Learning Center

Actionable strategies to build and develop a pipeline for Sterile Processing technicians

Tips to reframe our role, enhance professional respect and recognize the value SP professionals bring to our communities

Sterile Processing professionals talk about work and life aboard a mission ship. Every year, the HSPA Foundation offers scholarships for Sterile Processing technicians to serve on a Mercy Ships mission, bringing their expertise and passion to those in need in Sub-Saharan Africa. In episode 152, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Kimberly Polard and Oliver Etcu about the Mercy Ships organization and life on a medical mission ship. Polard describes the application process and her experiences onboard. Etcu reviews how Mercy Ships collaborates with local governments to select ports of call and identify the inviting country’s most urgent medical and educational needs. Listen to learn about the life-changing work of Mercy Ships. Etcu also recommends watching The Mercy Ships, a reality show being filmed on board, which he says is “a very good way to experience what the ship has to offer from a volunteer’s point of view.” Stream season 1 here. Our Guests Kimberly Polard, Sterile Processing Technician Kimberly Polard, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, is an SP technician with five years of experience, including time spent serving on Mercy Ships. Her time at sea deepened her appreciation for the power of teamwork and dedication in healthcare. She is passionate about the critical role sterile processing plays in ensuring safe, successful surgeries. Oliver Etcu, Sterile Processing Clinical Coordinator, Mercy Ships Oliver Etcu is a Medical Device Reprocessing Technician based in Canada who specializes in sterile processing and infection prevention. Through his work with Mercy Ships, he has supported surgical teams by ensuring the safety and sterility of critical medical instruments in high-impact, resource-limited settings. Passionate about patient safety and global health, Etcu brings a behind-the-scenes perspective on the essential role sterile processing plays in delivering life-changing surgeries.

On a daily basis, Sterile Processing professionals use chemicals that can cause workplace-related injuries or make us ill over time. Although these chemicals are a necessary part of our jobs, updated monitoring standards and emerging technology can help protect us from their long-term effects. In episode 151, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Alex Hilliker of ChemDAQ about the increased emphasis on short-term exposure monitoring. Hilliker discusses the evolving landscape of standards and regulations worldwide and how the implementation of short-term exposure limits (STELs) follows global trends and increases the culture of safety in our departments. He advocates for changing not just the way we think about chemical exposure but also “the measures we take every day to protect our teams and verify compliance.” Listen and learn more. The ChemDAQ/ASP white paper on hydrogen-peroxide emissions safety (part 1) is also available for download, and if you missed Hilliker’s first appearance on Process This!, check out episode 125 : Chemical Safety in the SPD. ABOUT OUR GUEST Alex Hilliker Executive Vice President ChemDAQ Alex Hilliker is ChemDAQ’s Executive Vice President, leading efforts to grow the company’s Instrument Division, expand partnerships and increase global brand recognition. He is passionate about employee safety and educating teams on the potential dangers of overexposure to hazardous chemicals. He is a regular speaker for webinars, conferences and events. Previously, Hilliker served as a manager in Deloitte Consulting’s Government and Public Services practice. He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from The George Washington University and a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan. He was also selected to participate in leadership programs through the George W. Bush Presidential Center and the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. ABOUT OUR SPONSOR chemdaq.com ChemDAQ’s mission is to eliminate workplace exposure to toxic chemicals through innovative monitoring solutions, trusted partnerships and unmatched safety expertise. Our advanced sensor technology delivers reliable protection that customers trust, employees take pride in and partners value. Guided by our core values—trust, innovation, empowerment, teamwork, vision and loyalty—we create safer workplaces worldwide.

Water quality plays a critical role in surgical procedures, clinical diagnostics and medical research as well as the overall operation of healthcare facilities. Yet, confusion often surrounds ST108 and water management in Sterile Processing workflows. You’re trying to follow the standard, but problems persist. Now what? In episode 150, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Matt Bero and Brian Battani of Xylem about common traps SP professionals face when implementing ST108. Bero and Battani discuss how equipment can affect water system design and how to avoid undersizing or oversizing. Listen to increase your understanding of distribution loop pitfalls and gain strategies for maintenance, sampling and monitoring that can be applied to your processes immediately. [Guest bios] Matt Bero Director, Customer Vertical for Health Sciences Xylem Matt Bero is a dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in the water treatment industry, specializing in solutions for healthcare environments. In his current role, Bero focuses on delivering innovative water treatment tailored to the unique needs of healthcare providers. He is also active in shaping industry standards, working with the Canadian Standards Association on Z314. Based in Utah, Matt enjoys spending his time hiking, skiing, and spending quality time with his four children. Brian Battani Senior Business Development Manager Xylem As the Senior Business Development Manager for Xylem’s Health Sciences Business, Brian Battani works with the nation’s largest healthcare networks to ensure safe, compliant water. [Company bio] Sponsored by Xylem Xylem is a global water technology provider helping our customers solve the world’s toughest water challenges worldwide. Over the last 100+ years, our unique combination of innovative products and services, proven expertise and unmatched customer support have helped to create a more water-secure and resilient world. Across the water cycle, our innovative solutions use less energy, reduce operating expenses and support sustainability efforts. This podcast offers: 0.50 CE

The HSPA Board of Directors has a new president for 2026! In episode 149, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Jan Prudent about her inspirations and ideas and the importance of integrity. Prudent shares her views on the current state of our industry. She discusses why she sought this position, her plans for her tenure, and gives advice on how others can get involved with the HSPA Board of Directors. Czarnowski also highlights the educational posters available on the HSPA website. Submitted by SP professionals and industry experts from around the world, the posters were on display at a previous HSPA Annual Conference. They cover a wide variety of SP-related topics, best practices, challenges, and research and are a valuable educational and teaching resource for all SP professionals. Visit the Educational Posters page to to learn more at https://myhspa.org/education/educational-posters/. Note: The posters from HSPA 2026 in Baltimore will be added by early June. About Our Guest Brenda Jan Prudent Manager of Sterile Processing Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center Jan Prudent, BA, CRCST, CIS, CER, CFER, CHL, FCS, is an SP educator and subject matter expert with 29 years of experience in the sterile processing profession. She has contributed widely to publications and presented at many events, including HSPA conferences and chapter meetings. Prudent previously served four years on the HSPA Board of Directors with two as Secretary/Treasurer, and she is now starting her tenure as President. She holds her bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University and is an HSPA Fellow. Prudent has two boys and six grandchildren. She is a 4-H instructor for art, gardening and shooting sports as well as being a 4-H grant writer. This podcast offers: 0.50 CE

Harmonizing Process and Policy Large, multi-facility healthcare systems, sometimes spread across several counties or states, pose unique challenges for Sterile Processing (SP) leaders. Competing state and local regulations as well as physical constraints of space, conflicting priorities and different operating hours can make it challenging to harmonize policies and procedures across sites. In episode 148, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Stacey MacArthur, an SP professional with 35 years of experience and current member of the HSPA Board of Directors, about working effectively in a multi-facility system. MacArthur explains the importance of choosing to collaborate with other stakeholders, including fellow SP leaders and colleagues in Infection Prevention, Quality, and Risk Management. She reviews projects that have benefited from system-wide standardization and their associated challenges. Listen to learn strategies to work smarter, prioritize important tasks (not just urgent ones), and speak with leadership about change, all with the goals of achieving compliance and supporting sustainable outcomes. Guest Speaker:  Stacey MacArthur Director of Central Sterile Processing Oregon Health and Science University Stacey MacArthur, MS, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL, started her Sterile Processing career at the tender age of 19. She has worked in a variety of SP roles and is currently the Director of Central Sterile Processing at Oregon Health and Science University based in Portland. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Warner Pacific University. MacArthur has served on the Cascade chapter board since 2016 and is the chapter’s current President. She also serves on the HSPA Board of Directors. MacArthur is passionate about our industry and strives to elevate and empower the professionals who do this life-saving work. This podcast offers: 0.50 CE

To meet the needs of Sterile Processing (SP) professionals around the world, HSPA regularly updates its technical publications. In 2026, we are proud to present the fifth edition of our Sterile Processing Leadership Manual. The forthcoming edition intends to be a useful resource for any SP professional aiming to broaden their leadership knowledge. Many will also use it to study for HSPA’s Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) exam, which is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). In episode 147, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with the HSPA team members who worked for more than a year on updating this text. The group explains the reasons behind and importance of revisions, reviews the various steps of a book update, and introduces the many people and partners involved in the process. They also discuss projects on the horizon as well as new advances in how HSPA delivers its educational resources. OUR GUESTS: Jon Wood, Director of Technical Publications, HSPA Emily H. Nordstrom, Editor, Technical Publications, HSPA Natalie Lind, Director of Education, HSPA Amy DeGraw, Clinical Educator, HSPA Germaine Lee, Education Manager, HSPA This podcast offers: 0.50 CE

Sterilization wrap is a science unto itself. Individuals, organizations and companies around the world constantly seek safer, more durable options for keeping our patients safe, while considering the ecological effects of healthcare waste. In episode 146, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with members of the KiiP Group about shelf life, event-related risks and sustainability. The panel explores critical topics related to sterile wrap usage in healthcare settings, with an emphasis on the purpose and importance of IFU, best practices for sterile storage, metal mass and validated dry time, and opportunities for improving sterility assurance. The group references standards and regulations and closes with a discussion of the logistics of sterile wrap recycling. Packed with valuable information, this episode is worth 1.0 CE. Our Guests: Jennifer Zeck, BSN, RN, CRCST, CER, CIS Infection Prevention Clinical Specialist Solventum Malinda Elammari, CST, CSPM, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, CSPDT, CFER, CSIS, CLSSGB, HACP-IC Founder and Owner Crown Point Consulting Sade Brown, PhD Research and Development Engineer Owens and Minor Halyard Tanya Magaña Supplier Excellence Engineering Solventum This podcast offers: 1.0 CE

A History of Sterilization The history of sterilization science is fascinating, and is tied inextricably with germ theory and infection prevention. Without the pioneers of sterilization, at times working against great odds, the processes that we use every day to keep billions of patients safe would not have come to pass. In episode 145, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Kim Schober, who is the Accredited Provider Program Director for Health.edu about the history of sterilization. Schober discusses the early physicians and scientists who saw that the world could be a safer place, and how key sterilization advances in the past, helped shape out modern machines. [Guest Speaker] Kim Schober Accredited Provider Program Director Health.edu Kim Schober began her nursing career after earning her Associate Degree in Nursing from South Plains College in 1988, becoming a Registered Nurse shortly thereafter. She continued her education at West Texas A&M University, where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1992. Demonstrating a lifelong commitment to professional growth and leadership, Kim later earned her Master’s degree in Nursing Leadership and Education from Lubbock Christian University in 2016. Throughout her career, Kim has gained diverse clinical experience in Labor and Delivery, Infertility, Home Healthcare, and Rehabilitation. Her dedication to excellence in patient care and team development has led her to serve in a variety of roles, including floor nurse, charge nurse, nurse educator, and nurse manager. Currently, Kim serves at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas, as the Accredited Provider Program Director for Health.edu. In this leadership role, she educates and recruits instructors across numerous healthcare disciplines, including Nursing, EMS, Nurse Aide, Radiation Technology, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, and Central Sterile. Through her work, Kim continues to advance healthcare education and support the development of future healthcare professionals. This podcast offers: 0.50 CE