A recipe for success: Growing from dietary aide to director of operations at Northwell Health.

Northwell’s sterile processing technicians ensure the critical instruments our physicians rely on are decontaminated and sterilized before every procedure. At America’s largest sterile processing center in Bethpage, NY, our Northwell technicians provide round-the-clock support using innovative technology.  Read on to learn more about Justin’s career journey to become director of operations of sterile processing at Northwell’s Central Sterile Processing Center.

Justin Schmidt joined Northwell in 2012 as a dietary aide working in the kitchen at Plainview Hospital. That’s when a colleague introduced him to the nearby sterile processing area during a brief lunch conversation. Curious to learn more, Justin connected with team members within the sterile processing department, and discovered an interest for the field. While working as a dietary aide at Plainview Hospital, he earned his sterile processing certification. After completing the required hands-on experience through volunteering opportunities at Northwell, in 2018 he moved into his new role as a sterile processing technician at Northwell’s South Shore University Hospital. In this role, he was responsible for decontaminating and sterilizing inventory and equipment to ensure they were safe for use before returning them to their departments.

Justin continued to develop at Northwell. “The opportunities, stability and meaningful work that this organization provides makes Northwell such a great place to grow any career,” he said.  In 2020, he became supervisor, at Central Sterile, where he managed the staff’s daily operations to ensure adherence to proper sterilization procedures.  In 2022, he advanced to manager of operations, where he oversaw the sterile processing team members, managed the operational budget, and guided his team toward the department’s objectives.  Two years later, he was promoted to senior manager of operations, which allowed him to build on his leadership skills and gain experience managing a larger team. 

Today, as the director of operations of sterile processing at Central Sterile, Justin oversees the decontamination, inspection, packaging and distribution of surgical instrumentation and equipment to multiple Northwell sites, including five hospitals and two ambulatory centers. Justin said, “What I love most about my job now is leading a passionate team who shows up ready to support our operating rooms, surgeons and most importantly, our patients.”

“My growth at Northwell has been supported every step of the way— from my leaders who mentored me and encouraged me to build my leadership skills to the colleagues I get to work with every day,” shared Justin. 

Grow your career as a sterile processing technician at Northwell today.