u/Hot_Formal1726

I usually only finish 3 to 4 trays during an 8-hour shift, even when I’m working quickly.

Granted trays I grab have 70 or 100 items, but the real problem is that each tray often has the wrong items or missing items, which slows me down.

Also, every time I take an instrument from the wall or cubby, I need to wash it by hand. I also make sure to complete all quality checks and inspections.

I understand I’m working carefully and not rushing or skipping steps, but I’m worried that if I don’t become more productive, I might get in trouble.

It’s my third week in sterile and I am doing my 400 hours and in training technically. I overheard people in the break room gossiping that I am responsible for multiple ‘contamination’ events in OR.

This is because since I started (i’m the only one who is new) there has been issues.

I asked the manage who said the first incident was not me but he said he can’t trace who the second one came from right now if he finds out he would let me know.

Since I’m still in training my trays are supposed to be checked but I don’t know for sure if that’s happening.

I am beyond mortified as it could be me? The timing seems like it so I don’t blame my coworkers for thinking that.

Now I am scared of messing up.

I don’t see a lot of posts on here about how common it is for new persons to make these types of mistakes or what happens if we do?

I only had like retail jobs before finding this career.

I took the test after a few months online course and I’m in my first job at a hospital.

I feel like I have no idea what I am doing and keep making silly mistakes and I am so slow.

I'm really struggling right now.

I took my CRCST exam last month and passed, and honestly, the workbook and test material were pretty easy for me.

But now that I’m actually working at a facility, I’m realizing I don’t understand as much as I thought I did, because I’m having a really tough time adjusting to the work itself.

I think part of the issue is that since I started at the hospital with my provisional, they expect me to know how to do everything? Even though I’ve never had any hands-on experience, which they knew when they hired me.

Instead of proper training, they just keep putting me in there and telling me to ask questions if I’m confused (which is like everyday).

That’s led me to bother other workers a lot because I lack confidence.

Yesterday, I overheard two workers in the breakroom saying I barely managed to do five cases in assembly the entire shift, even though I’m certified.

I wonder if I made a mistake getting into this field.

I guess I never realized I’m more academically smart than street smart? if thats a thing or is it normal to struggle even after passing the exam?

I just started working in sterile processing at a hospital, and this was my first week in Prep & Pack, but I’m really struggling with both speed and identifying the instruments.

One issue I keep running into is that a lot of the instruments are blemished or discolored.

I can’t always tell whether I’m looking at normal discoloration, rust, or actual residual soil like blood. My facility told me to use alcohol and a brush to remove anything I see and not send it back to Decon unless it’s “obviously soiled,”. I also thought that if instruments are rusted we pull them but when I bring to the leads they say its fine?

I’m also having trouble with instruments from different brands. The count sheet will sometimes only list the serial number or brand for one version, but the tray contains instruments from other brands with small differences. I’ll think they’re different instruments, and then I’m told they’re considered the same even though they don’t look exactly alike.

Part of the problem is that I’m trying to follow what I learned from the HSPA manual and certification exam, but the facility seems to do things differently and sometimes cut corners.

I know I’m being hard on myself, but I honestly feel like I’m drowning.

It also doesn’t help that this facility doesn’t really have a formal training program. Their approach is that it’s my responsibility to find another employee whenever I’m confused or need help.

The problem is that, because I’m brand-new, I’m confused and need help constantly. I can tell I’m starting to annoy some people, and sometimes there isn’t anyone available to help at all.

Today a lead tech told me I was missing an instrument when I asked for help because I couldnt find it by the picture description and that the one I had was incorrect.

Hours later, another lead told me that same instrument was actually the correct one. So the instrument one person rejected ended up being the instrument I needed after all? I have no idea bro.

Is this kind of confusion, inconsistency, and lack of structured training typical in sterile processing? How long did it take you to feel comfortable in Prep & Pack? Also, how do you handle it when the facility’s practices seem different from what you learned through HSPA?

Do externships usually have very little guidance?

I just started my externship at a hospital to complete my 400 hours, and I feel like I haven’t received much training or instructions. I'm worried I might make a mistake since there doesnt seem to be any structure for my training.

I've been trying to ask for help, but the staff I work with are often busy and not always available, give me a few short words as a response or instruction and then are off on their own thing.

Yes, I went through a college program before (which mainly involved reading the manual from start to finish) but that doesnt mean I know how to do the day to day actions. Dang.

Found a bunch of paper bonds in my grandfathers name from 1954-1970. All of them have these rectangle punched holes on the left does this mean they were already cashed? There is no signature on the bank or otherwise.

https://preview.redd.it/yh8cvj5ardzg1.png?width=635&format=png&auto=webp&s=4aae1de15cf6b2cc79c642995050ff931c84c492