Q:What's a typical workday like for you?
It's very full. I get reports from the overnight shift and the OR morning charge nurse, who also gives me a list of the instruments we need for that day. I tell the rest of the staff in my department the priorities. I also keep the work flow going. We have four areas: decontamination; preparation and packing; sterilization; and picking of instruments for case carts. Wherever there's a bottleneck, I go and work there. I also monitor the results of quality control tests.
Q:How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?
Every day I try to make sure that I and the department that I am in give the best quality and sterilization for that patient, which they expect and deserve. No matter whom it is that person deserves the best of care.
Q:Who do you interact with during the course of the day?
I interact with the staff in my department, the OR staff and all the inside departments, such as the laboratories, X-ray and cardiology – anyplace that needs anything sterile, including HealthEast clinics near the hospital.
Q:Why did you become a sterile service technician?
I wanted a job where I could make a difference in the care of a patient and their outcome because I like taking care of people. I also wanted a timeline where I could take care of my family, and I could learn constantly. This was a good compromise.
