quantity: Patient Safety First
The race for efficiency in sterile processing departments has created a dangerous mindset where speed often trumps thoroughness. When technicians rush through decontamination or assembly to meet productivity metrics, what's really at stake? Car...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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42:59
C.Y.C.L.E.S. Mini Series: Letter C-Cleaning in Decontamination
In this episode of the Sterilization Station podcast, hosts Bill Rishell and Cliff Russell delve into the critical aspects of decontamination in sterile processing. They discuss the importance of pre-cleaning in the operating room, the collabor...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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41:31
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The Journey of Jill Berends: Surg Tech to SPD Leadership
SummaryIn this episode of the Sterilization Station podcast, host Bill Rishell engages with Jill Berends, a clinical specialist in sterile processing, discussing her journey from surgical technology to leadership. They exp...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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51:33
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Sterile Processing
SummaryIn this episode of the Sterilization Station, host Bill Rishell discusses the challenges of imposter syndrome faced by sterile processing professionals. He emphasizes the importance of empowerment, r...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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14:57
M.E.N.T.O.R.- N IS FOR NETWORKING
summaryIn this episode of Sterilization Station, host Bill Rishell discusses the critical role of networking in the field of sterile processing. He emphasizes that networking is essential for career advancement, whether yo...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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13:17
Positive Mindset in Sterile Processing
In this episode of Sterilization Station, host Bill Rishell discusses the importance of a positive mindset in sterile processing. He emphasizes how attitude shapes the work environment, impacts patient safety, and influences team dynamics. Thro...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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17:35