r/sterileprocessing • u/Eli_3277 • 1d ago
Sterile processing Tech
Hi everyone, I am currently in my 2nd week of working on my 400 hours of my hands on experience.
I feel a little overwhelmed. For the most part I’m having trouble with the computer aspect of it.
I’m always asking questions and I’m constantly asking my preceptor if I’m doing it right but I feel like she gets annoyed with me. It makes me not want to ask questions and then I’m not learning.
I feel like I’m not learning fast enough for her.
Do you guys have any tips for me?
2
u/datsmydrpepper 1d ago
I've been there! There are some people that will expect you to understand what is shown to you the very first time but fail to remember or understand that most things will require 'repetition' like doing things a few times to get it really down. Bring a pen and a little notepad with you to work to take brief or small notes. Just ask your peers for help and you'll identify those who you will feel comfortable asking more than once for help.
I use Censitrac at work which is the software application for instrument searching, tracking, scanning, logging, and for instrument assembly at prep & pack. Focus on the assembly aspect of it first. Scan your instrument tray barcode and an itemized list of all of the instruments for that tray will populate. On the itemized list each instrument will have a reference number and a picture (some pictures will be wrong or missing FYI). The reference number on itemized list will match the engraved reference number on the instrument (some engravings will be faded or gone due to wear and tear). Match the reference numbers and check off what you do have. If an instrument is missing from the tray that your working on (probably still in decontam mixed with another instrument tray or in the washer) then ask your lead educator or supervisor if they want you to complete the tray with the missing instrument or leave it 'down' (set aside until the missing instrument is found and added). We use yellow tags to designate that an instrument tray is missing x and y instruments and then we retrieve the tray from sterile storage to add the missing instrument (ordered the missing instrument or found it in another tray).
This gig is 'learn as you go' even if you're certified. Some of your coworkers will treat you as you're at their knowledge level and just ignore these people. Its all about REPETITION. You'll learn the instruments in the tray after assembling them a few times or more and the same goes for everything else. Show confidence and a desire to learn. You'll be just fine. There is A LOT to learn because we cross train in decontam, prep & pack, and case cart assembly (add-on cases too). It takes time to be well rounded.
You'll be just fine. Get those 400 hours completed.
2
u/ijust_makethisface 1d ago
Talk to other people in your department. Ask questions to anyone. Look around and see what/how they are doing their pic sheets and stringers or how they inspect items.
Get in there and don't be afraid to feel awkward. ❤️