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
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 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.
Welcome to the Sterilization Station. This is a podcast that empowers and inspires sterile processing professionals. I'm your host, bill Rochelle, here to bring you insights, innovations and expert discussions to elevate sterile processing departments everywhere. In each episode, we'll explore ways to strengthen department culture, embrace growth and impact patient safety. We'll bring you interviews with industry-leading vendors and showcase technologies transforming our field, making our jobs easier and more efficient. From hot topics and infection control to best practices and overcoming challenges, the Sterilization Station is your place to learn, grow and connect. So, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, there's something here for everyone. So buckle up, go ahead and grab yourself a number five indicator and let's dive in and get ready to thrive in sterile processing. Let's dive in.
Speaker 1:So today I'm really excited about today's topic because I'm so passionate about precepting and mentoring students in sterile processing. If you've had a chance to work with Bill Rochelle be around Bill Rochelle in the hospital you know he's very passionate about helping our students and about those who are just getting started in sterile processing. So I thought it would be really encouraging, inspiring and, of course, empowering to go over a few tips to help those who are in externships. I hope these tips will add value. If there is any questions that you have, you can always feel free to email me at sterilizationstation at outlookcom, or you can also reach me on LinkedIn at Bill Rochelle or sterilization station, and I'm here to service you in your quest for employment or growth in sterile processing. If you're transitioning into a new role and you're looking for a coach, please reach out to me. I'm definitely available to help you in your endeavors to grow and develop in sterile processing and I'm connected to a lot of great professionals who are also willing to encourage you in your growth.
Speaker 1:So number one tip is that before you start in preparation for your externship, it's very important that you research that facility. You know when you go into a new facility, it's always motivating to them. It always stands out like a sore thumb. When you know into a new facility, it's always motivating to them. It always stands out like a sore thumb when you know a little bit about the facility, when you know a little bit about the mission of the organization or the history of those who founded it, even researching into maybe that department and any new leadership. You know what I've done is always looked on LinkedIn. You can go to sterile processing search the name of the facility. You see a few of the employees there. You can read into their history. It gives you a little bit of a heads up before you start into that organization, with some of the people and their background, and it just lets them know that you're not just an average person but that you're someone who's very detail-oriented, which is a great skill in sterile processing.
Speaker 1:Also, reviewing the sterile processing basics, you know, refreshing your knowledge on decontamination, sterilization methods and instrument handling is always a good thing to do before going into your externship. It's also good to understand the industry standards. Familiarize yourself with the guidelines from organizations like HSPA who's formerly ISHM and CBSPD. So being familiar with these standards it is really important as you're getting ready to transition into your externship. And, of course, always remember to dress professionally, follow the facility's dress code, including scrubs, closed-toed shoes and personal protective equipment, and bring a notebook, take notes on procedures, workflows and important details you'll need to remember and also make a strong impression. Tip number two make sure that you are making that strong impression.
Speaker 1:When you first come in, you know that you're friendly, that you're smiling, that you're letting them know how you know being thankful, always goes a long while and arrive early. Showing up 10 to 15 minutes before your shift demonstrates professionalism. Drive early. Showing up 10 to 15 minutes before your shift demonstrates professionalism. As a good friend of mine, vince Cornish, would always say, if you're early, you're on time, and if you're on time you're late. Introduce yourself confidently. Greet your preceptor, any supervisors and team members with a firm handshake and a smile, and also just remember to be respectful and professional. Treat everyone with courtesy, from fellow technicians also to supervisors and anyone in the operating room in general. Just being being friendly opens up doors and potentially an opportunity with in that facility.
Speaker 1:Show you know you're there to network and connect with people. Express interest in learning. Make sure you're asking questions and be eager to take on tasks. Listen more than you speak. Observe and absorb information before making suggestions or asking questions. Remember you're the student and you're there to learn. It's not for you to remind them what the book says. Observe everything, a touch base with your instructor at the school and just try to glean as much as you can from that experience.
Speaker 1:Another tip is to develop strong work habits. Follow instructions carefully, paying close attention when learning new procedures, and make sure you clarify any uncertainties. Be proactive. Don't wait to be told what to do. Ask how you can help. I remember when I was a student, at the end of the shift they would wipe down the machines, they would fold towels, they would restock the workstations. I was always listening to the leads and the supervisors and I would just jump in. In doing that, I created an opportunity for a job. They saw that I was a team player and saw that it was worth me to be there.
Speaker 1:Stay organized, keep your workstations clean and the proper workflow in the department, from decontamination, assembly, sterilization. Just make sure you stay organized, it will stand out. Practice your time management. In other words, learn how to balance efficiency with accuracy. Efficiency with accuracy is so important in handling instruments and processing trays. Make sure you're double checking your work. Accuracy is key in sterile processing. Always verify that instruments are properly cleaned and assembled, you know.
Speaker 1:And then another tip is building those strong relationships. You're there to network. You're there to work assembled, you know. And then another tip is building those strong relationships. You're there to network. You're there to work hard. You're there to prove to them why they need you. And that's what happens when you go on externship. A lot of times you're there to show them. Your job as an extern is to show them why you're a valuable asset and a lot of departments will make an opportunity for you if they see that you're a value-added externship student and communicating effectively speaking clearly, asking questions is so important and learn from different people. You know you're there. Watch those in the department, see what they're doing, how they set up their tray, how do they wrap their trays, how do they pick those case cards, how are they communicating and also how are they carrying themselves in the department is really important and throughout the process of your externship, it's just good to show appreciation. Thank your team members and colleagues for their guidance and the time they spent training you. It does go a long way and a lot of people will still be building these relationships for years.
Speaker 1:Stay open to feedback. Accept that constructive criticism. We don't like to be corrected, but when we're getting that constructive criticism during our growth and development is very helpful and networking with those professionals is really, really, really important. And then maximizing your learning experience. Now you're there to grow. Make sure you're asking questions thoughtfully.
Speaker 1:Inquire about different sterilization methods, instrument handling and best practices. Request hands-on practice. Take initiative by performing tasks under supervision to gain confidence. So requesting those hands-on practices are really really important Understanding the why behind the process. In other words, we don't want to just memorize steps, we want to learn why each part of the sterilization cycle is essential.
Speaker 1:If you've ever worked with me before as a preceptor, you know I'm always asking you why do we do that? What is that for? Tell me what that's for, to show that you're actually grasping the concepts behind what we do. And every day you want to reflect on your experience. You want to write down any key takeaways, any challenges and areas for improvement and express interest in future opportunities. Let the supervisors know if you're interested in applying for a job after your externship and seek advice on career growth. And by following these tips you'll make the most of your externship and you'll set yourself up for a successful career in sterile processing.
Speaker 1:Now, if you have time, please if you could comment, and let me know if you have any comments. Which of these tips do you think will help you the most? My name is Bill Rochelle from the Sterilization Station, an empowerment podcast of sterile processing. I hope these tips help you in your journey as you go through externship, and always remember if you can think it, you can do it. If you can speak it, you can do it. Trust yourself, have faith in yourself. You've come this far. You can go all the way. Be encouraged. Please tune in to the next episode on the Sterilization Station, an empowerment podcast of sterile processing. May God bless you.
