When Thomas Miller first walked through the doors of St. Paul’s Hospital in 1992, he was a recent graduate looking for a stable job with benefits.
A friend introduced him to the Sterile Processing Course at Vancouver Community College (VCC), and Thomas was immediately intrigued. That curiosity led him to a practicum at Providence Health Care—and ultimately, to a career that has spanned over three decades.
Life in MDRD today
Now an Medical Device Reprocessing Department (MDRD) Technician working the evening shift in decontamination, Thomas is one of only two team members still at St. Paul’s from when he first started. “The department has changed,” he reflects, “but we continue to have great staff and many long-term employees who I’ve become good friends with.”
For Thomas, Providence has always felt like a second home. “The employees were so welcoming. It was a great working environment,” he says. That sense of belonging has remained constant, even as the department evolved. “We all form a bond of diversity to get to the same goal of a smooth-running department.”
Why diversity matters in MDRD
Thomas describes his work in one word: DIVERSE. From the backgrounds of his colleagues to the variety of tasks in MDRD, diversity is woven into every aspect of the job. “There are so many different jobs all interconnecting with each other,” he explains. “We’re a team that reflects the world.”
What Thomas does in decontamination
His current role in decontamination involves sorting, disassembling, cleaning, and inspecting surgical instruments from procedures across specialties—orthopedics, vascular, gynecology, urology, and more.
Wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE), Thomas ensures each instrument is safe and ready for reuse, a critical step in patient care. “Doctors, nurses, and supporting staff all over the hospital rely on our services,” he says. “We are the key to almost every patient at St. Paul’s.”
Lessons from COVID
The volume of work in MDRD might surprise some, but Thomas takes pride in the department’s impact. “During COVID, I was humbled by our importance,” he shares. “It reminded me why we do this work—we’re here for all unforeseen circumstances.”
How Thomas manages challenges
Even on challenging days, Thomas finds ways to stay grounded. “I look at a big challenge and divide it into small pieces in my head,” he says. “Every small task is one step closer to completion.” He also keeps active, walking an average of 13,000 steps a day, and finds joy in the camaraderie of his team. “There’s a good sense of humor among our employees.”
Advice for future health care workers
Thomas has seen the medical field evolve from a unique vantage point and continues to be fascinated by healthcare. His advice to those considering a career in the field? “Research the jobs you’re interested in. Ask questions. Volunteer. Be ready to commit.”
Join Providence Health Care
And for those thinking about joining Providence Health Care, Thomas offers a warm welcome: “Come to our site. Make sure the commute is manageable. We train every employee ourselves—not just how to do the job, but how to react to unforeseen problems. If something can be better, we make sure it is.”
Interested in a career in health care? Visit www.providencehealthcare.org/careers to explore our current opportunities.
