The Roles that Make us Great

VPs of Sterile Processing - 1 CE

It's not the highest you can go in healthcare leadership, but it's definitely the pinnacle of the Sterile Processing career ladder. We wrap up this record-breaking Season 23 with an episode dedicated to Vice Presidents & AVPs in Sterile Processing! Join Hank Balch & Bobby Parker as they discuss why SPD technicians and every other member of the department should care who their VP is and what they do, even if you've never met them. If your VP doesn't understand Sterile Processing's impact and needs, resources and attention may be directed elsewhere, hindering your department's growth, surgical efficiency, and even OR revenue. This episode offers tips for getting your SPD team on the radar of VPs, such as requesting meetings, participating in hospital-wide safety/quality initiatives, and building relationships with key support staff. We also discuss pathways for Sterile Processing professionals interested in someday moving into a VP or other administrative role themselves!

The Roles that Make us Great

Instrument Coordinators - 1 CE

Are missing instruments causing chaos in your SPD? Are your count sheets looking more like a game of “Where’s Waldo?” rather than an organized surgical tray? This week's episode is dedicated to the unsung heroes of our SPDs -- Instrument Coordinators! Join Hank Balch and Bobby Parker as they discuss the pivotal responsibilities that make Instrument Coordinators indispensable in maintaining the safety and integrity of our surgical instruments. From purchasing and repairs to loaners and tray configuration, learn how these inventory optimization masters standardize trays, empower technicians, and curb OR frustration through their dedication and instrumentation expertise. If you've ever wondered about the masterminds behind instrument trays, this episode is a must-listen!

The Roles that Make us Great

SP Lead Techs & Supervisors - 1 CE

Are you ready to move up the leadership ranks in your Sterile Processing department? This week on Beyond Clean, Hank Balch and Bobby Parker tackle the trials and triumphs of transitioning from a technician role to first-level leadership – Lead Tech & Supervisor. We’re getting real about the challenges these new leaders face - from transitioning away from hands-on tasks to supervising workflows and earning the trust of your fellow co-workers to tips for facing this new career step head-on. Tune in as we share invaluable insights, drawing from our own leadership experiences, to guide you through the transformative journey of climbing the leadership ladder in your Sterile Processing department. Whether you're contemplating this leap or already navigating the leadership landscape, this episode will be your compass to success!

The Roles that Make us Great

SP Directors - 1 CE

This week we're talking about the big D and we don't mean Dallas. Tune in this week as we highlight the Sterile Processing Director role on this episode of Season 23, "The Roles that Make Us Great!" Hosts Hank Balch and Bobby Parker explore the dynamic responsibilities, challenges, and triumphs of leading a top-tier SPD at both the department and system level. From managing multiple locations and creating long-term strategic plans to navigating department politics, you’ll get an inside look at the day-to-day operations that keep SPD Directors on their toes. Tapping into his award-winning background as an SP Director, Hank offers his advice on transitioning from manager to director, building trust with your team, and aligning staff and other departments around a shared vision. Whether you're already a seasoned director, aspiring leader, or happy technician just curious about what your leader is doing from day-to-day – this episode is going to have something for you!

The Roles that Make us Great

SP Quality Assurance Specialists -
1 CE

Who is watching out for all those little quality issues in Sterile Processing that could cause massive impacts to our surgical patients? On this week's episode of Season 23, "The Roles that Make Us Great," hosts Hank Balch and Bobby Parker let you in on one of SPD's most effective secret weapons—the SP Quality Assurance Specialist! Tune in as they speak to the critical QA duties this role provides to departments from audits to data tracking, to targeted feedback, to performing proactive tray checks that help identify problems BEFORE they make it to the Operating Room. You'll also get insights around why they believe dedicating time to quality improvement and hiring the right fit for this role is a non-negotiable for SPD success. If you or your team has ever had a dirty instrument make it to the OR, then you're going to find real value in this week's focus on the Quality Assurance role in SPD! 

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To read more on the topic of quality in SPD, check out "Give an Inch, They’ll Take a Mile: How Compromising Kills your Quality Culture & How to Get it Back" on the Beyond Clean blog: https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/post/give-an-inch-sterile-processing

The Roles that Make us Great

SP Technicians - 1 CE

Think you have what it takes to be a Sterile Processing technician? In this season’s premiere episode of Beyond Clean Season 23 “The Roles that Make Us Great,” veteran Sterile Processing leaders Hank Balch and Bobby Parker dive into the good, the bad, and the overwhelming about life on the frontlines of instrument reprocessing. From sweating in Decon and answering panicked calls from the OR, to thorough inspections of surgical instruments, we examine the complex roles of these unsung heroes of patient safety. Come along as Hank and Bobby explore the direct impact technicians have on patient outcomes as well as how culture and camaraderie between techs creates an environment where talent thrives. Do you have the grit and passion to take on the unique challenges of Sterile Processing? Tune in to find out!

The Roles that Make us Great

SP Managers - 1 CE

For countless Sterile Processing professionals out there, the ultimate career goal is getting that coveted Sterile Processing Manager role. Even if you never want to carry the weight of SPD management on your shoulders, if you work in these departments, you're going to have to interact with this position. In this week's jam-packed episode, Hank Balch and Bobby Parker shine a spotlight on the driving leadership force behind SPD activities – SP Managers. Drawing from their own experiences in SP management, this straight-shooting duo is getting candid about the challenges and triumphs of leading (or sinking) a successful SPD. From mastering seven-figure budgets to fostering an enriching department culture, we’ll uncover the delicate balance between hands-on tasks and leadership responsibilities. Whether you're a seasoned manager or just setting your sights on leadership, this episode will have something to make it worth tuning in! 

The Roles that Make us Great

SP Educators - 1 CE

Sterile Processing Educators - it's time to answer the question of whether we really have time to educate the way we need! This week on Beyond Clean, Hank Balch and Bobby Parker dive into the critical role of Sterile Processing Educators. Tune in as this dynamic duo dishes out the real talk on elevating education beyond routine compliance to equipping technicians with the right skills and knowledge to succeed.  We're troubleshooting frustrations, from managing multi-shifts to truly connecting the “why” behind Sterile Processing to patient outcomes. With insights and encouragement for educators, managers, and technicians alike, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to revive their department's dedication to training excellence! Let’s get back to educating…the #fightingdirty way!