To help lower healthcare costs for patients, Sutter Health expects employees to use resources wisely. What are some ways that you use resources efficiently and wisely to help reduce costs for your organization and patients?

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With the need for patients to reduce their healthcare costs coupled with organizations working under tight budgets, the need to work efficiently with resources on the job is of utmost importance at Sutter Health. Your interviewer will be looking to get the sense that you have fiscal responsibility in mind when using your time and company resources. Give a specific example of how you are smart with equipment, supplies, or your time to express this.

The interviewer wants to see that you are creative with your resources and conscientious of how expensive healthcare can be. Describe specific ways you help the company and your patients to save money.

"I take pride in the fact that I reduce waste and the use of unnecessary supplies when I am on the job. As a sterile processing technician, I pay close attention to supplies that often get wasted in the OR setting. I utilize our nursing, surgical tech, and physician teams to ensure that operating trays include only the necessary supplies for a given procedure. Seeing wasted supplies thrown in the garbage heavily impacts my organization's bottom line, and I do my best to curb this."

"In my current position, time is money, and I ensure I utilize my time wisely and efficiently. I'm not the person to sit around twiddling my thumbs to collect a paycheck, so any downtime I have is spent cleaning, organizing, or helping others out on their job."

Anonymous Answer

"I think that is incredibly important to be conscious of all the materials you need so that you are not costing patients more than they need to pay. One of the easiest ways to do this is make a list of supplies that you need for each procedure that you complete with a patient so that you are sure that you are not grabbing unnecessary items. I think also knowing all the resources in the hospital that you can teach patients about and their family members will help with making sure cost has not risen."

Lauren's Feedback

Great response. You are demonstrating conscientiousness and organization to work effectively and efficiently. I assisted with grammatical edits, as well as minor supplemental language to deepen you response.

"Being mindful, conscientious, and organized are three core values and ethics I uphold in the workplace. It is extremely important to be aware of the amount of materials you are using for each patient. The easiest way I stay organized and conscientious, is to make a list of supplies needed for each procedure to reduce grabbing items unnecessarily. I also become a resource for each patient and inform them of in-house prevention resources that could be helpful to serve patients best."

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Anonymous Answer

"In my current position, time is not wasted, and I utilize my time on the clock to its utmost potential. If I see something that needs to be cleaned, sanitized, or organized, I will do it. Also, if my team members need an extra hand, I will come forth and help them. I am not the one to sit around and chat all day when I can be utilizing my time learning under the clock. Also, making sure I do something right the first time, for example, EKG leads, needles, and urinalysis tests. That way, I don't waste products."