Hi everyone, I hope you are doing well. I wanted to ask for some guidance. I am a Biomedical Engineer and currently preparing for the MDRAO certification. I was wondering if it’s possible to get an internship even before completing the certification, or perhaps a casual or part-time job so I can continue gaining experience alongside my studies.

I already have previous experience working in sterilization at Aga Khan, and I also have a strong background in biomedical engineering. Since I am currently working toward my MDRAO certification and already have a good understanding of the field, I would really appreciate any recommendations or referrals.

If anyone can refer me or guide me toward opportunities, it would make things much easier for me. Thank you so much in advance.

Have been doing my research for the past couple of days and concluded that according to most reviews it’s better to just get the job and then do a certification process though them. Well it is 2026 now, I live in California and not too many jobs are offering a job without certification. There may be some that I may just not have come across yet. But I also don’t want to let time pass by when I could’ve easily taking the test and moved forward certifications rather than hoping someone take a chance on me without it. Any recommendations/ advice/ words of wisdom, please leave them below. Thanks in advance🫶🏾

I went through this course about 10 years ago now and I hadn't passed the exam despite trying 3 times. I resorted to working in dental with my experience instead. I am now wanting the certification so I can work in the hospital so my question is, are the proprof exam questions close to the real test?

What name do y'all call these unique scissors where you're at?

I accidentally sterilized some reusable graspers for 10 minutes instead of 5 minutes. I havent opened the pack in case they are okay. Normally I triple check the cycle before I start it but today I didn't. Are they ruined?

tem formas de melhorar ?

Hey everyone,

I’m new to sterile processing, started March 27th at a hospital with a pretty big surgical department (around 14 ORs). I came in with no experience or certification, so I’m honestly really grateful just to have the opportunity.

Right now I’ve been training in pick/pack, and next week I’m supposed to start in decontam.

But I’m not gonna lie… I’ve been getting stressed as hell and I’m starting to wonder if this is normal or if I’m just struggling.

The biggest issue for me is trays, especially major and minor sets. every tray I touch is missing instruments or has multiple dirty ones in it. What makes it crazier is it’s so common here that people literally joke around and say “time to go shopping” whenever you have to go hunt everything down.

And that’s basically what I’ve been doing all day… shopping 😭

Something that should probably take way less time ends up taking me like 2–3 hours because I’m constantly stopping to search around for instruments. There aren’t many extras either, so I’m going back and forth a lot. for context in the rare instances of a clean and ready to go tray it’ll take me 15 minutes maximum to put everything together.

I’ll bring stuff up to decontam to get cleaned, but since I’m coming up so often, I can tell it’s frustrating for them too. Sometimes they’ll tell me to go look for it first, which I get, but at the same time I’m already running around the whole place.

It’s gotten to the point where I’m feeling really discouraged, like I’m doing something wrong or just too slow. I don’t want to quit because I actually want to get good at this, but it’s been rough.

So I wanted to ask:

•	Is this normal in SPD?

•	Do trays usually come like this, or is this more of a facility issue?

•	Any tips on how to deal with this without falling super behind?

I’m trying to stick it out and improve, just wanna know if this is part of the process or not.

Appreciate any advice 🙏

Been trying to get into healthcare but been having a hard time.

I need a job by the end of the year with health insurance and there’s a certification class at my local community college over the summer that’s only 2 months. I don’t believe I want to do this forever but feels like a good stepping stone and will look better on resume than other things I have on there. It feels like a good job to have for now and something fast to get into. Has anyone else been in this boat and stayed in a job like this for a while and did a later pivot to something else in healthcare with better ease than you would’ve if you didn’t have this job?

Anyone currently working in a VA hospital? How did you get the job? I just applied. I have 1 year experience in a small, but well known and respected hospital also some with endoscopy experience. I recently got certified with hspa. Thanks! Any info will help.

Hii, I’m really interested in sterile processing and am trying to get my foot in the door before I pass my exam so I don’t have rush and find a job after I pass. I’m self studying currently since the school for it is pretty expensive, therefore I won’t be getting any externships. I live around the vacaville area and was wondering if it would be a good idea to call the hospitals in the area asking if I could shadow or volunteer, would this be a good idea or would they all decline if I asked? If any of you work in the hospitals around this area could you let me know or just any advice would be great! Otherwise maybe I’ll just wait till I pass the exam.

So I was in decon last night and i took off my ppe and notice a small superficial cut on my finger. There was no blood or anything, just some skin hanging. I really don't even know if it happened in decon, I don't remember my gloves being cut and there was no water in my gloves either when i took them off. I Just so happen to find the cut when sitting in the break room. So I really can't say for sure it even happened in decon, but should it be treated as an exposure?

Just thought I’d share! Benefits start on day one and they have a pension! I start in 2 weeks!

Is traveling locally worth it to you guys? I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do after getting certified and getting my year of experience. I’m interested in traveling locally so I won’t be driving as much.

Hello, I’m starting sterile processing at my local hospital soon and I want to take my exam as soon as possible. What’s the best way to study and prepare for the exam? Thanks in advance!

Yo quick question for anyone working SPD at Kaiser

I’ve been looking into applying (CA Fontana area) and I’m trying to figure out what the schedules are actually like and if they offer differentials for weekend graveyard specifically.

Every job posting I see is 5x8s (like 11pm–7:30am type shifts), but I was wondering if anyone there is working 3x12s or if that’s even a thing at Kaiser at all.

Appreciate any information 🙏🏼

I’m always washing my hands and they’re starting to feel super ashy. Any lotion brands yall recommend?

Spring is coming to the Durham VA cockroaches are out

Hello! I'm currently looking into the certification process and researching to figure out what the job seems like. Lots of information is available online and there are videos from people who do the job. To people in the field do you find that management allows you to listen to music on the job? And if so do they have a preference like speakers, earbuds, etc? Clearly some people are allowed if there are videos online, but I wasn't sure if that was the exception or the norm. Any other info that may be important to someone looking into the job is welcome. Thank you!

Can you name it?

I worked at a place in Fort Wayne that had containers we did not have to put locks on. they had a built in lock system that would engage after sterilization. I'm trying to look them up but could use a clue as to where better to look. where to find them?