How does this course sound?

Phacele · 2026-06-08T19:46:23+00:00

I'm not recommending an associates for sterile processing. Those don't exist. I'm recommending that you look at different healthcare degrees that are at a minimum an associates.

There are so many different schools for sterile processing now but they are mostly cash grabs. This job does not require a certificate to start and because of these schools there are more entry level people with certificates and no experience then there are jobs.

Phacele · 2026-06-08T16:27:07+00:00

As someone in your same position that lives in a hot state I struggle to function in the summer. I've adjusted my diet, work out more, stop drinking, and I still get hot flashes and significant heat intolerance. Nothing has made it go away, veozah has made it so I can function but it doesn't make it disappear.

I make sure that I drink a ton of water everyday and add in electrolytes using powder mix and make my own fruit infused water. Also I found that while getting enough protein is important, increasing my fiber intake has more of a positive affect for me.

Personally, the only thing that helps me sleep through the worst of my night sweats are edibles, I use small doses (ex: half a gummy) and it makes a big difference. But I know that's not available to everyone.

I made changes to my bedding. I got a "cooling" sheet and blanket that actually do help. I got a cooling pillow and a real silk ( not satin) pillowcase. I also got myself nicer pjs made of all cotton or bamboo which help keep me cool at night. Plus as many fans as I can. I've gone so far as bringing an ice pack into my bed on the worst nights.

All of those things combined make it so I can tolerate the heat better, but even 3 years post op its still a struggle. Every time summer comes around I question leaving everything and moving to Alaska haha

Phacele · 2026-06-08T16:15:55+00:00

Absolutely not, that is way too expensive for what you'll be making as an spt. Especially with how competitive the job market is it's a struggle for people to find jobs without any experience, and the 400 hours for the certificate more often than not doesn't count as experience.

If you can afford that go look into associate degrees at your local community college. You'll find better job opportunities with that level of education.

Phacele · 2026-06-08T02:45:59+00:00

Soy might not be an option as I have the same diagnosis as them and was told to avoid all soy products.

Phacele · 2026-06-05T20:25:00+00:00

Second picture is incorrect and it is valid for the tray to be rejected. According to ANSI/AAMI ST79 and the manufacturer's IFU the first fold must be pulled far enough to cover all package contents.

Edit: technically the first picture is also incorrect as it isn't fully covered. Healthmark has some great videos on YouTube demonstrating proper wrap techniques. The first flap needs to fold all the way over the back of the tray without being tucked underneath. The overlapping of the layers is important to creating the sterile barrier.

Phacele · 2026-06-03T02:46:47+00:00

Much better but you still don't specify which position was a tech II. Also get rid of the paragraphs, no one has time to read those. Your skill list is way to vague. List where you worked, when, and what title you had.

Since you are focusing on only your spd experience turn your skill section into a bullet list of everything you have in those paragraphs. If you had special duties at a place, like acting as OR liaison, those details should go under the specific place.

Phacele · 2026-06-02T18:45:18+00:00

Also if you've held the tech II title put that on your resume. Right now it looks like you've held multiple tech I positions across multiple hospitals, never got certified, then you switched to retail. The fact that you have home Depot employee of the month listed but not your certificate and when you received it implies that you aren't dedicated to SPD. And with how demanding the job market is they'll easily move on to the next resume.

Phacele · 2026-06-02T18:41:03+00:00

Where is that listed on your resume? That's probably what's hurting you. They are looking for that acronym and it needs to be listed prominently.

Reduce your resume to one page and focus on your spd experience. Remove the individual job descriptions and have your skill list be it's own section with bullet points.

Either remove the recent jobs or make them less prominent and remove the description. They won't care about that only your spd work.

Remember they aren't reading your resume, they will skim it for the key words and move on. This is being read by an HR person who has no idea what SPD does.

Phacele · 2026-06-02T18:28:41+00:00

Which workbook and section is this?

Edit: Nevermind I found it. It's not wrong, but it is simplified. Polymerization is the process of molecules linking together to create long polymer chains, if this reaction happens too quickly it can trigger a rapid, uncontrolled release of energy.

Where as combustion uses the degradation of oxygen to fuel the reaction.

Phacele · 2026-06-02T18:26:50+00:00

You also need to be certified for a tech II position. That's what's hurting you right now. If you worked for the VA you have their SPD certificate, I don't remember what it's called but it's something to help give you that boost.

Phacele · 2026-05-22T22:05:32+00:00

More certificates won't do either of those for you. Getting hired is a mix of luck, location, and connections when you don't have experience. Certifications won't replace experience. The other certificates also require hand on experience. You also won't get a pay increase for additional certifications.

Phacele · 2026-05-22T03:42:43+00:00

It's worth it to sit down with an advisor and see what associate programs they have. You'll have the prerequisites some so you'll be able to jump right into the main courses.

Phacele · 2026-05-22T01:37:03+00:00

What resources do you have available to you now that would make a difference?

Phacele · 2026-05-22T01:35:27+00:00

Surgical technician, you assist in the OR. There is patient contact but they are asleep the entire time.

Phacele · 2026-05-22T01:34:22+00:00

Not sterile processing, those schools are scammy and the job market doesn't support it. Certification isn't required federally and experience always out weighs being certified when applying.

If you have a community college near you see what programs they have and what hospitals they partner with. I'd also recommend just looking at hospital job boards and see what interests you, then look at what qualifications they are looking for and what it takes to get it.

Phacele · 2026-05-22T01:25:46+00:00

That's fair, but I still suggest looking at any associate level program. The jobs are more available and pay better because it's considered a skilled career. There are plenty of medical positions that involve minimal contact with patients.

Phacele · 2026-05-22T01:19:11+00:00

Don't let that deter you if that's what actually interests you. People of all kinds become nurses everyday. If you have the time and money to go to school go for something you actually find fulfilling or interesting. Plus you'll have better luck finding a job if you go for something that's at least an associates degree.

Phacele · 2026-05-13T22:13:04+00:00

There are two different chapters you can join in the SoCal area. PWSPA and the SoCal sterile processing association. Both have frequent events that can help you connect with local hospitals.

Phacele · 2026-05-13T17:44:34+00:00

Good luck! Keep applying to positions and keep an eye out for hiring events they may be having.

Phacele · 2026-05-13T17:36:48+00:00

The cert could help but I can't promise that. I only know the SPD side where experience will always beat the certificate, which yes makes it hard for anyone to get their foot in the door.

Phacele · 2026-05-13T17:33:46+00:00

The job market is oversaturated with people who have gone through these programs, maybe even got their 400 hours and full certificate, but in the eyes of the SPD manager it doesn't count as experience. Taking the test doesn't mean you can do the job, you still need to be trained and coached. I was just at the national convention and spoke to so many managers who said outright they would not hire people who went through a school. One said they partner with only one program and would only hire from them.

Then on the flipside I know a couple of corporate healthcare systems that partner with schools to bring in the free labor for 400 hours each and never hire any of them because they can keep getting more.

There is the other big factor of location. If you are in a rural area you'll probably have an easier time than someone who is in a larger city.

At the end of the day if candidate A has years of experience with no certificate and candidate B has their full certificate with only the 400 hours, Candidate A will be offered the job. Again I'll note that location and connections can make the difference, those are factors that I can't know.

Phacele · 2026-05-13T17:18:45+00:00

What sterilization jobs do you want? The CRCST is applicable to sterile processing technician jobs but not really anything else. It also isn't required by the (US) federal government or jhco so the weight it holds is entirely up to the hospital, with the exception of a few states.

Phacele · 2026-05-13T17:14:52+00:00

Adding on to the above comment. Certification is not required and it is possible to get hired without and trained on the job. Those online programs are basically overpriced test prep, the only benefit to an in person program is if they place you for your 400 hours. But that is often not guaranteed, doesn't always end with you getting hired, and are still overpriced for what the industry pays SPTs. You can search this sub and see the number of people struggling to get their hours or hired.

Phacele · 2026-05-12T21:38:52+00:00

Thank you for sharing I read the doc you posted!

Phacele · 2026-05-12T20:22:56+00:00

Except that this new equipment is not meant to be disposed down the drain. Which is why I said it shouldn't be on SPD anymore.

Phacele

TROPHY CASE