Medical Device Reprocessing Technician

Program Details

 This program is eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant.

Program description

As a five-month fast-paced program offered full-time, the Medical Device Reprocessing Technician program provides entry-level training for the critical role of cleaning, packaging, sterilizing, storing and handling of sterile supplies and instruments, with a focus on infection prevention and control and aseptic techniques. It includes a practicum, arranged by SAIT, at an accredited clinical facility. This type of employment requires flexibility (shift work), manual dexterity and good health.

The Medical Device Reprocessing Technician program is 21 weeks in length and includes classroom instruction with integrated practical learning experiences. This is followed by 400 hours of practicum, of which eight weeks take place at a clinical site.

Your Career

Graduates find work as medical device reprocessing technicians, sterile processors, service aides, and in related positions in health care medical device reprocessing departments, operating rooms, doctor’s offices, dental clinics, surgical centers, and specialty areas at acute care, community care and extended care facilities. Graduates are often hired into casual positions initially which usually progress to full-time positions within one year of hire. In order to find employment, many graduates must relocate across Alberta and potentially even throughout Canada.

• Graduates of the Medical Device Reprocessing Technician program have a 84% employment rate.

Student success

In order to be successful in this program, applicants must have basic computer literacy including the ability to use word processing and communication software. Educational interaction in this program depends on these basic computer skills, and medical device reprocessing technicians work with hospital information systems. It is the student's responsibility to ensure adequacy of these skills prior to program admission.

• Students with higher secondary or post-secondary marks usually experience greater success in SAIT programs.
• Students who experience success in this program and career:
  • Have effective communication skills in English
  • Are detail-oriented in the care they provide and enjoy working in a team environment
  • Must be able to lift up to 18 kg/40 pounds and push/pull 114 kg/250 pounds on an ongoing basis
  • Demonstrate good motor coordination and manual dexterity and are able to perform repetitive tasks in a noisy, stressful environment
  • Able to stand or walk for long periods of time with repeated bending at the knees and waist
  • Have no sensitivities to latex, disinfection and sterilization chemicals or to the sight of blood and human tissue.

Credentials and accreditation

After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Medical Device Reprocessing Technician certificate.

The program arranges for graduates to challenge the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) certification exam for international recognition of their competencies as a Central Service Technician (CRCST). This allows international portability.

SAIT’s Medical Device Reprocessing Technician program is also recognized by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and graduates are eligible to challenge the CSA Canadian certification exam to become a certified Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (CMDRT).

Certification from either IAHCSMM or CSA is required to practice as a MDRT in Alberta.  Please Note: Your MDRT certificate and a high school diploma are required to challenge the CSA certification exam.

Transfer options

The opportunity to advance your education through transferring to, within or from SAIT is available. Visit transfer options to learn more.

Admission Requirements

Admission and selection

• Fall 2020 start: Applications are accepted Oct. 2, 2019 to Aug. 15, 2020.
• Winter 2021 start: Applications open March 30, 2020. 
• This program does not accept international students effective Fall 2020 intake. There are many program options for international applicants –  find out more.

Admission requirements

Completion of the following courses or their equivalents:

• At least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2
  
• At least 50% in Science 20 or Biology 20 or Chemistry 20, or at least 60% in Science 24
• All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.

SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada. 

Direct entry: four-step process

Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.

Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.

Step 3: Apply to Business Administration and submit your transcripts and or final anticipated grades.

• Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.

Step 4: Continue to monitor changes to your application status through mySAIT.ca.

Communication during selection

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications.

We recommend you add clinical.supportservices@sait.ca and the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages. Please check your junk mail or trash folders for communication from SAIT. The program does not follow-up on selection packages which are not returned.

Practicum requirements

The eight weeks of practicum are not necessarily consecutive and may not be continuous with the end of the theory portion of the program (for example, there may be a gap between finishing the theory and starting the practicum). The School of Health and Public Safety has many practica partners located in Alberta and across Canada. Practicum placements in Calgary are limited and students may be required to relocate outside of Calgary for practicum.

Successful candidates will be informed of the allocation of their practicum placement by the program. There is no guarantee that students will be placed at their desired practicum location. Special considerations of personal circumstances will not be given in regards to assigning practicum placements. Students will be responsible for fees associated with practica such as entrance requirements, relocation and travel costs. 

In compliance with the practica agreements with our clinical partners, successful candidates will be requested to provide proof of the following requirements:

• Updated immunization records
• Security clearance - Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check
• Health and wellness status

Learn more

Courses

Program outline

• View additional Medical Device Reprocessing Technician program information including course-specific descriptions and requisites.

This program is a 21-week certificate offered over the fall/winter semesters or winter/spring semesters.

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Costs

Domestic Tuition and Fees*

International Tuition and Fees*

SAIT Fees

Campus athletic and recreation Fee: $171.20
Universal transit pass (UPass): $310 - Check eligibility here.
Student support fee: $100
Student technology fee: $100

Health and Dental Fees

Domestic Students 

• Health Plan: $122
• Dental Plan: $130
• For students with existing health and/or dental plans, please refer to the Saitsa website for information on opting out.

International Students 

• Health and Dental Plan: $460
• For more information on Health and Dental Benefits for International students please contact the International Centre.

Books and supplies*

• Books and supplies are approximately $400.
• Students are responsible for any additional expenses related to their practica (i.e. relocation costs if placed outside ofCalgary, food, housing, transportation, etc.).
• The IAHCSMM certification exam fee is approximately $125 and the CSA certification exam fee is approximately $263. Students are responsible for paying these exam fees.
• There is a fee associated with obtaining a Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check, payable to the Police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
• Students must have their immunizations reviewed by the SAIT Health Clinic. There is a $75 charge to review vaccine and medical history. Any vaccines to be administered will result in additional charges.

Find out about tuition and financial aid.

* Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.

Next steps for incoming students

Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.

Important dates and deadlines

Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.

Important Dates

Fall 2020

Delivery 

This program will be delivered in a blended format for the Fall 2020 term due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated health and safety guidelines. The majority of courses will take place online, with certain labs and hands-on learning scheduled on campus.

How to register for classes

You'll follow a fixed block registration process to enrol in your classes. Learn how to register on our registration and schedules page.

Computers and laptops

This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page. 

Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

The industry-approved PPE you'll need will be discussed during your first few days of classes. 

Other requirements

• Police Information Clearance with Vulnerable Sector Check
• Immunization record
• Health and Wellness Status
• Students may be required to hold either the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM), or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certification for the purpose of gaining employment.

Preparation courses

To support your success, SAIT offers some short courses before classes start, including PREP 100: The SAIT Experience, ETHI 110: SAIT Ethical Practices and SAFE 165: Safety at SAIT.

Required textbooks

The Fall 2020 booklist will be available about two weeks before classes start. We recommend you wait to buy your books until your first few days of classes and speak with your instructors.

Contact 

Phone: 403.210.5679
Email:kimberly.wheelans@sait.ca

Academic chair

Kimberly Wheelans, Academic Chair