Medical Device Reprocessing Technician

Program Overview

Medical device reprocessing technicians operate and maintain a variety of sterilization equipment such as instrument washers, sonic sinks, cart washers and steam autoclaves to clean and disinfect surgical instrumentation and equipment for reuse according to standardized safety practices. They reassemble equipment and prepare packs of sterile supplies and instruments for delivery to hospital departments.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Medical Device Reprocessing Technician is a 24-week certificate of achievement program offered through distance education. The program will prepare you to apply principles of infection prevention and proper handling in the decontamination, inspection, assembly, sterilization and storage of reusable patient care equipment and instrumentation in health-care settings.

Work Experience

You will participate in four one-day work experiences, each designed to integrate your course learning with a practical experience in a medical device reprocessing department. Under the supervision of a staff member you will observe and work in the different areas of a medical device reprocessing department. You will collaborate with your instructor to arrange work experiences in a site of your preference.

To graduate and receive a credential for this program, part-time students must apply to the program and be admitted before taking any program courses.

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Medical Device Reprocessing Technician program graduates are in high demand. You could have a variety of opportunities in health-care facilities, such as hospital medical device reprocessing departments, veterinary clinics, public and private endoscopic clinics, dental clinics and private surgical centres.

For more information about career opportunities related to this program, visit the Health Careers website.

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s): August, October and January
For additional information, contact the program at mdr.regina@saskpolytech.ca.
Length: 24 weeks

Locations

Online

Some online programs include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. Online programs may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Grade 12
English Language Requirement

Note:

Prior to the start date of the program, accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of the following:

Current immunization records, and meet Saskatchewan Polytechnic immunization requirements prior to engaging in work integrated learning experiences
Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. At the discretion of the work integrated learning site, you may be denied access based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is your responsibility.
Transfer Lifting Repositioning (TLR®) © Object Moving training certification is mandatory for Saskatchewan applicants. Out of province applicants must meet the placement requirements of their province or jurisdiction. The cost of this certification is your responsibility.
Effective July 1, 2019: Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility.

Special Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through a special admission assessment. Interested individuals should still apply. Applicants are automatically considered for special admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met. Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Special Admission.

ACCUPLACER©

Not applicable at this time

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and Fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as books and supplies. For a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program, click here to access the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus Tuition and Fee Schedules.

$2,300

Courses

Expand All +

Code

Name/Description

Credits

MED 100

Foundations of Medical Device Reprocessing

You will study the functioning of the medical device reprocessing (MDR) department and examine the roles and responsibilities of the medical device reprocessing technician (MDRT). You will study medical terminology, major body systems, microbiology, infection prevention and control, safety, and required Canadian Standards as they relate to MDR. You will observe the fundamentals and components of MDR in a work integrated learning experience in the MDR department.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Equivalent Course(s): MED 100CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning

MED 101

Decontamination: Cleaning and Disinfection

You will study the decontamination process in a medical device reprocessing (MDR) department. You will learn cleaning and disinfecting processes and the equipment used to decontaminate medical devices. You will learn the process of decontaminating surgical instruments, patient care equipment, and rigid and flexible endoscopy equipment. You will study policies and procedures related to the decontamination area. You will apply your knowledge during a work integrated learning experience in the MDR department.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): MED 100
Equivalent Course(s): MED 101CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning

MED 102

Preparation and Packaging

You will study the inspection, sorting, assembling, and packaging of medical devices. You will study the classifications of surgical instruments and their preparation for sterilization. You will discuss wrapping, packaging, container systems, and sterility indicators. You will practice inspection, assembly and packaging of instruments during a work integrated learning experience in the medical device reprocessing department.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): MED 101
Equivalent Course(s): MED 102CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning

MED 103

Sterilization, Storage and Distribution

You will study the principles and methods of sterilization. You will study the monitoring criteria of sterilization and discuss the storage, and distribution of sterile supplies. You will review single use medical devices and loaner instruments. You will demonstrate sterilization, storage, and distribution during a work integrated learning experience in the medical device reprocessing department.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): MED 102
Equivalent Course(s): MED 103CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning

Get Credit for What You Know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training. See links below to more information about PLAR and detailed PLAR candidate guides for courses in this program.

Candidate Guide
Candidate Guide for Math and Science courses
- (e.g., APHY, CALC, CHEM, MAT, MATH, PHYS, STAT, etc.)
Candidate Guide for Communication and Social Science courses
- (e.g., COM, COMM, ENGL, PSYC, SOCI, etc.)
More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Student Awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. You don't have to be a brainiac to receive a student award. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Related Programs

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Part-Time Delivery

To graduate and receive a credential for this program, part-time students must apply to the program and be admitted before taking any program courses.

View the program page for a complete list of courses and additional information.

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