Jesus, second from right, at the UCSD Health and JVS Sterile Processing Technician program graduation.
Jesus started his career at UC San Diego Health in Environmental Services, cleaning and turning over operating rooms between surgeries. Although he worked long, physically strenuous hours, Jesus found purpose in keeping hospital spaces safe and ready for patients. He didn’t yet realize that this job would be the first step toward an entirely new career in healthcare.
“When I worked in some of the outside clinics, sometimes I’d cover the sterile processing area overnight,” Jesus recalls. “The staff were always friendly, and they’d show me what it was like to work in SPD [Sterile Processing Department]. I knew that one day I wanted to be part of that team.”
That opportunity came when Jesus received an email about the JVS Sterile Processing Technician Training Program, offered in partnership with UC San Diego Health. The program prepares participants for vital roles ensuring that surgical instruments are cleaned, sterilized and ready to use—a behind-the-scenes role that keeps hospitals running safely and efficiently.
“I had looked for programs before, but I couldn’t find the right one,” he says. “Then this came up, and I thought—maybe it’s meant to be.” He joined the fall 2024 cohort, trained intensively, and by December, was hired full-time as a Sterile Processing Technician.
Today, the difference in his life is tangible. “Before, I worked 12- or 14-hour shifts, sometimes six days a week,” he says. “Now I work a steady 40-hour week. The pay and benefits are good, and I have time to rest. My family’s noticed the difference, too.”
Jesus now encourages others to follow in his footsteps. “If the opportunity comes up, take it,” he says. “Go visit the SPD department, talk to the staff, see what it’s like. It’s a great career path, and in the long run, it’s worth it.”
Looking ahead, Jesus hopes to continue advancing his skills and mentoring new students in the program. “I remember being in their shoes, full of questions,” he says. “I want to be someone they can come to for help, just like others helped me.”
