In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch explains how thoughtful signage and labeling can significantly improve workflows, efficiency, and standardization in SPDs: “While new employee orientation may only last 90 days, learning should last a lifetime, especially when it comes to the technical aspects of the sterile processing profession. Signage focusing on technical reminders could include anything from displaying specific IFUs for complex devices at the point of processing...
Feb 22, 2024•7 min
This week on Confident Certification™, host Sarah B. Cruz teams up with Jamie Shelosky to discuss the value of creating your professional circle in the Sterile Processing space. They'll share personal stories and expert advice on how to find, connect, and grow with the folks who will cheer you on through your certification journey. Tune in and discover the power of meaningful connections, the impact of a solid support system, and practical steps to envelop yourself in a network that truly gets i...
Feb 20, 2024•37 min
It's not the highest you can go in healthcare leadership, but it's definitely the pinnacle of the Sterile Processing career ladder. We wrap up this record-breaking Season 23 "The Roles that Make Us Great" with our episode dedicated to Vice Presidents & AVPs in Sterile Processing! Join Hank Balch & Bobby Parker as they discuss why SPD technicians and every other member of the department should care who their VP is and what they do, even if you've never met them. If your VP doesn't underst...
Feb 19, 2024•34 min•Season 23Ep. 8
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "What is UV Based Technology?" To hear more from this expert, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the Beyond Clean mailing list by visiting: beyondcleanmedia.com. Do you know a #SterileProcessing expert who you'd love to hear from on our series? Or do you have a question for one of our current experts? Contact us at any time via email at: info@beyondclean.net Until next time...
Feb 17, 2024•2 min
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch makes the case that competition in Sterile Processing education creates incentives for anyone involved in SP education, to create more innovative, high-quality content -- "Because every piece of education is uniquely created by unique individuals with unique perspectives, be willing to consume education on topics you’ve heard before from different speakers and vendors. One webinar on water quality in SPD does not exhaust the topic. In...
Feb 15, 2024•7 min
On this week’s episode of Confident Certification™, we’re going beyond the classroom to explore the value of Sterile Processing internships. Join host Sarah B. Cruz as she reveals clever strategies for scoring those tough clinical hours and how you can make the most of them. Tune in to discover insider tips for navigating the internship process, leveraging your hands-on experience, and paving your path to certification success. Whether you're just starting your internship search or facing obstac...
Feb 13, 2024•31 min
This week we're talking about the big D and we don't mean Dallas. Join us as we highlight the Sterile Processing Director role on this episode of Beyond Clean Season 23, "The Roles that Make Us Great." Hosts Hank Balch and Bobby Parker explore the dynamic responsibilities, challenges, and triumphs of leading a top-tier SPD at both the department and system level. From managing multiple locations and creating long-term strategic plans to navigating department politics, you’ll get an inside look a...
Feb 12, 2024•32 min•Season 23Ep. 7
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Why is Water Important and Our Responsibility?" To hear more from this expert, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the Beyond Clean mailing list by visiting: beyondcleanmedia.com. Do you know a #SterileProcessing expert who you'd love to hear from on our series? Or do you have a question for one of our current experts? Contact us at any time via email at: info@beyondclean.n...
Feb 10, 2024•2 min
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch encourages Sterile Processing managers to care for the well-being of their team members and help prevent employee burnout by cross-training and promoting a healthy work-life balance: “So how do we cope? How can we lead our teams and protect our teammates from the physical and mental burnout that can so easily overtake Sterile Processing professionals? Here are a few ideas that will help…" To read this article, take the CE quiz & d...
Feb 08, 2024•6 min
On this week’s episode of Confident Certification™, join host Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker as they outline key strategies for creating a successful self-study curriculum. Tune in to hear Sarah’s savvy tips for personalizing your flexible study routine, creating customized test-prep outlines, and setting achievable goals to keep yourself motivated and on track. You’ll also discover how leveraging supplemental study tools like videos and podcasts can help you crush your certification goals. If y...
Feb 06, 2024•29 min
For countless Sterile Processing professionals out there, the ultimate career goal is to get that coveted Sterile Processing Manager role. Even if you never want to carry the weight of SPD management on your shoulders, if you work in these departments you're going to have to interact with this position. Join us for this week’s jam-packed episode of Season 23, “The Roles that Make Us Great,” as Hank Balch and Bobby Parker shine a spotlight on the driving leadership force behind SPD activities – S...
Feb 05, 2024•35 min•Season 23Ep. 6
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch shares five keys to making the most of your 15 minutes of relaxation for yourself and your team: “Believe it or not, one of the most common frustrations and sources of conflict around the sterile processing break room has to do with fridge management. There are countless horror stories out there about stolen lunches, rotting produce, exploding Cokes in the freezer, lack of available…” To read this article, take the CE quiz & downl...
Feb 01, 2024•6 min
This week on Confident Certification™, host Sarah B. Cruz teams up with SP education enthusiasts, Chanté Brown, Harry Mullen, and Bobby Parker, to discuss the value of investing in formal training to reach your certification goals. We’re going beyond the textbook to give you the inside scoop on curriculums, study tips, and much more from industry experts who have established successful Sterile Processing education programs. If you’re considering enrolling in formal education, this episode is a m...
Jan 30, 2024•48 min
Are missing instruments causing chaos in your SPD? Are your count sheets looking more like a game of “Where’s Waldo?” rather than an organized surgical tray? This week's episode is dedicated to the unsung heroes of our Sterile Processing departments -- Instrument Coordinators! Join hosts Hank Balch and Bobby Parker as they discuss the pivotal responsibilities that make Instrument Coordinators indispensable in maintaining the safety and integrity of our surgical instruments. From purchasing and r...
Jan 29, 2024•31 min•Season 23Ep. 5
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch highlights how compromising quality standards even once in SPD can lead to a dangerous downward spiral that affects the culture of excellence in a department: "Every time the sun rises over your hospital, ambulatory surgery center, or endoscopy suite, that means you have a new day with a new opportunity to stop the line and protect your patients. This is true for department leaders as well as..." To read this article, take the CE quiz...
Jan 25, 2024•7 min
School’s in session this week on Confident Certification™! Host Sarah B. Cruz breaks down the pros and cons of investing in formal Sterile Processing programs. From resume-boosting and instructor mentorships to budget-busting costs and accredited programs, Sarah will give you the tools to pick the right program for you. Whether it’s classroom style, virtual, or self-paced courses, this episode will help you make the most out of your certification investment! Over the next 52 weeks, Sarah and spe...
Jan 23, 2024•27 min
Who is watching out for all those little quality issues in Sterile Processing that could cause massive impacts to our surgical patients? On this week's episode of Season 23, "The Roles that Make Us Great," hosts Hank Balch and Bobby Parker let you in on one of SPD's most effective secret weapons—the SP Quality Assurance Specialist! Tune in as they speak to the critical QA duties this role provides to departments from audits to data tracking, to targeted feedback, to performing proactive tray che...
Jan 22, 2024•30 min•Season 23Ep. 4
Did you know that your entire Sterile Processing department can become certified by a global accreditation agency? On this brand new Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™ interview, tune in to hear how Yves Theodule, Sterile Processing Manager at Advocate Christ Medical, pursued DNV's Advanced Sterile Processing Certification for his team and brought newfound respect and continuous improvement to his award-winning department. Also, learn from DNV's own Jeremy Gibson-Roark about how the Advanced Sterile...
Jan 19, 2024•46 min
In this CE-approved Articles On-The Go episode, Hank Balch explains that even though cross-training Sterile Processing staff enables departments to cope with short-term staffing shortages, it can also lead to leadership voids that threaten long-term excellence and sustainability: "Although the critical instrumentation needed for next-day cases may be getting done with these additional hands on deck, there are other real, important tasks that are not getting addressed…” To read this article, take...
Jan 18, 2024•6 min
What fuels your Sterile Processing passion? Why is it important to YOU to be certified? On this week's episode of Confident Certification™, host Sarah B. Cruz cracks the motivation code behind our career ambitions through success planning. She explores the core elements of motivation -- mission, passion, values, vocation, and profession – to help us better understand the WHY behind our goals and career achievements. Tune in this week as Sarah encourages you to harness your WHY and crush those ce...
Jan 16, 2024•23 min
Sterile Processing Educators - it's time to answer the question of whether we really have time to educate the way we need! This week on Beyond Clean, Hank Balch and Bobby Parker dive into the critical role of Sterile Processing Educators. Tune in as our dynamic duo dishes out the real talk on elevating education beyond routine compliance to equipping technicians with the right skills and knowledge to succeed. We're troubleshooting frustrations, from managing multi-shifts to truly connecting the ...
Jan 15, 2024•37 min•Season 23Ep. 3
In this CE-approved Articles On-The Go episode, Hank Balch identifies why it’s important for Sterile Processing technicians to take organized action to address workplace issues, instead of venting their frustrations on social media: "The big takeaway in all of this is simple: Don’t let social media activity be a replacement for the most powerful activity of all—you and your fellow technicians gathering together in your department and refusing to take no for an answer in your mission for..." To r...
Jan 11, 2024•7 min
Don’t just memorize, comprehend! On this week's episode of Confident Certification™, host Sarah B. Cruz explores the power of learning the "why" behind Sterile Processing concepts. Rather than just memorizing, comprehending the deeper meaning behind our roles is key to transforming how we prep, practice, and perform. Tune in as Sarah breaks down this critical concept with relatable examples that will help you take your skills to the next level. Get ready to move from mindless memorization to mea...
Jan 09, 2024•17 min
Are you ready to move up the leadership ranks in your Sterile Processing department? This week on Beyond Clean, Hank Balch and Bobby Parker tackle the trials and triumphs of transitioning from a technician role to first-level leadership – Lead Tech & Supervisor. We’re getting real about the challenges these new leaders face - from transitioning away from hands-on tasks to supervising workflows and earning the trust of your fellow co-workers to tips for facing this new career step head-on. Tu...
Jan 08, 2024•36 min•Season 23Ep. 2
In this CE-approved Articles On-The Go episode, Hank Balch explains how department newsletters are a powerful tool for Sterile Processing managers to showcase their team's important contributions to patient safety and quality care: “Newsletters offer you a strategic opportunity to tell your story of quality and improvement on an ongoing basis to everybody who is anybody in your hospital..." To read this article, take the CE quiz & download your certificate, click here . Stay tuned for new CE...
Jan 04, 2024•6 min
On this week's episode of Confident Certification™, host Sarah B. Cruz is joined by industry expert Rick Schultz to explore tactics for building comprehension and uncovering the deeper meaning behind our Sterile Processing certifications. Tune in as we explore ways to tap into the fundamental WHY behind our critical roles in patient care and understand the importance of what we do and why we do it. In this episode, we’ll uncover: The Value of Coaching Impact of certifications on patient safety P...
Jan 02, 2024•35 min
Think you have what it takes to be a Sterile Processing technician? In this season’s premiere episode of Beyond Clean Season 23 “The Roles that Make Us Great,” veteran Sterile Processing leaders Hank Balch and Bobby Parker dive into the good, the bad, and the overwhelming about life on the frontlines of instrument reprocessing. From sweating in decon and answering panicked calls for the OR, to thorough inspections of surgical instruments, we examine the complex roles of these unsung heroes of pa...
Jan 01, 2024•35 min•Season 23Ep. 1
In this CE-approved Articles On-The Go episode, Hank Balch outlines the actionable steps SPDs should follow to prioritize technician safety in the decontamination area: “You don’t have to spend more than five minutes in a Sterile Processing decontamination area to realize it’s a dangerous space. The entire concept of standard precautions causes some technicians to daydream about what horrible disease might be clinging to this orthopedic broach or..." To read this article, take the CE quiz & ...
Dec 28, 2023•6 min
On this week's episode of Confident Certification™, hosts Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker decode the unique differences between on-the-job training and off-the-clock education, and explore how you can use your everyday work experiences to strengthen your career prospects! In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Compile a list of knowledge gaps to target Merge training and education to elevate your testing skills Harness real-world scenarios to ace your certification exam Turn your daily tasks into ...
Dec 26, 2023•31 min
In this CE-approved Articles On-The Go episode, Hank Balch identifies how healthy competition and collaboration can work together to improve SPDs and the industry: "If you can’t get the job yourself, make sure you challenge the other applicants to be even better than you. If you want that big award for your team, use every competitive encouragement you can muster to drive your technicians to reach higher, dream bigger, and fight…” To read this article, take the CE quiz & download your certif...
Dec 21, 2023•6 min
