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Sterile Processing Tech Part Time Nights

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

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Sterile Processing Tech 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. Receives, cleans, distributes and sterilizes medical instruments and equipment. RESPONSIBILITIES • Cleans, disinfects, decontaminates and sterilizes medical instruments and equipment using appropriate methods, substances and equipment. • Receives, stocks, packages and distributes medical instruments and equipment. • Performs and documents required quality assurance testing and inspection on stock. Inventories and reorders supplies. • Properly disposes of biohazardous substances, chemicals, medical waste and unusable equipment and supplies. • Disassemble, decontaminate, assemble, sterilize, and store procedure trays, instruments, medical equipment, and supplies according to prescribed procedure and aseptic technique. • Follows preference sheet to accurately dispense instruments and supplies to surgery and patient care areas. • Demonstrates knowledge and use of the Tray Tracking computer system in assigned areas of the department. • 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. • Maintains logs, prepares, checks and records test results. Approves or refuses materials from Sterilizer based on test results. Reports to management any adverse results. • Prepares and delivers accurate and timely case carts for use in surgical procedures. • Checks and reprocesses any expired items. • Accurately prepares and labels items for the appropriate method of sterilization. • Dispenses and delivers materials via dumbwaiter, tube system, elevator and/or handcarts • Performs other duties as assigned. Required : • High School Diploma or GED or 2 years related equivalent experience AND must obtain GED within 1 year of start date AND • Sterile processing certification -National (CBSPD) or International (IAHCSMM) Certification within 2 years of start date AND • Basic computer skills Preferred : • Basic knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy • One year of prior sterilizing 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.

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