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.
Sterilization Station: A Sterile Processing Empowerment Podcast
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, treating, and recovering your sense of purpose in healthcare.
• Diagnosing passion problems through symptoms like chronic burnout, loss of motivation, cynicism, and disconnection from mission
• Understanding that toxicity is personal—if it wasn't in you, it would stop with you
• Creating space from negative environments to rebuild your professional mindset
• Identifying what needs to be "surgically removed" from your attitude or environment
• Setting boundaries, seeking mentorship, and speaking up about issues immediately
• Celebrating the new version of yourself after passion surgery
• Staying committed to follow-up care through ongoing education and community involvement
• Remembering that "you're not surviving sterile processing, you're leading it"
If this episode moved something in you, share it with a fellow tech who's ready to reclaim their fire. Keep growing, keep going, and remember that your growth is your legacy.
Welcome to the Sterilization Station, the empowerment podcast for sterile processing. This is Bill Rochelle, and I'm hoping that everyone out there is having a great day today. And today's episode is not just a topic. This one, ladies and gentlemen, it's a journey, it's a procedure, it's a wake-up call. So let me ask you something today When's the last time you checked in on your passion Like really checked in? Because just like an infected surgical site, if your passion isn't treated it's gonna spread right. Just like an infection when you get infected it's gonna spread. So when you don't treat your passion, maybe your passion's been infected how it's gonna spread into the departments and to those that you serve and before long, the thing you once loved, it, starts to feel toxic. But today's episode is called when your Passion Needs Surgery. We're scrubbing in for a deep, raw, transformational episode, one that may hurt a little but healing always does. So let's get into it. So today we are talking about when your passion needs surgery. You can view the previous episodes. I've done Number one. We talked about what is your why and what is your passion. Then we talked about the second episode in this series, about the five ways to stay on fire for sterile processing. You want to stay on fire, you want to stay passionate in the realm of sterile processing. So this work.
Speaker 1:Sometimes you know when a person is starting to lose that passion they're dreading work. They're dreading coming to work, becoming a cynical or feeling invincible in the department. Like an example, you used to triple check your trays. Now you're just like I just want to clock out. So when did the infection start? Was it burnout? Was maybe you're being passed over for an opportunity? Maybe it was a lack of appreciation? Maybe you're a tech and you realize they started to resent the job after a promotion was denied. So you have to ask yourself what do I love, what do I tolerate, what do I avoid? And just like, a ct scan reveals what the eye can't see. Reflection reveals what your ego hides. And so we're beginning to.
Speaker 1:You know, think about surgery. You have surgery. You first go to get diagnosed, right. Then you're going to go. They're going to schedule you. You're going to go for your pre-op. You're going to go. They're going to hook up the iv. They're going to ask you all the questions about your symptoms, about any conditions you have. Then they're going to hook up the IV. They're going to ask you all the questions about your symptoms, about any conditions you have. Then they're going to roll you into surgery. You're going to have the surgical procedure and they're going to say, okay, the procedure is done, you're going to wake up, you're going to go to the recovery room and then what's going to happen? Then you're going to go home to heal. So today's episode is going to I'm hopeful that today's episode is going to reignite that that you're going to realize that I've lost my passion, bill, I've lost my passion, mr Sterilization Station host.
Speaker 1:I've lost my passion, but today we are here to help you. Surgery exists to help you. Surgery is to burn out things that shouldn't be there. It's to cut out things or excise things that shouldn't be there. And today I'm hopeful that this podcast is going to inspire you to cut off something that doesn't need to be there.
Speaker 1:And so some reasons why a person, maybe they realize they need to go get some help right, and that's what I'm hopeful today you can do. You can get some help. Why? Because what happens you begin to realize maybe one of your symptoms is you need to get diagnosed, get an MRI, an x-ray, your blood work. You start to realize one symptom you're dealing with is chronic burnout. You're mentally and physically and emotionally drained every shift and you stop caring about what once excited you. You know that's what's so important. We came here because we care. We signed up because we should came here because we care. We signed up because we should be here because we care.
Speaker 1:When I was a student, my teacher, ms People, she said to me there's three things that matter in this the patient, the patient and the patient. And if you're struggling and you don't care about the patient, listen, this may not be a good fit for you. Maybe there's something else that you can do because, at the end of the day, we want to hold to our conscience. We want to make sure that there is a conscience behind what we're doing and that everything that we do is governed by that conscience. Right, because we have the potential to spread diseases, microorganisms, pathogens, all that stuff through not making sure that we're not properly processing the instrument. So we want to make sure we're doing everything according to the IFU and we have a conscience behind everything that we're doing. Today, I want to remind you it's important to have a conscience in sterile processing.
Speaker 1:So another symptom that you might have is you are suffering from the loss of motivation. You go to get that diagnosis and the doctor says you know what you're suffering from a case of loss of motivation. You go to get that diagnosis and the doctor says you know what You're suffering from a case of loss of motivation. The why behind your work is gone. You're just clocking in and out. You're not motivated. You don't have that desire, that drive, and I know there's situations and environments that can affect that. I don't fault you. A lot of times it's the leadership is not supporting the departments like they should. Maybe they're short-staffed, maybe they're not being transparent in describing the things that are going on and keeping that open door policy. But this is a symptom where maybe your passion needs surgery.
Speaker 1:Cynicism and negativity You've gone from proud to pessimistic Complaints outnumber solutions. Maybe you have a symptom of resentment toward leadership and co-workers. You feel unrecognized, unsupported and you're consistently overlooked for opportunities. We all know that growth opportunities and start processing. They don't always exist and certifications have their place right. We understand that. But listen, growth is so important and feeling like you're not given those opportunities, remember, look for opportunities around you to do the thing that you wanna do, and there's nothing wrong with asking a manager. Is it okay if I take on this project? Can I organize this drawer? Can I be a part of this committee? Can I be a part of this team? There's nothing wrong with that. It will help you overcome that aspect of feeling like you're unrecognized.
Speaker 1:Maybe you're dealing with the symptom of an identity crisis. You're questioning your purpose. Is this all I'm meant to do? You know, I did a two-part series on overcoming imposter syndrome the feeling like I can't and I won't and I don't have it in me, like you have to be able to rise above that and realize that you are something, that you are special, there's only one of you and that that's so important and that you can do anything. I go to church and it says I can do all things through the Lord, who strengthens me, and you can do anything. If you can think it or you can speak it, it can happen.
Speaker 1:Maybe you're suffering from the symptom of disconnection from the mission. You forgot or you stopped believing that sterile processing is patient care. You forgot or you stopped believing that sterile processing is patient care. Don't be disconnected from your mission. Our mission is, as Hank Balch on Beyond Clean would say we fight dirty. Our mission is to destroy microorganisms. Our mission is offering a product that is the top of the line. We bring our A game. Our mission is excellent customer service. Our mission is value-centered solutions. Our mission is making sure that our team members are functioning okay and that their mental health is in a good place. That's our mission. Our mission is sterility and making sure that our instruments are cleaned properly and that our loads are packaged the right way and everything that we do is done the right way, according to the IFU, according to our SOPs and according to our anti-amy standards.
Speaker 1:Maybe you're suffering from a symptom of anxiety or dread before your shift. You lose sleep, you feel heavy or anxious every time work approaches. I've been, I've worked at some places where I pull up and I'm like, oh man, right, this manager is this way. We don't have any educational program, we don't have enough staff, whatever it is right, we don't have any educational program. We don't have enough staff, whatever it is right, we don't have enough trays, right. But then you start feeling anxious and you have that anxiety. Or maybe you're suffering from the symptom of jealousy or bitterness towards another's success. You've watched others grow, you've watched others advance, and maybe you didn't have that opportunity. And so you go to get diagnosed and now you realize you know what the doctor says, you know what. You need surgery.
Speaker 1:Your passion has been affected by any of those symptoms. So you check in for surgery. What do they do? They're admitting your passion is wounded, your passion is lacking strength, your passion isn't strong enough, and so an example a tech admits to a mentor that they've considered quitting. Mentorship, coaching or training is your front desk. Those are the ones that are going to begin to guide you, to help you to get into this surgical procedure, so we can impart the change needed to revive and refresh your passion.
Speaker 1:Most of the time in medical and health care, they're just helping the body heal itself. So we're here today to heal your passion. Your passion might need to be healed, your why might need to be healed. Maybe you don't have clarity right. That's the who, the what, the where, the when, the why. Who are you serving? Why are you serving them? Why are you here? Why do you exist? Why does sterile processing exist? What is it that we do? Who are we serving? What are we providing? How are we going to do it and where can it be located? So you don't walk into surgery alone. Use your resources like signing in for a new certification class or gathering and going to different community events, like the HSPA conference. That will ignite your passion when you get around people that are so passionate, that are not the button pushers, but they're really people that know the science and understand what we do is so important.
Speaker 1:Check-in means you're not walking out the same. You're allowing transformation, and that's what leadership does. They're not allowing you to go through things by yourself, but they're allowing you to transform. And so, after you come to the hospital, you get diagnosed, you get checked into surgery. Now you're going to come to and you're going to be approached by the anesthesiologist and he's going to come and he's going to check on your breathing, to see how you're doing, see how you're able to have you been able to move.
Speaker 1:And what are you allergic to? Maybe you're allergic to a negative work environment, maybe you're allergic to a bad leader, maybe you're allergic to toxicity. As I always say it and I'll keep saying it, toxicity is in the person. I know. Let us sink in. I know, let us sink in. Toxicity is in you, because if it wasn't in you, it would stop with you. Right? We're not a trash can. We're not a vessel of dishonor. We don't have to hold someone else's garbage, talking about your coworker Tearing down your manager Complaining, complaining, complaining you ever had that person walks into the room and what do you do?
Speaker 1:It just changes the whole environment. Then you walk into the room and what do you do? It just changes the whole environment. Then you walk into that room with that person. That's so positive. You go to work or go to work. Everyone's like man Bill's got all these analogies and parables and things to make you think. Anybody can think negative. It takes a real person, a real person, a real man, a real woman, a real person, to change the mindset. Think on something that's got a positive perspective, and so sometimes you need space from the noise to do the real work, and so that's what they're going to do. They're going to begin to set you down, to get you comfortable, pain-free, so that you can begin to endure through what's needed to help you. And sometimes our passion needs to go through surgery. Why? Because we've lost that, because it may be environments, or because it may be people, or because we forgot why we are really even here.
Speaker 1:Thankfulness is so important. Thankfulness is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. How strong is your thankful-o-meter and how strong is your passion-o-meter? Make sure your passion-o-meter is full. Make sure your thankful-o-meter? And how strong is your passion-o-meter? Make sure your passion-o-meter is full. Make sure your thankful-o-meter is at the top of the charts. Being thankful, it just changes you when you think about I'm so thankful for my job, I'm so thankful for my benefits. I'm so thankful I got this time off. So sometimes you need space from the noise to do the real work.
Speaker 1:Rest doesn't mean quitting. Rest means preparing, taking a planned break from work or social media to focus on clarity. Another thing anesthesia does is they set boundaries right. Say no to overtime. Protect your mental space and turn down that negativity. Become numb to noise, not to purpose. Become numb to noise, not to purpose. Don't forget your purpose. They're numbing you to the noise so that you can rest and so you can begin to get the help that you need. But but don't forget your purpose. The silence helps you hear your real voice again. Sometimes we need that. Sometimes we got to slow down to go forward. So all of a sudden now they got us numb. They hook up the IV, they got us feeling good, we're relaxed.
Speaker 1:Now, what do we do? We're going into the surgical suite and now we're preparing for the surgery. So what's going to happen? The surgical tech's going to come, he's going to, they're going to move you to the bed. You're going to be kind of feeling good, they're going to start to put you down right, and then, all of a sudden, the surgical tech's going to come in, he's going to start to drape you, he's going to start to put a covering over you and create that sterile barrier.
Speaker 1:Right, and sometimes that's what has to happen in our lives. Right, we gotta be covered with a positive mindset. We gotta be covered with the right thoughts. We gotta be covered with the right perspective. Environment, as you are a CEO teaches you, is so much stronger than willpower. Make sure you're creating that right environment. When you're creating a sterile field, you are creating an environment of sterility.
Speaker 1:And now we get in here to surgery and they begin to prep you clean everything out, clean the site, sterilize the surgical site, and now it's time. It's time for the procedure, it's time for us to remove what no longer serves your passion. So what do you do? You go there. They make the incision. They're going to use those. They're going to use those forceps right, those, those mosquito, to begin to separate the layers of the tissue. And sometimes you know you, you think about how the word a retractor right Is to is retracting, creating an opening for exposure. That's what they use in the in surgical, in surgery term. The doctor might say I need more exposure. I'm hoping today we're exposing that your passion needs help.
Speaker 1:And what needs to be cut away right? Is it your ego? Is it your comparisons all the time? Maybe it's old goals? Maybe it's separating from that toxic person. Maybe what needs to be cut away is being so opinionated. Maybe what needs to be cut away is not being willing to take stands and make sure everyone is treated fair. Maybe what needs to be cut away is that we don't have education like we should. So look around and see what areas in your life and what areas within your department.
Speaker 1:If you were to concise or to excise or cut away, what would you cut away? And only you can answer that question. What would you cut away to make that change, to allow that healing to go forward? Because once you're done with surgery it's not over now. You got to go through the process of healing. You got to rest, you got to drink the eat the right diet, eat the right foods, eat the right thoughts, eat the right culture, eat the right things that you would engage in, indulging, letting go of the need to be recognized and focusing on impact, what needs to be repaired? Your confidence, your skills, maybe your community, maybe an example, like a tech, realizes they need more training, not just more validation.
Speaker 1:And this part hurts. But you know, pain is where purpose is born. Pain is where purpose is born. There are times I had to examine myself. Was I seeking to be validated? Was I seeking for attention? Was I seeking to be recognized? Was I a person that maybe didn't have a positive mindset when I should have? That's why this hurts, right, but pain is where purpose is born, and surgery is invasive, but it's also what saves your life. Surgery can save your life.
Speaker 1:And so now we've moved past the surgery, now we're going back to recovery. Now you've done the hard part, now it's time to rebuild. So how are we going to rebuild? We must recover. Sometimes it's quiet, but it's essential. We have to give ourselves that grace. Right, that growth isn't always going to be loud, but if we keep moving forward, something is changing and something is growing. We're going to reenter with new standards. We're going to reenter with a new mindset, a mindset that wants to impact and being that team member not only about the patient, but that team member that wants to see others grow, others be helped, and being that team member that's not only looking at it from my perspective but also for others. And so setting boundaries, asking for mentorship, speaking up more, being transparent with issues right away, not letting it fester and get bitter, but you really talk about it right away. Celebrate the new version of you because after this podcast, if you're honest, you're gonna be able to grow, because you'll realize your passion did need surgery, but how your passion is gonna come back. We're gonna be willing to allow yourself to take out those parts of you that's hindering your passion. What are the triggers that are stunting the growth of your passion? And once you find that out, you'll be able to really heal and grow and realize either A maybe sterile processing isn't what I wanted or B Mr Bill Rochelle, you've inspired me to want to get back into the fight against dirty. Celebrate the new version of you.
Speaker 1:You're not just a better tech, you're a healthier person. You know, be healthy, right? I mean eating healthy before you come to work. Naturally, healthy is important. It gives you the strength what you're eating right, not eating so much processed sugar and fried foods and lots of carbs that just weigh you down. But make sure you're eating healthy, drinking lots of water, you know, and making sure you're stretching before going into work. And just being a healthier person before you get to work will even help you once you get to work. And so then, after now, what happens? After you have surgery, you go home and you're in recovery. Now you're going to, they're going to give you those instructions, those instructions on how to take care of yourself, those instructions for the follow-up, care and now the healing is ongoing.
Speaker 1:And don't skip your follow-ups Sometimes. Schedule those one-on-ones with your manager, or have that walk on a break with one of your coworkers where you can bond and get to know them. Getting to know someone and really this is a pro tip when you're dealing with someone that has a very difficult personality, sometimes the best thing to do is really get to know them, because you'll realize, when you get to know their story, their origin story, their life, there's something that happened that you don't know about that. Maybe is the reason why they are the way that they are. Happened to me one time. I was in d-con this lady. She had a really strong personality and then she told me about how she lost a loved one. You know, it changed my perspective. I realized she'd been through a lot. The healing is ongoing.
Speaker 1:Don't skip your follow-ups. Make sure your ongoing development you're staying sharp. Read, take some courses, join SPD communities. Stay around those people who support your healing. Cut out toxic co-workers or energy-draining dynamics and then build new relationships that are going to strengthen your purpose.
Speaker 1:Remember, you're not surviving sterile processing. You're leading it. So maybe your passion didn't die, maybe it just needed surgery, maybe it got infected by burnout, or maybe it was scarred by disappointment or even weighed down by other people's expectations. But today you cut, you cleaned and you healed and, like every good tech knows, it's not what you remove, it's what you preserve that saves lives. So if this episode moved something in, you share it with a fellow tech who's ready to reclaim their fire. Your voice is your power. Your purpose is your recovery and your growth. Well, that's your legacy. What is your legacy going to be? What is your legacy going to be? Your growth is your legacy. Keep growing, keep going, as I love to say.
Speaker 1:Remember, this is the Sterilization Station Podcast, where we clean tools and sharpen the minds that save lives. Until next time, stay sharp, stay sterile and keep impacting every ambulatory surgery center, every hospital, every department that we serve. Remember that you can be the change that you're looking for, like Gandhi said, and keep a mindset that's up and above, and if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. You can find me at Sterilization Station. You can email me at sterilizationstation at outlookcom. You can find me on Instagram, sterilization underscore, station 52, and on LinkedIn. I'm Bill Rochelle. Make it a great day. If you can think it or you can speak it, you can achieve it. May God bless you.
