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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Sterile Processing Tech II Days Casual

Northwestern Medicine · Lake Forest, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

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

About your past

Casual, nine to two at Lake Forest with rotating to Grayslake. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: Honest fit with the schedule and two sites, which the posting states.

What do you think happens downstream when this department gets something wrong?

What they are checking: Whether they understand their place in patient safety, since they never see the patient.

What would you do

You find an instrument that has not come clean. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they send it back, which costs time and takes a decision.

Surgery is waiting on a tray and you are not finished. What happens?

What they are checking: Whether pressure changes their standard, which it must not.

About the work

Walk me through the full path of an instrument tray from the operating room and back.

What they are checking: Decontamination, assembly, sterilization and storage in order, which is the whole job.

What is the difference between decontamination, disinfection and sterilization, and when do you use each?

What they are checking: The posting names all three, and confusing them is how a patient gets infected.

How do you use a preference sheet to dispense for a case?

What they are checking: The posting names preference sheets, and getting one wrong holds up surgery.

Tell me about the tray tracking system you have used.

What they are checking: The posting names knowledge of a tray tracking computer system.

How do you verify a sterilizer load actually worked?

What they are checking: Indicators and records, which is the check that everything else depends on.

How do you keep aseptic technique through a full day of trays?

What they are checking: The posting asks for thorough knowledge of aseptic technique, and consistency is where it fails.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

Casual, 9am-2pm at Lake Forest location with rotating to Grayslake location when need . The Sterile Processing Tech II reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Responsibilities: • The Sterile Processing Tech II must have thorough knowledge of aseptic techniques and procedures, sterilization techniques and procedures, infection control and work flow principles and requirements, equipment and supply processing; demonstrates and exercises responsible judgment to provide necessary supplies and equipment for the patient care areas. • To disassemble, decontaminate, assemble, sterilize, and store procedure trays, instruments, and supplies according to prescribed procedure and aseptic technique. • Follows preference sheet to accurately dispense instruments and supplies to Surgery • This position requires daily flexibility to perform responsibilities, knowledge of routine policies and procedures and adherence of safety and infection control standards. • Demonstrates knowledge and use of the Tray Tracking computer system in assigned areas of the department. • Decontaminate, disinfect and/or sterilize surgical instruments in compliance with all established policies and procedures including infection control protocols. • Inspects, sorts, and processes surgical instrumentation in accordance to policy and procedures. • Reports and isolates damaged and missing items to Resource Coordinator and Manager. • Assembles and organizes surgical instrument sets according to instrument count sheets. • Prepares instrument trays for sterilization by appropriately wrapping or utilizing a sterilization container. • Performs quality assurance and biological testing on equipment and documents accordingly. • Operates ultrasonic cleaner, washer-decontaminator, heat-sealing apparatus, sterilizers and cart washers within established guidelines. • Maintains logs, prepares, checks and records test results. Approves or refuses materials from Sterilizer based on test results. Reports to management any adverse results. • Executes proper procedures for equipment malfunctions. • Prepares and delivers accurate and timely case carts for use in surgical procedures. • Responds to instrument and supply requests from customers in a timely manner. • Maintains a friendly, clean and orderly work environment. • Checks and reprocesses any expired items. • Accurately prepares and labels items for the appropriate method of sterilization. • Acts as a resource to other staff. • Maintains a working knowledge of all areas of the department by rotating through assigned work areas to ensure service needs of the customer are meet. • Maintains National or International Certification for Sterile Processing and Distribution. Assists in responsibility as a self-directed professional for continuing education. • Completes work from previous shift to accommodate department schedules. • Dispenses and delivers materials via dumbwaiter, tube system, elevator and/or handcarts. • Performs role of preceptor during training of new employees. • Communicates issues, problems and concerns to management in a timely manner. • Completes work from previous shift to accommodate department schedules. • Responsible for hand off communication to oncoming staff. • Ability to use established communication channels (i.e. Spectralink Phone) in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner, when coverage needed. • Performs other duties as assigned. AA/EOE. Required : • High School Diploma or GED or 3 years related equivalent experience AND • National (CBSPD) or International (IAHCSMM) Certification AND • Experience and knowledge of surgical instrumentation, human anatomy, and basic medical terminology AND • Experience and Knowledge in the use of all types of sterilization processes, decontamination, packing and shelf life, including aseptic techniques and their applications to various items processed • Physical Demands: A physical demands test provides an objective way to identify if a candidate can meet the essential tasks for the job the candidate has applied for at Northwestern Medicine. The testing protocol was established with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). • Job Role Requirement: 35 lbs lift; 65 inch carry; Push/pull 50 lbs Preferred : • 3 plus years’ experience in OR instrumentation Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more. Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

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