Five ways to Ace a Central Supply or Sterile Processing job interview

This is part three of HIGH FIVE, a multi-part series on leading a successful and fulfilling sterile processing career.

In your pursuit of a job in Sterile Processing, Central Service or Materiel Management, a great resume will get you the interview, but a great interview will get you the job.

Being contacted to set up an interview is an exciting time. It’s also the time to begin to prepare for the big day. Just as you wouldn’t go hunting without surveying the lay of the land, you shouldn’t go interviewing without investigating the job you hope to get. If you were fortunate enough to have taken a college course in Sterile Processing, you are significantly ahead of the game; but other applicants for the position will have comparable experience. Doing some interview-specific preparation will position you in the best spot to get the job.

Lori Dauner, Career Advisor to high school students at West Fargo High School in North Dakota, says “Make sure you understand why the position is open and the long term plans with the position. I would also suggest that they inquire about a mentorship program and find out if the program has a support system for new employees and, if so, how long would the support system be in place prior to the new employee needing to understand the job expectations independently. Another important question is to ask who their direct boss would be and, if unexpected barriers arise, what is the best way to contact the direct boss and how often would they be in direct contact with their supervisor?”

Although you will not be able to predict what questions will be asked in the interview, what the setting will be, or what types of personalities you will be interacting with, there are things you can do to prepare yourself. Here are five strategies that will help you ace an interview for a CS/SPD position.

1. Research the role: Sterile processing, materiel management and central service careers are not common career choices for most people. If you have not taken a course in Sterile Processing, you will be well-served to research the role that CS/SPD technicians play in the hospital before applying for the job. It can help to watch videos on the internet and browse online publications such as Healthcare Purchasing News and other trade magazines to learn the terms so you will be to discuss industry topics. The University of Rochester Medical Center published a great introduction to Sterile Processing that will be worth your time to read. Having a topic or two on hand to discuss with the interview team will launch you to the front of the applicant group. Even if you have achieved Certification through a college course, it will help a lot to have a few current topics to discuss during the interview to show that you stay current on industry trends.
2. Dress appropriately and arrive early: Business-casual is appropriate dress for an SPD interview. Slacks or a conservative skirt or dress, blouse or a button-down or Polo-style shirt are all great choices. Choose clothing that makes you feel comfortable so that you will project a good image to the interviewer. Shorts and tee-shirts are both bad choices. Never wear clothing with writing or large logos, never wear sandals or flip-flops (!), and never wear anything with a camo pattern.Arrive as early as you wish, but don’t introduce yourself until 10 minutes before the scheduled interview start time. Central Service/Sterile Processing departments are busy places. Managers, Supervisors and Educators are prepared for your interview at the scheduled time.  Introduce yourself early enough to show that you are punctual, but not so early that your interviewers have to accommodate you unexpectedly, or leave you to wait until they are ready. That could put interviewers off and get the meeting off to an uneven start. Also, turn off your phone. Power all the way down and leave it in your purse or pocket.
3. Be enthusiastic and authentic: The difference between bragging and self-confidence is enthusiasm.1 Show enthusiasm and excitement about the opportunity to interview and work for the company but keep in mind that your application is what interested the CS/SPD leadership to consider making you a member of the healthcare facility’s patient care team. The people interviewing you are usually the people you would be working for and with and will see you as a potential co-worker. A false note of confidence or forced enthusiasm will be a turn-off. You are in the interview to promote yourself, your skills and education, and your enthusiasm. Never fake it, just present the best of yourself.
4. Ask for a tour: Just as having researched the role allows you to present yourself as a person with genuine interest in having a Sterile Processing/Central Service career, asking for a tour of the department also shows that your involvement does not end at the interview. This will let them know that you are truly interested in the work environment and want to get a first look at the staff you would be working with. A tour also provides a great opportunity for you to make a deeper impression – so save an insightful question for the tour.
5. Send a thank-you note: One of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of being offered the desired position is to send a thank-you note within 24 to 48 hours after your interview. Interview teams may have many applicants for each job opening and sending a thank-you note will help them to remember your interview and put you in a favored position when making a choice between qualified candidates.

In addition to these five strategies, you may also consider seeking the advice of those who conduct interviews. Giving a good interview is an art that should be performed as flawlessly as possible. That’s a big challenge, which is why preparation is so important to ensuring that you make the best first impression, present yourself well, and leave a good memory in the minds of those who interviewed you. Good luck!

Source:

1. Job Service of North Dakota, JSND-6175 (R.11.12), Successful Interviewing Tip Sheet.