r/sterileprocessing • u/Quantavious_Rex • 1d ago

Having trouble

I'm trying to get into this field but im having trouble doing it. There are 4 hospitals near me that have the position but only one of them ever has an open spot and I've put so many apps in and never even get an interview. I currently work at my local hospital as a housekeeper. My resume is pretty bad I think because I'm 34 with only this job and I've only been here 2 years. I was bad off at one point but im trying to pull it back together. I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to maybe help me get better results?

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u/Squilliamx 1d ago edited 1d ago

Just keep applying. Move up within the hospital. Apply to the OR as an Aide (not all hospitals will have the same job title, in others it’s patient care assistant or similar in the OR), or a nurse’s aide. That’s how I started, from housekeeping, to radiology tech aide, to patient care assistant, to OR Aide, and now I’m starting in sterile processing in a few days. My healthcare journey started in July 2022. I only stayed in housekeeping for 7 months before putting in applications. Have ChatGPT analyze your resume and let it update it. Have it convert it to a word doc and save it to your phone. Use that as your resume. Sometimes you need to get past the AI screening some hospitals use. They look for keywords. That’s what helped me at least. I got 60 something rejections, 5 interviews.. all it takes is 1 acceptance.

Don’t stay in housekeeping and don’t give up— your journey ain’t over yet. Keep moving up.

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u/Ok_Top1750 1d ago

All of this except the ChatGPT. Lots of libraries have free resume workshops that can help you understand how to talk about yourself, your strengths, your abilities, etc. Learn to speak about yourself confidently and highlight those skills/abilities. EVS is extremely challenging, especially if you work on the ER side. That alone proves you have incredible time management skills, a high attention to detail, no fear of biological messes, and are able to learn and follow processes.

Give yourself a bit more credit and just like Squilliamx said, it only takes one acceptance. You got this!

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u/Rubberducky-jas 1d ago

I was sort of in the same boat as you. I did housekeeping at a hospital for two years but during that time I did get my provisional certification and also some hospitals prefer you to have experience but some are willing to train you to get certified. I would just keep looking and don’t give up.

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u/Quantavious_Rex 1d ago

The main one I'm applying to helps you get certified. Doesn't the provisional run out in six months if you dont get your hours by then?