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
Transforming SPD Education: Beyond the Classroom with Renee Moran Folds
Sterile processing educators shape the future of healthcare by developing skilled technicians whose work directly impacts patient outcomes and safety, often in ways that go unseen and unrecognized.
• Successful SPD students demonstrate self-motivation, resilience, and the right mindset to overcome challenges
• Effective SPD education goes beyond textbooks to include guest speakers, real lab experiences, and discussions about patient impact
• Finding externships and mentorship opportunities is crucial for students completing certification requirements
• Students should utilize resources like Beyond Clean podcast and network with industry professionals
• SPD professionals act as "superheroes without capes," handling instruments that save lives without patient recognition
• Building confidence through practice and teamwork helps students master complex skills and information
• Current SPD students value hands-on lab experiences and the opportunity to make a difference in patient care
For coaching to elevate your SPD career, visit sterilizationstation.org to explore our three-tier program designed to create your success roadmap.
In the world of sterile processing, one educator can impact thousands of patients they'll never see. So the question is are you just teaching or are you transforming? Well, today we're diving into empowerment for SPD instructors and how they can rise to meet the moment in 2000's high stakes healthcare landscape. So welcome to Sterilization Station. This is Bill Rochelle, the voice of sterile processing professionals pushing the boundaries of excellence. And today we're diving into something that could change the game, not just for you, but for the future techs you train and the patients whose lives depend on them. In 2025, processing isn't just technical, it's tactical, it's emotional and there's high stakes. So if you're an SPD instructor, or aspire to become one, this episode is your roadmap to becoming a more effective, inspiring and truly unforgettable educator. So buckle up, let's elevate the standard together Today.
Speaker 1:I'm so glad to have with us Renee Moran-Folds and a few guests from the school, and really looking forward to it. And so Renee has been a sterile processing instructor for over 20 years. She started her career at Mercy Health as a technician and later became the department coordinator, a role that she stayed in for six years, earning her CRCST, her CHL, her CIS from HSPA, and since then she's also earned her CER. That's amazing. Look at all those that's like wow, like the golden crown. Actually, she's got everything there. She is lined up with commas and certifications. That's really, really great. And then she's also worked as an educator for the University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland, as a sterile processing instructor as well, at Lorain County Community College, and since 2022, she has taught sterile processing at New Bridge Cleveland Center for Arts and Technology, which is a nonprofit organization offering free educational programs and workforce trainings in the medical field. And also we have two guest students, so I'll give them a second to introduce themselves.
Speaker 2:Hi, my name is Ayanna Mitchell. Hi, my name is Lugenia King, and we're in Ms Renee's class.
Speaker 1:That's awesome. This is great, really really excited In Ms Renee's class. That's awesome. This is great, really really excited. I am very passionate about educators and love to get them on the sterilization station. Without the students, we do not have a future, so we need our students, and so so glad that she's here, and so we'll just jump right into our questions, and so our first question for Renee is what's one thing every SPD student should hear on their first day of training?
Speaker 3:The one thing that's really important for me when students walk in the door is that they see that just by walking through the door, they've already headed toward success. They're already one foot over, one foot in front of the other, starting a career where they're joining a huge worldwide network of people who are professionals as well. That's great, no, that's so true.
Speaker 1:What separates students who succeed in this field from those who struggle or give up?
Speaker 3:I really think, bill, that it's motivation, self-motivation. Students come in sometimes and they're you know, they want to do this program, they think they want to do sterile processing. But they get a little tripped up somewhere along the way, a little bit intimidated by maybe how much instruments they have to learn, you know, and they can get discouraged easily. But if they stay motivated and work on ways to learn, invest that extra time and energy, I feel like those students become better able to be successful, especially when they go out on externships. Because they build that confidence they need to really tackle being in a real department as opposed to being in our lab.
Speaker 1:That's awesome. Just a reminder to all the listeners out there let's get out those number two pencils, those pencils, those pens. Get your iPhone notes out your Android. Let's take notes, because these are real experiences and you never know when you're going to receive something that's going to be able to change the game for you and elevate you. So just want to encourage all the listeners out there. What world does mindset and confidence play in helping students master sterile processing skills?
Speaker 3:Mindset is huge. Like you said, you have to build that confidence and you have to stay on track, like you can't let one little mistake or one little setback keep you from you know moving forward. So mindset is huge. You know, as a group students who come in and help each other and want to succeed even that group mindset is huge. And the classroom I had a class before that walked in the door and they created like the A team. You know the whole class was into getting 100% and getting A's and it kind of took over Like they all had that mindset that they were going to push each other to get the best grades and they were all going to do it together and they were all going to get A's. So mindset's huge. It can really change where a student ends up.
Speaker 1:Confidence is so important, especially as mentors. I know that in mentorship one of the most important things is compatibility. How can questions that we put on our exams and stuff are?
Speaker 3:not just you know what comes out of the workbook. We really, you know, I really want the students to think about things and you know the whole circumstance of what surrounds making choices in the field. So there's a lot of background that we go into and you know, looking into, you know what can fail and why it can fail, and not just memorizing. You know, looking into, you know what can fail and why it can fail, and not just memorizing. You know the technical aspects of what we do, because I think anybody could do that. Anybody could pick up this technical manual and read it and do the workbook and maybe even pass the test. But on the day-to-day job you have to be able to prioritize things, fix things that are wrong, and you have to have that understanding and background. So we really try and incorporate that in class as much as possible, in our lab especially, that's really good.
Speaker 1:What do you feel are some common mistakes educators make when teaching sterile processing, and how can we as educators do better?
Speaker 3:I can tell you what mistake I made. You know, at first all I did was rely on the book and, you know, a lecture. And then, you know, doing what I did in the field as an educator, which is just doing a lab, so way below what students needed, didn't push the students, it didn't. You know, there wasn't enough content and material. So I would say, if you are doing this, prepare a lot of content. Bring in speakers from the outside, bring in, you know, whether that be managers of departments or actual, you know, technicians that have been in. You know we I like to have technicians that have been in the field for a long time, former students. And then we, you know we take a look at personal motivations as well, patient experience and how sterile processing can contribute to that. So we look at a lot of things now, but in the beginning I tried to do this class just by lecturing what was in the book and testing students and that was. You know, that does not make a well-rounded technician, I don't think.
Speaker 1:That's good, that's really good. How can current SBD leaders support local students or programs, even if they aren't teaching them directly?
Speaker 3:That's a good question. I think we're fortunate we have a lot of hospital systems in the area. Again, it's great if we could have leaders speak to our students, kind of tell them what a career path might look like in their hospital. Basically, we can also have them do surveys to help us improve our program if they're not participating and you know what needs are out there as far as you know how many technicians are you know really needed in the hospitals in our area. So participating in that is great because we need that feedback from all the hospitals that are out there. Then you know, just having students as externship and being able to support our program that way is great if they're not involved in any other way.
Speaker 1:Very good, very good. So sometimes the student might be going through the program, might feel overwhelmed, maybe in the class or even in preparation for their you know CRCST exam. So what are some practical and emotional advice that you, as an educator, would give to them when they're feeling this overwhelming frustration?
Speaker 2:Get him as Tracy.
Speaker 1:Go on what she said.
Speaker 3:She said get Ms Tracy, part of our curriculum includes resilience training, vital skills and some social-emotional learning to deal with that. But that's our curriculum. I would say my advice to students when they're feeling overwhelmed is just take a step back. One skill assessment or one grade. It's not going to make or break you and that there's help out there. There's support from your students, there's support from me. So you know again, just take a breath, take a step back and regroup with whatever it is you have available to support you through that and maybe you just keep practicing, maybe that's all it is. You keep practicing your skill and you keep going back and taking practice tests. But you know, don't let it get you down. You have to stay positive and you have to just move forward. You know one little failure isn't going to end everything for you. Failures happen every day in sterile processing, so it doesn't end anything.
Speaker 1:No, I think that's really good, renee, and I just want to put a plug in here, for the number one podcast for sterile processing is Beyond Clean with Hank Balch and his group. If you both students are not tuning in to Beyond Clean yet, I want to really challenge you, give you a call to action today to really download that free app. There's so much content that you can fill your brain with, and there was a series that Sarah Cruz, who is another educator in the SBD space. She did a series on Beyond Clean, a 52-week series yes, a whole year on certification prep, basically preparing you for taking your exam as well as going into like externships. It's just full of so much knowledge and experience, and so I highly recommend those on here, and I'm a big advocate. Beyond Clean is my favorite sterile processing podcast, so I just want to make sure you guys please, please, please, get hooked into that. It's really really, really great. And so, renee, so how do you recommend students find mentorship if their school or site doesn't provide the structured support?
Speaker 3:That's tough. Our school does provide an externship and I see a lot online, if you follow any sterile processing groups, how hard it is for students to get out there and find an externship after you know to complete their 400 hours and find an externship after you know to complete their 400 hours. The only advice I can offer is, before you take one of those courses, really take a look in your area for places that are willing to hire non-certified techs, because basically, if you don't have that in your area, it's going to be really hard to get your 400 hours. I have not experienced in my 20 years a hospital that lets you volunteer. Not that I'm saying they aren't out there, it's just difficult. So I would say, go ahead and take a look around you in your area and see what opportunities are available. Before you jump in to doing something online, look for a program that would offer an externship, at least partially.
Speaker 1:Okay, yeah, I think that's really really really good. Yeah, for sure. I think that in some ways, some programs just the truth of the matter is some programs don't offer a lot of mentorship just because they just don't have the resources, but there are people in the industry who will pour into you. So if you need mentorship, just find people.
Speaker 3:That's true. I mean be mentored by people who are available, like yourself. Online you have programs not just to prepare for certification. So yeah, it's true, you can have mentors out there. I guess you know more so than doing your actual externship.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. I mean, externship is really, really important. And then getting you know and even having that person that's going to mentor you through externship because sometimes you're going to run into those you might have a challenge with your preceptor and how do you navigate that, and having that mentor will help you to guide you through that process. What's a teaching moment that stuck with you? Where a student had a breakthrough or transformation?
Speaker 3:That's a tough one, more or less. I mean, as far as transformation goes, I've had a lot of students come into the program who are not a lot, but I've had a few students who've come from other countries where English wasn't their first language and coming into here and trying to understand the technical parts but also just trying to get a grip on the language and understand what we're talking about. It can be very unfamiliar to students anyway. The jargon we speak as sterile processing technician.
Speaker 3:So I think when I had one student who actually had just gotten here from a refugee camp, he struggled in the beginning, he really did, and this was part of the group where we had the A team, the original A team, not A plus team. He kind of really roughed it the first few weeks and once he got through those first instrument tests and first skill assessments and you know, just first book tests, all of that, and figured out how to study, all of a sudden he just was rolling, you know, and that's all it took for him. He was very studious, but you know that that can be a struggle, you know, for anyone in the beginning is just finding your way to how you study and overcoming that and getting that confidence, but it's. It's definitely a challenge for the students that I've had who come from other countries a challenge.
Speaker 1:For the students that I've had who come from other countries. It's really really good. I mean, there's nothing like real experience. And then what's your message to the student who feels like sterile processing is, quote unquote just a job and not a real career path.
Speaker 3:Oh, I should let them answer this, because we've already tackled that in the first week, didn't we?
Speaker 2:Yes, we did. Specifically speaking, we went over the Alicia Cole story and it was just basically saying it's bigger than what you think and it's not just like sometimes when people get hospital acquired affections from not doing what you're supposed to do. It's not just like a short term thing, they might not just pass away. It can be a lifelong supposed to do. It's not just like a short-term thing, they might not just pass away. It can be a lifelong thing for her. It's years and she's still dealing with it to this day. So it's just more so about taking every step serious and putting in the work. Don't skip any steps, because it matters in the end.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and absolutely just empathy. What we're learning to do, what you guys have been doing for years, affects so many more lives than just the people that are on an operating table. I mean, I can't imagine being a physician and one of my patients is going through some kind of circumstance because of something that was missed that was beyond their control. So it teaches you a new level of empathy, because it could very well be us on that table or going through that procedure to be our family, and now all of us are affected.
Speaker 1:OK, that's really good. I really appreciate both your input and this is a good segue into asking a few questions to the students. Might not be able to ask you both all the questions, but Renee doesn't know about these questions To you too. This SPD program.
Speaker 2:Specifically speaking, I like technical work. I always I've been a caregiver for many, many years and I just felt like I wanted to take the next step. I actually tried to steer clear of the medical field for a long while, just because that was something that I always was doing and, naturally, like caring for my mother, yeah, so it's that. And then, like I have a daughter, I'm going to create stability and give her just a good role model. So this program was here, it's available, the people are the people and the resources are available, and so so I just say, like, take advantage of it.
Speaker 1:That's good, really really appreciate that, and sometimes we don't really know the things that we're doing. And you're planting seeds right, so they're eating off of your tree. That's just amazing. I really commend you for that effort that you're going through. That's awesome.
Speaker 2:Thank you.
Speaker 1:And then Lugenia right.
Speaker 4:Yes, you said it right.
Speaker 1:Lugenia. So what are your expectations of the program and what is it that you hope to achieve after completing this program?
Speaker 4:My biggest expectation is just to graduate first of all, but also just to be able to knowing that when I go into the lab it's not just a job, but I get to actually affect other people's lives. Kind of like Ayanna said, it's very much you get to be a part of somebody's journey, even if you don't get to see the final result of that journey. That's great.
Speaker 1:No, it's really really great. So we'll swing back over to Ayanna.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:What topics in the program are you most excited about discussing or learning?
Speaker 2:Lab is my favorite. Actually, getting to do the work, practice the work and just get familiar with all of the things that we'll eventually come into contact with, it's just, it's really fun, it's exciting, it's thought-provoking, I would say lab is my favorite.
Speaker 1:Nice, nice. That's really good. Yeah, lab's always fun because you get to practice a lot of the skills that you're learning in sterile processing, so that's really really great. Then we'll swing back over here to LeGenia. What skills have you gained so far in your sterile processing program?
Speaker 4:Oh, that's a good question. So far, I would say, really getting a chance to work with the different people in our class. We're very close-knit group already, even though we've only been in class for a week and a half almost. But the different personalities, the different ways that people learn how we can help each other and support each other, and what that looks like in a teamwork environment. When we go to lab, we very much have to lean on each other in order to make sense of what we're learning, because it's a lot of information. Other, in order to, you know, make sense of what we're learning because it's a lot of information, that's the greatest skill that I've gotten so far is just really learning how to meet everybody where they're at, non-judgmentally, and face our own struggles and be like I need help. Let me let other people help me.
Speaker 1:That's very, very good, because sterile processing is a team environment and having that team mindset is going to take you a long way. There's some good things in your future. I already know it. I already know it. Both of you both of you have a great future ahead of yourself. You're are, you are. This is an empowerment podcast, but I am being empowered right now. You are inspiring me in a very deep way because it's so exciting to hear the next generation of people that are.
Speaker 1:It's not just a job right, but you're doing something that you know is going to impact someone's life. I always say to people like you know, when you go to get coffee and you're on your break and you're in the cafeteria, you don't know who's in front of you, you don't know who's behind you. You don't know if the person at the next table is their spouse, their kid, their grandparents on the table. You, I mean, let this sink in. You sterilize those trays that saved that patient's life, and they don't know it. They don't know they're sitting right next to a super superhero without a cape.
Speaker 2:They're so nice and aggressive so.
Speaker 1:So you know it's like you're you saved that person's life, and so that's, that's really great. I'm really, I'm very, very serious. I'm very honored to meet both of you and I know that there's some great things coming in your future and really appreciate you taking the step forward, and you both should be very proud of how far you've come. You may not be where you want to be, but you're not where you used to be, so you're're doing really great.
Speaker 4:We got to start somewhere. It's a good starting point.
Speaker 1:That's right. That's right, so we'll swing back over to Ayanna. What is one challenge you've overcome in the program or what has been the biggest challenge so far? Go ahead and pick one of those that you want to answer.
Speaker 2:I believe my biggest challenge really is just studying. I do have a college education background, but even then I've always been able to, you know, fly by and skate paths. But with this it's more serious, and so I have to really take the time to sit down and study and process the information. So it's really just maybe adapting the way that I study, or that I used to study, to actually really put in the work and effort to study and make sense of the information, because I know every step is necessary. Like I said, you can't miss anything, skip anything.
Speaker 1:Good, that's really good. So we'll finish off the last question for the students. We'll swing back over to Virginia. We got it. Have there been any surprising or unexpected moments so far during your studies?
Speaker 4:I'd say the most surprising aspect is just how much goes into it. When people ask me, like what are you going to school for? I'm like sterile type processing. They're like what does that even mean? Like what are you going to be doing?
Speaker 4:Sterile processing, recognition and I kind of have to explain to them in my limited understanding. Essentially we're the ones who everything that a doctor touches, that goes into a person or on a person's body to do whatever procedure needs to be done, we've handled that in some way. We've cleaned it, we've sterilized it. The reason that they can use it is because we were part of the process and they're like everything. I'm like if it's a medical instrument, whether it's a dentist, whether it's a surgeon, whether it's an optometrist, in some way somebody like us has had our role in making sure that you'll come out of that procedure okay. So I think the limited understanding of what this profession is is what really kind of surprised me the most, and being able to explain it to other people and be like this is a great career. We always think medical field is doctors and nurses, but it goes so much bigger than that and there's so much more, so many other aspects you can get into, that'll still impact somebody's life, it's really good.
Speaker 1:Well, I want to thank you both for you know, for coming on today and participating and volunteering to share, be transparent, share your journey. I seriously really was really touched by your words. You both have really inspired me and empowered me to continue and really hope that you guys can reach out to me on LinkedIn or Instagram sterilization underscore, station 52. Would love to continue to be a part of your guys' SPD career and just really want to thank you for coming on the show today. And then back to Renee really appreciate you, thankful for you being that seasoned SPD instructor, and he was very passionate about cultivating the next generation of SPD professionals, where you're emphasizing both the technical efficiency and the critical role of sterile processing. So being an instructor in SPD in 2025 is definitely not for the faint of heart. It's for the focus, it's for the driven. So I just want you to know I really appreciate everything that you're doing. Please keep up the good work. Those tough times where you're wondering am I getting through? Or you're wondering, is anyone listening to me? They're listening to you. This is evidence right now. Listen to the fruit that's on these trees right, that came from the seeds that you're planting. So thank you very, very much.
Speaker 1:And if today's episode lit a fire under you, don't keep it to yourself. Share this episode with a fellow instructor or a tech who's hungry, like these two right here. They're hungry, right. And hey, if you're ready to step deeper into your leadership role, don't forget to visit sterilizationstationorg. If you're looking for coaching, whether you're a student, extern or professional, don't forget. Sterilization Station has a three-tier program to help you elevate in SPD. Let us create that success roadmap for you. We're here to help you. Let's raise the bar in SPD education together. Is there any parting words any of you would like to say to the listeners out there before we end this episode?
Speaker 3:The only thing I think I would want to say as instructors, you have to be enthusiastic, like you have to get students on board with what you're doing. You can't. You know you do. You got to have fun with them and you got to get them to want to do what you're doing and understand. So be enthusiastic. You know, don't come to work, just say a few things and lecture and be boring. You know, get out there and make SPD sound like it's the greatest thing on earth and they'll, you know, be sad if they don't do SPD. You know you got to get them involved. So that would be the last thing I'd say for instructors is you know, be that person that they want to follow.
Speaker 1:Ayana, do you have any parting words, maybe for a student out there? Maybe they're struggling, Maybe they hit this episode, Maybe they're. You know they need a word of encouragement. You know what are you going to tell them today.
Speaker 2:I would just say use your resources and lean on your team, Network, network, network. That is what Ms Renee has been instilling in us since the first day. So just use your resources, lean on your team and network in I feel like you'll be okay and be at that finish line to provide quality care.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I like that. Just one real quick comment. Someone once said to me your network is your net worth. Yes, all righty, we'll swing over to Lugenia.
Speaker 4:To close this out with a new word of encouragement for the listeners it's okay to make mistakes We've made several since we've started but mistakes is how you learn, and if you need help, ask for help, because the worst thing you can do is suffer in silence.
Speaker 1:I mean, y'all heard it, these are real students. These, these are real students giving you real experience. I don't know, maybe, maybe, maybe renee is paying them, I don't know. I'm just saying I don't know, but I got you. So, no, this is great, and I sure hope that in the future we can continue to highlight this great school and bring some more students on here, because there's nothing like really hearing it from people that are really living it. So thank you again. Sterilization station. Thank you for tuning in. This was a little bit different of an episode. Hey, that's why it's called a station. You know, you never know what you're going to find when you tune on the station. So keep liking, commenting, subscribing, keep following us. We just hit 16.9 thousand downloads. We're growing. So, hey, we're here to empower and inspire and encourage. So we're going to sign out on this one and we will see you soon.
