OpenTube

Sterile Processing Technician--Donna Reich

Portland Community College

1,034,949 views

A video crew followed Donna Reich through a shift as a Sterile Processing Technician at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center (at the time of recording, it was the Southwest Washington Medical Center). The resulting video gives those who might be interested a better idea of what it's like to work in the Sterile Processing Technician profession.

Link to the Sterile Processing Technician web page at Mount Hood Community College:
http://www.mhcc.edu/SurgicalTech.aspx...

Link to the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) website:
http://www.iahcsmm.org/

Video crew:
Executive Producer: John Sneed
Producer: Claudia Michel
Producer: Michael Annus
Director/Camera: Sara Robbin
Production Assistant/Color: Supada Amornchat
Editor: Lucia DeLisa

This video was produced by Portland Community College's Video Production Unit--https://www.pcc.edu/video_production--
in collaboration with Mount Hood Community College and was funded by a grant from the
State of Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development.
PCC © 2009

20 Comments

@LongEscalator 7 years ago

That’s my mom!!

@BLADE7617 14 years ago

I've been doing this job for 18 years. I'm a senior technician/team leader and totally love my job. Have to say though that this place is very quiet, our unit it totally manic as we cover 5 major hospitals and numerous cottage hospitals, still it makes the day go fast! We are totally overlooked by the medical profeesion and Donna is right without us we could render a hospital useless in 24 hours! Keep up the good work.

@kmendo215 5 years ago

I'm starting training for this in august. After working in customer service for so long, it will be nice to work in an environment where I don't have to deal with angry customers. I really think I'm going to love this.

@shane193 10 years ago

I cant believe she learned all of that in only a few months.

@MachineGunKali 9 years ago

I just got hired at a hospital for this. no schooling, no experience....I'm nervous as hell. it's sooooo much information

@TheMARCVISION 13 years ago

I am certified. Best part about is that u can choose where u want to work and the position is in high demand, especially for if ur certified

@Tiff0324 8 years ago

This job is great for OCD.

@lamarrhines341 7 years ago

I was working in dietary and applied for this position and got hired with no experience i was super nervous because its alot to remember..alot of instruments look alot alike but are called different things...i been working in this department for almost 3 years and its a great experience! Now im ready to move on to be a scrub tech all thanks to spd lol

@kimmyxoxo5449 6 years ago

You indicated you've only been working there for 3 months when this video was made...your a freaking pro, they are blessed to have such a dedicated and educated employee working at that hospital...God love you 💕

@CreativeExpression101 5 years ago

This looks like a perfect fit for me because I love cleaning, working with my hands and having a routine.

@rainfeathermedic 5 years ago

This is a true representation of an unsung hero, I have been a paramedic for 30 years looking for my next chapter this may be it!

@falconsvick7767 5 years ago

Currently a certified sterile technicians at Morgan plant hospital in Tampa it’s a lot of information but you literally do the same routine everyday it became so easy after good luck to everyone

@Mellow.Ashley 5 years ago

Im a sterile processing technician! 6 months in and learning so much ☺️ I’m also In school for surgical tech

@rudolphgartner9668 10 years ago

Donna Reich offers the viewing public a sincere, open, and direct presentation into the job duties that belong to a Sterile Processing Technician. I just learned about such a job a couple of months ago, and boy was I pleased to find such an informative and helpful video presentation as this one that Donna Reich starred in. Thanks, much!

@carmenruiz7653 7 years ago (edited)

I think all hospitals throughout need to start paying more for these position not only is hard work but realistically even if your at $13 hr who can live off of that. Without SPT docs can't operate patients which tells me that the salary that SPT make is way below what it should be. Surgical Techs are also on the low end if you ask me $45,000 yr in some states. All the hard work yet easy for docs to come in and make a good $100 hr or more. I think these positions need to be reevaluated by Human resources and the CEO of each hospital because something has to give. You have medical assistants getting paid $16 hr. While SPT are getting paid $10-14. And the workload is alot lighter for MA checking patients in and out. REEVALUATION on salary is what needs to be done.

@MinnieLitty 7 years ago

Wow, this job would be perfect for an aspiring Scrub Tech!

@cocochanel9285 5 years ago

I’m in online class for this and this is so underrated as a job .. I love what I’m learning

@Karen7k_ 8 years ago

This looks amazing! I just applied for a job like this! Fingers crossed wish me luck guys!🤞🤞🙏❤

@josee6134 1 year ago

That's the exact same processes in dental sterilization, right down to the spore testing, indicator strips, all the record keeping of instruments, packaging instruments, keeping sets together, finding missing insturments to complete sets before wrapping/packaging, letting instruments fully dry to avoid wicking, washing before sterilizing, etc. It's all done very similarly but on a very much larger scope. Sterilization is part of my job on a daily basis but compared to a dental clinic, this looks overwhelming.
Highest pay for this job is about 35+/hr. But after seeing this video, $50 should be minimum. Not to mention the high importance of this position.

@alilbit8 8 years ago

Wonderfully done video. I'm a CST for 3 years. There are days that I forget how long it takes to sterilize just one instrument. Sterile processing is the heart of the hospital.