JobsAdvocate Health

STERILE PROCESSING TECH II

Advocate Health · Park Ridge, IL

Posted Sep 13, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

Apply at Advocate Health

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you caught a problem with an instrument, like damage or a missing piece, right before a set was going to go out. What did you do?

attention to detail and whether they escalate instead of letting a flawed set slip through

Tell me about a time you had to explain a delay or a problem to a surgical team or OR staff who were frustrated. How did that conversation go?

communication skills and professionalism when acting as liaison between departments

Describe a time you trained or precepted a newer technician. What did you focus on and how did you know it was sinking in?

aptitude and willingness to take on mentoring duties expected at this level

Tell me about an improvement idea you brought to a manager or team. What was the problem and what happened after you raised it?

initiative and follow-through on the quality improvement expectations listed in the role

Tell me about a time the department felt chaotic or backed up and you had to just keep moving and stay accurate anyway.

resilience and reliability of work quality under sustained pressure, common in SPD

Technical

Walk me through how you inspect and assemble a specialty instrument set, from the moment it arrives until it's ready for sterilization.

whether the candidate has real hands-on assembly competence beyond entry-level, including quality checks

How do you set up and manage the decontamination area to keep a steady workflow without risking cross-contamination?

practical knowledge of decontam protocols and PPE use under real shift pressure

What's your experience with sterilization equipment, like steam autoclaves or low-temperature systems, and how do you confirm a load actually met sterilization parameters?

depth of technical knowledge required for the SPD Tech I overlap duties

Are you currently a Registered Central Service Tech, and how have you kept that certification and your knowledge current?

confirms required credential and ongoing engagement with the field

Situational

Say you're the lead tech on a weekend night shift and two people call out sick, but case carts are due in twenty minutes. What do you do?

ability to reprioritize staffing and workflow under pressure while in a charge role

If you noticed a piece of equipment wasn't working right in the middle of a shift, what steps would you take?

knowledge of escalation procedures to management and biomed, and whether they document properly

How do you personally verify that PPE and safety protocols are being followed by others on your shift, not just yourself?

willingness to enforce standards as an informal leader without overstepping authority

This role rotates weekends, holidays, and an overnight shift ending at 7:30 in the morning. How do you handle that kind of schedule over the long term?

realistic assessment of fit with the demanding shift pattern before it becomes a retention issue

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Advocate Health from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 37719 Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - Sterile Processing Services Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: 11PM-7:30PM ROTATIONAL WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. Pay Range: $21.85 - $32.80 Major Responsibilities: Assembles general and specialty instruments and sets 1)Examines surgical instrumentation for cleanliness, proper assembly and proper performance. 2)Assembles instrument set, ensuring that the correct number and type of instruments are present following established lists. Placing the instruments appropriately to ensure sterilization and ease of use by the user. 3)Check instrument performance and identify repair needs. 4)Acts as resource on instrument identification, appropriate use, location, and availability. Decontamination of General and Specialty instruments and sets 4)Maintains a neat and clean work area at all times. 5)Reports improper equipment operation to person in charge. 6)Handles infectious waste according to established hospital procedure. 1)Demonstrates independent function in ensuring that soiled instrumentation is decontaminated in a manner that prevents cross-contamination. 2)Follows PPE protocol when in decontam. 3)Sets up decontamination equipment for operation and ensures proper function and continuous work flow throughout the shift. Performs all SPD Tech I accountabilities when assigned. 1)Assembles case carts for all areas SPD services. 2)Follows sterilization protocol according to SPD Tech I job description Demonstration of Leadership Behaviors 1)When in charge assists with adjustment in daily work assignments to compensate for fluctuation to work flow. 2)Observes employee activities throughout the shift to ensure that established procedures are being followed for quality control. 3)Notifies manager of any problems that occur during the shift. 4)Assists in ensuring that equipment is properly functioning by communicating equipment malfunctions to manager and/or Engineering/Biomed and completing appropriate work orders. 5)Acts as liaison between SPD and other departments to interpret problems that occur and communicate back to them in a courteous and professional manner. 6)Monitors the activities of employees in SPD, on weekends and holidays. Being accountable for an effective and efficient operation. Implementation of Quality Improvement Ideas to Enhance Operation and Team Function 1)Identifies, discusses with manager the problem/improvement opportunities that will be focused on for the year. 2)Presents problem/improvement opportunities with an action plan. 3)Assists in precepting and/or training of new technicians. Education/Experience Required: • High school diploma. • 2 yrs. SPD experience Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Ability to communicate and follow directions. • Computer skills. • Experienced in operating sterilization equipment • Registered Central Service Tech.. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • ETO exposure. • Exposure to blood/body fluids. • Heavy lifting 30-40lbs. • Hepatitis vacc. at hire. • Ability to respond quickly to emergent situations. • Strength/dexterity to handle surgical instruments/equipment • Ability to access all areas of the department Refer to job characteristics. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

Apply at Advocate Health

Related jobs

Physical Therapist (PT) - Acute Care and Emergency

Advocate Health · Elgin, IL

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Medical Assistant (MA)/LPN - OB/GYN

Advocate Health · Franklin, WI

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Family Medicine - Full Time

Advocate Health · Summit, WI

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Registered Nurse (RN) - Orland Park

Advocate Health · Orland Park, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20

GI Scheduler

Advocate Health · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20

Supervisor Clinical Physician Practice (Orland Park)

Advocate Health · Orland Park, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20