School of Nursing

Medical Device Reprocessing Technician

Certificate of Achievement

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. 

Potential Careers

Sample Job TitleNOC Classification1Earning Potential2
Medical Device Reprocessing TechnicianOther Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services (3414)$27,100 - $48,100

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s): August, October and January

For additional information, contact the program at 306-775-7575 or mdr.regina@saskpolytech.ca.

Length: 24 weeks

Locations

  • Online/Distance options available

    • Some programs offered online or otherwise by distance (i.e., correspondence) include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. They may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

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. At the discretion of the work integrated learning site, you may be denied access based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check. The cost of the Criminal Record Check 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.
  • 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.

Alternative Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.



ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

Not applicable at this time

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

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 approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

 

2022/23 Academic Year

$2,310

This program is not eligible for the Canada-Saskatchewan student loan program.

Courses

Expand All +
Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
MED 100
Foundations of Medical Device Reprocessing
3
Show course details
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
3
Show course details
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
3
Show course details
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
3
Show course details
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
Total semester credits: 12

After you complete your Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Applied Certificate, some employers require a practicum.

Please consult your local health authority to confirm their practicum requirements. Some examples of practicum length and cost are outlined below:

Saskatoon, SK 

240 hours (approx. 6 weeks) 

Alberta Health, AB* 

500 hours (approx. 12 weeks)

Covenant Health, AB* 

400 hours (approx. 10 weeks)

PEI 

400 hours (approx. 10 weeks) 

The tuition cost for the practicum is $585.

To determine if you require a practicum, contact your prospective employer.  Please email nursingconed@saskpolytech.ca for questions about PRAC 1603 and PRAC 1604.

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 link(s) below to get more information 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. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

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