Sterile Processing Technician Finds Career Change to Be Just the Ticket 

Before she became a Sterile Processing Technician at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital, Hannah Lapitan was working as a phlebotomist, collecting blood samples from patients for testing. She felt stuck, that maybe she needed a career change, but she didn’t know where to turn. Her mother came to her rescue. 

“My mom had mentioned the sterile processing technician job to me before, but at that time I was already working and didn’t really look into it,” she says. But after working as a phlebotomist for over a year, she says, “I was becoming burned out, but I knew I still wanted a job that would help patients.” 

From apprentice to technician 

Before starting in her new role, Hannah took a course in sterile processing at the University of Akron. She also participated in an internship program within the Akron General Hospital Sterile Processing Department, where she learned the specifics of the job. Spending time within the department had a definite, positive impact on her performance and satisfaction with her new position. 

“The apprenticeship program helped me build a strong foundation before I became certified,” she says. “It made it easier for me to understand what I was learning in school and then apply that knowledge when I came to work. It really helped connect everything together.” 

Keeping things safe 

In helping to assure that the conditions for medical procedures are as antiseptic as possible, sterile processing technicians are responsible for cleaning and maintaining surgical and hospital tools for decontamination, instrument assembly, wrapping and sterilization of all reprocessed instruments, distribution of equipment and case cart management. These duties include:  

• Collecting and cleaning instruments and equipment after patient procedures.  

• Performing specialized cleaning for robotic instrumentation and a variety of specialized instrumentation.  

• Inspecting equipment and instrumentation for malfunction and/or missing parts.  

• Assisting in maintaining an adequate inventory of instruments, equipment and supplies.  

• Providing individual operating rooms with equipment/instrumentation as requested.  

While patients may not be aware that these functions are being performed, Hannah acknowledges how vital her work is to creating a safe medical environment.  

“Our role is to make sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes by properly cleaning, assembling and sterilizing instruments, so doctors have what they need to safely care for patients,” she says. “Even though we’re not always seen, what we do is very important for patient safety.” 

Teamwork makes the dream work  

The switch from phlebotomist to sterile processing technician seemed daunting to Hannah at first, but she quickly adapted, thanks to the help and support she received on many fronts. “Cleveland Clinic has truly changed my life because of this program and this role,” she says. “I never imagined I’d be working in this kind of environment or doing things I didn’t have the experience for.”  

This gratitude extends to her fellow caregivers in the sterile processing department, she says. “We have an amazing team. Everyone is supportive and teamwork is a big part of our environment. We really help each other out and that makes a huge difference in how smoothly everything runs.” 

Never give up 

Hannah offers encouragement to anyone seeking a job that may initially seem out of their comfort zone, using her own story as an example. “I thought the phlebotomy was really going to be the career for me,” she says. “And I didn’t know that I could do some things that I’ve never done before, which is like finding your strength and what you really love.” 

Her advice for anyone contemplating a career at Cleveland Clinic? “Never give up exploring and looking for your purpose, especially when it feels hard at first. Cleveland Clinic offers many opportunities and programs that really help you grow and find where you belong.”