While growing up on the east side of Cleveland, Jackie Jackson got her start working in hairstyling, but she always had a desire to be in the medical field. “I originally wanted to be a pediatrician — until I had my own child and realized it would be too fast-paced for me to work with kids.” 

Now working as a Certified Sterile Processing Technician at Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus, Jackie became a caregiver in 2019 as an Environmental Services Assistant. While her main responsibility was to clean patient rooms, one of her favorite parts of that role was brightening her patients’ days. “I looked forward to entering their rooms, sharing kind words, giving hugs and seeing their faces light up,” says Jackie. 

Moving Ahead 

Looking for the chance to challenge herself with something new in 2022, Jackie discovered a promising role on Cleveland Clinic’s HR hub, Workday. She accepted a position as a Services Assistant in the Sterile Processing Department, supporting the operating room by transporting instruments and surgical supplies that were properly prepared and ready for procedures.  

“After about a year and a half,” Jackie says, “I was inspired by the other technicians around me and knew that I wanted to do something more. So, I decided to become a Sterile Processing Technician.” 

Jackie then took the initiative to earn her certification from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association through Cleveland Clinic, where she also received education and valuable hands-on training that she relies on every day. 

Different Days, Different Areas 

A typical day for Jackie includes checking the schedules to see which one of four areas she’ll be working in: decontamination, disinfection, prep & pack, or sterilization.  

Depending on that day’s area, she’ll wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clean sets of instruments coming from the ORs, making sure to disinfect bioburden – e.g., bacteria, fungi, etc. – on blood and tissue samples. Other days’ duties include making sure instruments are working and not broken, sterilizing them to eliminate microbial life, verifying instruments with a count sheet, and assembling instrument trays. 

“While my team doesn’t directly work in the OR, we prepare all instruments so that the Service Assistants can deliver them for surgical procedures,” Jackie says. 

Jackie takes pride in knowing her job directly impacts patient care even though she doesn’t personally interact with them. “We ensure instruments are clean and safe, preventing infections and supporting successful procedures. And we communicate with the OR nurses to make sure they have what they need.” 

With the experience she has gained over the years, Jackie enjoys sharing it with others in her department. “I really love educating and training new team members. I love showing others what I’ve learned.” 

Making an Impact 

Jackie is proud of the contributions she makes to her team’s success. “We’re driven by a clear purpose and believe that the work we do is meaningful and impactful. We’re solving real-world problems and creating positive change. Imagine being part of a team that’s making a real difference!” 

What’s Ahead  

What’s her advice for someone considering joining Cleveland Clinic? “I would say, ‘Just go for it. The opportunities are endless.’” For herself, Jackie adds, “I can see myself moving up the career ladder. Plus, in the Sterile Process Department, they allow us to travel, so I can go all over the world and still do something that I love.”