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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 1, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Sterile Processing Tech II - Feinberg, Full-time, Nights

Northwestern Medicine · Chicago, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 30, 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

Eleven at night to half past seven, forty hours a week at Feinberg. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states the hours and the building.

What would you do

A biological indicator fails. What happens next?

What they are checking: A failed load means recall, and how it is handled is the whole safety system.

The operating room needs a tray urgently. How do you handle that without cutting corners?

What they are checking: Pressure from theatres is the permanent tension in sterile processing.

What is different about working sterile processing overnight?

What they are checking: The posting is eleven at night to half past seven, turning trays for the next day.

About the work

Tell me about your sterile processing experience.

What they are checking: The posting requires thorough knowledge of aseptic and sterilization techniques.

Walk me through decontaminating a set of instruments.

What they are checking: The posting names decontaminating, disinfecting and sterilizing surgical instruments.

How do you assemble a tray against a count sheet?

What they are checking: The posting names assembling and organizing sets according to instrument count sheets.

You find a damaged or missing instrument. What do you do?

What they are checking: The posting names reporting and isolating damaged and missing items.

Tell me about biological testing and quality assurance on a load.

What they are checking: The posting names performing quality assurance and biological testing.

How do you use the tray tracking system?

What they are checking: The posting names knowledge and use of the tray tracking computer system.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

Schedule : 11:00pm-7:30am, 40 hours per week 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. • 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. RESPONSIBILITIES • 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. • 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. Required : • High School Diploma • Current certification by the National Institute for the Certification of Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution Personnel (NICHSPD) or the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing & Distribution (CBSPD) • Experience and knowledge of surgical instrumentation • 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. Preferred : • Previous experience 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.