17 Sterile Processing Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Sterile processing managers are responsible for the decontamination, sterilization, and high-level disinfection of surgical instruments and other medical equipment. They also oversee the staff who perform these duties.

If you want to become a sterile processing manager, you’ll need to have at least a high school diploma, although many employers prefer candidates who have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. You’ll also need to complete a sterile processing program and become certified.

Once you have the necessary education and training, you’ll need to find a job. To increase your chances of being hired, you should prepare for your job interview by learning how to answer common sterile processing manager interview questions.

Are you familiar with the various types of medical devices and equipment that need to be sterilized?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with a variety of medical devices and equipment. Use your answer to highlight any specific types of medical equipment or devices that you’ve worked with in the past.

Example: “I am familiar with many different types of medical devices and equipment, including surgical tools, endoscopes, dialysis machines, infusion pumps and more. I find it important to understand how each piece of equipment works so that I can properly sterilize them. For example, when I was working as a sterile processing technician at my last job, one of our surgeons asked me about the best way to clean an endoscope. I told him that we should use a high-level disinfectant on the device because it’s used for internal procedures.”

What are some of the most important factors that you consider when planning out the daily operations of your department?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you prioritize your tasks and manage the department’s resources. Use examples from past experiences to explain what factors you consider when planning out your day, including time management skills and attention to detail.

Example: “I always start my day by reviewing the schedule for the day ahead of me. I make sure that all employees are aware of their assignments and any changes to the schedule before they begin their workday. I also like to check in with each employee throughout the day to see if they need anything or have any questions about their assignments. This helps me ensure that everyone is on track and able to complete their tasks without needing much help.”

How would you handle a situation where one of your employees was consistently not meeting the company’s standards for cleanliness and sanitation?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your leadership skills and how you would handle conflict in the workplace. In your answer, try to show that you can be firm but fair when addressing issues with employees.

Example: “I would first meet with the employee one-on-one to discuss their performance. I would explain why it is important for them to follow company standards and give them an opportunity to improve. If they continue to not meet our standards after multiple meetings, I would consider terminating their employment.”

What is your process for training new employees on the proper procedures for sterilization?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and ability to train others. Use examples from previous training experiences to highlight your communication, organization and teaching abilities.

Example: “I find that the best way to ensure new employees understand sterile processing procedures is through a combination of written materials and hands-on training. I provide all new hires with an employee handbook that includes sterilization guidelines and safety protocols. Then, I schedule time for each new hire to shadow experienced staff members during their first week on the job so they can learn proper techniques firsthand.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to manage a tight budget for your department and find ways to save money without sacrificing quality.

Interviewers may ask this question to understand how you can manage a budget and make decisions that benefit the company. Use your answer to explain how you would evaluate costs, find ways to save money and prioritize spending for your department.

Example: “In my previous role as sterile processing manager, I had to work with a tight budget each month. To help reduce expenses, I implemented new sterilization procedures that reduced our energy consumption by 10%. This saved us thousands of dollars per year while still maintaining quality sterilization practices.”

If you had to choose one type of medical equipment to sterilize, what would it be and why?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of sterile processing. It also helps them determine if you have experience with their facility’s equipment and processes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific piece of medical equipment that you’ve worked with in the past.

Example: “If I had to choose one type of medical equipment to sterilize, I would say surgical instruments because they’re so delicate. Sterilizing these types of tools requires precision and attention to detail. In my last role, I was responsible for overseeing the sterilization of all surgical instruments used at the hospital. This included making sure each instrument was properly cleaned and sanitized before being placed into the autoclave.”

What would you do if you saw an employee handling medical equipment carelessly?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your management style and how you would handle a conflict with an employee. In your answer, try to show that you value the safety of patients and employees and will hold people accountable for their actions.

Example: “If I saw an employee handling medical equipment carelessly, I would first speak with them privately about it. If they did not change their behavior after our conversation, I would document the incident in their file and give them a formal warning. If they still continued to handle equipment carelessly, I would terminate their employment.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

This question can help the interviewer determine how well you perform in a high-pressure environment. Sterile processing managers often have to make important decisions quickly, so it’s important that they’re able to think clearly under pressure. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you can handle stressful situations and remain calm.

Example: “I’ve been working as a sterile processing technician for five years now, and I’ve seen my fair share of emergencies. In fact, I’ve even had to step up into the role of sterile processing manager when our manager was out sick. While I definitely felt some pressure at first, I’m used to making quick decisions under pressure. Now, I feel confident that I can handle any situation that comes up.”

Do you have any experience working with a large volume of medical equipment and supplies?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in a sterile processing department. Your answer should include an example of how you handled a large volume of medical equipment and supplies.

Example: “In my current role as sterile processing manager, I work with a team of five employees who help me process the hospital’s daily supply of medical equipment and supplies. We have two shifts that we operate on each day, which means we’re processing up to 200 pieces of equipment and supplies per shift. In my previous position, I worked alone, so I had to manage all aspects of the job by myself. However, I learned how to delegate tasks to my staff members effectively.”

When is it appropriate to start the sterilization process?

Sterilization is a process that requires careful timing. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to manage the time-sensitive aspects of your job. Use your answer to highlight your attention to detail and organizational skills.

Example: “I always start sterilization processes as soon as I receive an item for processing. This allows me to ensure that all items are ready at the same time, which helps reduce wait times in our facility. It also ensures that we don’t run out of supplies during peak hours. In my last role, I started sterilizing items 30 minutes before they were due to be processed. This helped us maintain a consistent workflow throughout the day.”

We want to be able to quickly replenish medical supplies at the point of use. How would you make sure that supplies are ready to go at the point of use?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to understand how you plan and organize your work. Use examples from previous experience to show the interviewer that you can manage multiple tasks at once, prioritize important projects and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as sterile processing manager, I had to ensure that supplies were ready for use in operating rooms. To do so, I developed a system where we could track which supplies were running low or needed replenishing. We also implemented a system of color-coded bins to help us keep track of what was available and what needed to be restocked.”

Describe your process for tracking the status of each piece of equipment and supply that comes through your department.

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to understand how you manage your team and the processes that keep your department running smoothly. Use examples from your previous experience to explain how you use technology or other methods to track equipment, supplies and inventory.

Example: “I have an Excel spreadsheet where I enter all of our equipment and supplies into categories based on their type. For example, we have one category for each type of sterilization unit, another for autoclaves and so on. Each piece of equipment has its own row in the spreadsheet with columns for when it was last used, who used it, what time it was used and any notes about the equipment’s status. This allows me to quickly see which pieces of equipment are available and which need attention.”

What makes you a good fit for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel about the job. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are qualified for this position. Think about what skills you have that match the job description. Also, think about any personal experiences or background information that makes you a good fit for this role.

Example: “I am a highly organized person who is motivated by deadlines. I also enjoy working in sterile environments because it helps me stay focused on my work. In previous positions, I’ve noticed that sterile processing facilities often need someone with these skills. I would love to use my organization and sterile processing experience to help this facility improve its processes.”

Which sterilization methods do you have the most experience with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with sterilization methods. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge and skills in this area, especially if you have more experience than other candidates applying for the role.

Example: “I’ve worked extensively with steam sterilization, which is my preferred method because it’s effective at killing bacteria and viruses while preserving the integrity of medical instruments. I also have some experience with radiation sterilization, although I prefer not to use it due to its potential side effects on patients.”

What do you think is the most important part of your job as a sterile processing manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand what you value most in your role as a sterile processing manager. Your answer can also tell them about how you prioritize your work and which aspects of your job you enjoy the most. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the responsibilities listed in the job description and decide which ones you find the most important.

Example: “I believe that my primary responsibility as a sterile processing manager is ensuring patient safety. I take this part of my job very seriously because I know that if something goes wrong during sterilization, it could have serious consequences for patients. To ensure patient safety, I make sure all employees follow our sterilization procedures exactly and use quality control measures to check their work.”

How often do you perform quality checks on your equipment and supplies?

Sterile processing managers are responsible for ensuring the quality of their facility’s equipment and supplies. Interviewers ask this question to learn how often you perform these checks and what your standards are for maintaining sterile conditions. Use examples from your experience to explain how you ensure that all materials meet your standards.

Example: “I perform regular quality checks on my facility’s equipment and supplies. I have a checklist that I use to make sure everything is in working order before, during and after each shift. If anything needs repair or replacement, I immediately address it so we can continue operating at full capacity. In my last position, I noticed some of our gloves were starting to tear along the seams. I ordered new ones right away so we could avoid any contamination.”

There is a risk that your equipment and supplies may become contaminated. How would you prevent this from happening?

Sterile processing managers must ensure that their equipment and supplies remain sterile. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would prevent contamination from occurring in your facility. Use examples from your experience to explain how you would keep everything sterile.

Example: “I have worked with many different types of sterilization methods, so I understand which ones are most effective for specific items. For example, I know that radiation is best for large objects while ethylene oxide gas is better for smaller objects. In my last role, we had a lot of success using ethylene oxide gas because it was able to kill bacteria on all of our instruments.”