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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 26, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Sterilizing Tech I Evenings

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

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 25, 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

Tell me about a time you found a problem with a tray after it had been signed off.

What they are checking: Whether they raise something awkward rather than let it go through.

Tell me about working with a department that was frustrated with your area.

What they are checking: The posting names service recovery and cross-department teamwork.

What do you think about the fact that nobody notices this work when it goes right?

What they are checking: Whether they understand their part in the hospital, which is what keeps people in this job.

What would you do

You are assembling a case cart and an instrument is missing. What do you do?

What they are checking: The posting asks for high accuracy on case carts, and a missing instrument stops an operation.

The operating room is calling for a set that is not ready. What do you say?

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

How do you handle an instrument you have not seen before?

What they are checking: Whether they ask rather than guess, since a wrongly assembled set is dangerous.

About the work

Walk me through processing an instrument set from the moment it comes back dirty.

What they are checking: The full cycle, and whether they know why each step comes in that order.

How do you know a load has actually been sterilized?

What they are checking: Indicators and records, which is the difference between sterile and probably sterile.

How do you check an instrument is clean before it goes to be sterilized?

What they are checking: Inspection, which is where reprocessing most often fails.

How do you keep track of what has been dispensed to which department?

What they are checking: The posting names dispensing and inventory communication, which is easy to lose track of.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Northwestern Medicine 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 Northwestern Medicine.

The Sterilizing Tech I 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 stores 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. Required : • High school diploma or equivalent • Basic Computer Skills Preferred: • Certification as a Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) • Two or more years of 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.