From Call Center to the Operating Room: Iyanna Shellmire’s Journey into Sterile Processing
With support from Propel America, Iyanna turned curiosity into a healthcare career—and is already working full time at the hospital where she trained.
When Iyanna Shellmire first discovered sterile processing, it was almost by accident.
Scrolling through TikTok one day, she came across videos of sterile processing technicians showing what they do behind the scenes in hospitals. The work immediately caught her attention. “I started watching vlogs and live videos from sterile techs explaining their job,” Iyanna says. “That’s when I realized this was something I wanted to do.”
Today, Iyanna is doing exactly that—working as a Sterile Processing Technician at North Oaks Medical Center in Louisiana, the same hospital where she completed her clinical training through Propel America.
Searching for a Hands-On Healthcare Career
Before joining Propel America, Iyanna was already working in healthcare—but in a role that felt removed from the action. She worked in the call center at Ochsner Health, helping patients schedule and reschedule appointments while coordinating with nurses and physicians. “I liked being part of the healthcare system,” she says. “But I didn’t see myself staying in a call center forever.”
What she really wanted was a hands-on role inside the hospital—something meaningful but not patient-facing.
Sterile processing turned out to be the perfect fit.
“I wanted to be more involved in the medical field,” Iyanna explains. “This allowed me to do that without being directly patient-facing.”
Discovering Propel America
“At first, I didn’t really know where to start. Propel paved the way. They scheduled the classes, introduced us to the teachers, and made sure we had everything we needed to succeed.”
Iyanna learned about Propel America through a mentor from her church who worked with a nonprofit supporting high school students. “I mentioned that I was interested in sterile tech,” Iyanna says. “She had met some people from Propel who were partnering with the school, and she told me I should check it out.”
After researching the program, Iyanna applied. What stood out to her most was how Propel simplified the process of entering a new career.
“At first, I didn’t really know where to start,” she says. “Propel paved the way. They scheduled the classes, introduced us to the teachers, and made sure we had everything we needed to succeed.”
The program even supplied essential equipment—including a laptop and scrubs—making it easier for Iyanna to focus on her training.
Learning the Skills Behind the Scenes of Surgery
Iyanna began Propel’s Sterile Processing Technician program in August 2025. During the first portion of the program, which ran through October, she completed classroom learning and hands-on practice in Skills Lab. From November through December, she completed clinical training in a hospital setting.
One of the most critical skills she learned was decontamination, a foundational process in sterile processing. “When surgical tools come out of the operating room, they go straight to decontamination,” Iyanna explains. “We clean them thoroughly and make sure there’s no tissue, blood, or anything left on them.” From there, the instruments move through a careful workflow. “After they’re cleaned, they go into a washer,” she says. “Then we bring them to a station called prep and pack where we dry them, inspect them again, and prepare them to be sterilized and sent back for surgery.”
It’s meticulous work—and essential to patient safety. “We touch every instrument in the hospital,” Iyanna says. “If something needs to be cleaned, repaired, or prepared for surgery, sterile processing handles it. It’s like the hive of the hospital.”
From Clinicals to a Full-Time Job
While Iyanna expected to gain technical skills from the program, she was surprised by another benefit: the sense of community.
“I thought I would be doing this by myself,” she says. “But I actually got really close with my peers.” Working together during training and clinicals helped build both friendships and confidence as they learned new skills side by side. The hands-on nature of the program also helped her feel prepared when it was time to step into a real hospital environment.
“Everything we practiced was exactly what I needed to know when I started working,” she says.
After completing the program, Iyanna returned to the hospital where she trained: North Oaks Medical Center. Soon after, a position opened up. “They told me to apply,” she says. Within a few weeks, she interviewed, completed orientation, and started working. Today, she’s already settling into her role.
“I got hired at the same place where I did my clinicals,” she says. “It worked out perfectly.”
A Career That’s Already Paying Off
The career move has also brought financial benefits.
Before Propel, Iyanna earned about $14 an hour working in a healthcare call center. During her training period, she temporarily returned to a previous job as a retail manager, earning around $13.50 an hour.
In her new sterile processing role, she now earns $20 an hour.
“It’s definitely a pay increase,” she says.
For Iyanna, that jump represents more than just a new paycheck—it’s proof that the hard work she invested in training paid off.
Iyanna plans to continue building her experience in sterile processing and growing within the healthcare field.
She hopes to work in the role for at least a year while developing her skills. In the future, she’s considering becoming a traveling sterile processing technician, which would allow her to work in hospitals across the country.
She’s also interested in potentially pursuing sonography while continuing to work in healthcare.
“The hospital supports people who want to grow,” she says. “So I’m excited to see where this path can lead.”
“Trying to do it on your own can be challenging. Propel gave me a laptop, scrubs, and a coach, Brittany, who checked in to make sure everything was going well. She always sounded so happy when she called. Even if I was having a stressful moment, she would make me smile. In today’s world, balancing work, school, and life can be tough. Having someone in your corner makes it a lot easier.”
Advice for Future Propel Fellows
For anyone considering Propel America, Iyanna says the program’s support system makes a huge difference.
“Trying to do it on your own can be challenging,” she says. “Propel gave me a laptop, scrubs, and a coach who checked in to make sure everything was going well.”
Her coach, Brittany, played a key role in keeping her motivated.
“She always sounded so happy when she called,” Iyanna says. “Even if I was having a stressful moment, she would make me smile.”
For Iyanna, that support helped make the journey into a new career possible.
“In today’s world, balancing work, school, and life can be tough,” she says. “Having someone in your corner makes it a lot easier.”
And thanks to that support, she’s now part of the team that keeps surgical care running safely behind the scenes—one instrument at a time.
Interested in launching A healthcare career like iyanna’s?
Learn more about Propel America’s training programs and how you can become a Fellow.
Apply today and start building the future you deserve.
Start your journey toward becoming a Sterile Processing Technician and building a career you can be proud of.
