Interview prep
Sterile Processing Technician Interview Questions & Answers
10 questions employers ask sterile processing technicians, and what a strong answer looks like.
Expect questions about technical knowledge (such as decontamination procedures), safety and how you work with people. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and practice out loud. Below are 10 common questions with guidance on strong answers.
Sterile Processing Technician-specific questions
1. Why does cleaning matter so much in sterile processing?
Explain that soil prevents sterilization from working.
2. What would you do if you found a damaged instrument?
Remove it, tag it for repair and replace it per policy.
3. How do you handle pressure from the OR for a rush tray?
Show you won’t skip steps and communicate realistic times.
4. What is a biological indicator?
Describe spore tests and why they matter.
5. How do you stay accurate on repetitive tasks?
Mention checklists, count sheets and double-checks.
General and behavioral questions
6. Why do you want to be a sterile processing technician?
Connect a real motivation to the work itself. Mention what drew you to sterile processing technicians’ day-to-day tasks (for example, collect and decontaminate used instruments and devices) and show you understand the challenges as well as the rewards.
7. Tell me about yourself.
Give a 60–90 second summary: your background, the training or experience that prepared you for this role, and why this employer. Keep it relevant to sterile processing technician work.
8. Describe a time you made a mistake. What did you do?
Pick a real, low-stakes example. Explain how you owned it, fixed it and changed your process. Employers want honesty and learning, not perfection.
9. How do you handle stress or a heavy workload?
Describe a specific system: prioritizing safety-critical work first, communicating early when you are behind, and staying organized. A short example from school or work makes it credible.
10. What questions do you have for us?
Always ask two or three: what training looks like for new hires, how success is measured in the first 90 days, and what the team likes most about working there.
Speak the language
Hiring managers notice when candidates use the right terms naturally. Review these before your interview: Decontamination, Bioburden, Sterilization, Autoclave, IFU, Biological indicator (BI), Chemical indicator, Bowie-Dick test. See the full glossary.
Interview checklist
- Research the employer and the specific role
- Bring copies of your resume and any certifications (Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) if you have it)
- Prepare three STAR stories: teamwork, a problem you solved and a time you stayed calm under pressure
- Dress one step more formal than the job’s daily attire
- Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours
More tips: job interview guide · resume guide.