Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Certificate

Build the specialized skills needed to safely clean, inspect, assemble, sterilize and distribute medical devices. Combine online theory, practical training and a 400-hour supervised practicum to prepare for a career as a Medical Device Reprocessing Technician.

Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate Certificates are short programs focused on specific skills or subjects. They are a fast and flexible way to start a new career, upgrade your qualifications or gain professional recognition.

Delivery mode

On-campus All classes take place in-person at one of our campuses. or Online (synchronous) Online (synchronous)

Time commitment

Full-time You take a regular course load and move through the program at the standard pace. Expect to study most weekdays.

Duration

7 months 814 hours

Program codes

  • Code: ZMEDR

Cost

Domestic students $5,991 estimated first-year cost Domestic students Estimated first-year cost Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $5,991 Estimated total program cost Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $5,991

Location

  • Distance Full program offered in Distance
  • Kelowna Partial program offered in Kelowna

Available for

  • Domestic students

Program features

TBD

Program overview

About the program

Learn the necessary skills and procedures to proficiently reprocess medical devices. This course covers elements of decontamination, preparation, assembly, sterilization, storage and distribution of instruments and medical devices.

What you'll learn

  • Apply medical device reprocessing procedures and standards
  • Decontaminate and clean medical devices and surgical instruments
  • Inspect instruments for cleanliness, function and condition
  • Assemble and package surgical instruments
  • Apply sterilization techniques and procedures
  • Safely store and distribute processed medical devices
  • Handle more than 100 basic surgical instruments
  • Apply infection prevention and control principles
  • Follow quality assurance procedures
  • Communicate effectively in a health care workplace
Skills you'll learn
  • Medical device decontamination
  • Cleaning and inspection
  • Surgical instrument handling
  • Instrument assembly
  • Packaging and sterilization
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Medical terminology
  • Microbiology
  • Quality assurance
  • Inventory and distribution
  • Workplace communication
  • Safe handling procedures
Tools you'll learn
  • Surgical instruments
  • Medical devices
  • Cleaning and decontamination equipment
  • Sterilization equipment
  • Instrument packaging systems
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Medical device tracking systems
  • Quality assurance tools

Work-integrated learning

400-hour supervised practicum

Complete approximately 10 weeks of supervised practical training at an accredited health care facility. Practicum placements are arranged by Okanagan College and may be available through Interior Health regions including Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Trail and Kamloops. Students must be prepared to travel or relocate for their placement.

  • The booklist can be searched from the bookstore website. Search the term you are entering and choose the Kelowna campus. There are three required textbooks and are approximately $400 for all.
  • You will need a computer or laptop with a camera, microphone and speakers.   
  • Students are placed in Interior Health Authority (IHA) Regions (Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Trail, Kamloops).  If you want a placement outside of these hospitals, please contact the Program Coordinator first.  NOTE: The hospital must be big enough to meet practicum competencies and must be willing to provide you with a training preceptor(s) and supervisor in the department.
  • Okanagan College cannot place students in any of the following Health Authorities: Vancouver Island Health, Vancouver Coastal Health or Fraser Health.
  • After you start your program, we reach out to find out where you would like to attend a practicum.  We do our best to place students close to home, but that is not always possible as hospital sites can only take so many students at a time.  Therefore, students must be prepared to move for the 400 hours (approximately 10 weeks).

The 814-hour Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Certificate provides students with the knowledge and practical skills required for a career as a Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (MDRT).
The program includes theory, demonstrations, practical skill training in the classroom, and a 400-hour supervised practicum at accredited facilities. Topics include: decontamination, cleaning, processing, assembly, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and medical devices within a quality assurance framework. Students will learn and demonstrate the handling and packaging of over 100 basic surgical instruments.
Graduates of the Okanagan College Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Certificate are qualified to write the Canadian Standards Association Certified Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Personnel certification exam as well as an international certifying agency exam, the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material management (IAHCSMM).
Practicum Experiences:

Practicum experiences are an integral component of this program. Locations are throughout the province. Okanagan College will assign the placement. While every effort will be made to accommodate a student's preference for locations of practicum experiences, Okanagan College reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of any placement. All agencies and institutions serving as practicum sites must be approved by Okanagan College. Okanagan College reserves the right to change a student's practicum placement. The student has the right to be informed in writing of the reasons for a change in placement.
Practicum host sites may require students to work all shifts and therefore, students must plan to make the necessary time adjustments with daycare, part-time employment or other commitments.
Students must arrange for their own transportation to and from practicum sites. Travel and accommodation expenses associated with practicum experiences are entirely the student's responsibility. Attendance at practicum sites is mandatory.
A student may be denied a practicum if their preparatory work is deemed unsatisfactory or if their participation in a practicum puts the receiving agency or its clients at unreasonable risk. A student may be required to withdraw from a practicum on the basis of poor performance or poor attendance in a practicum setting, or if the state of her/his health impairs ability to perform competently or poses a potential risk to the practicum host or its clients.
A student may be suspended from a practicum site if her/his behaviour contravenes that of the established code of conduct for the site or if her/his behaviour is deemed to compromise the normal functioning of the practicum site.

Tuition and fees

Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm

Fee Year 1 Term
Tuition $5,695
College anciliary fees $92
Student association fees $0
Health & dental $0
Materials/other $0
Estimated total $5,991
Total estimated program cost: $5,991
  • Domestic students
    Estimated first-year cost
    Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $5,991
    Estimated total program cost
    Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $5,991
  • Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.

  • Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards

  • All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.

  • Detailed domestic tuition and fees information

Admission and program requirements

  • B.C. Secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.
  • English 12 with a minimum of 60% or alternatives.
  • Applicants must have an absence of health problems that affect their ability to lift, stand for long periods or perform repetitive movements. Applicants should also have the absence of allergies to substances on the skin and be able to wear gloves and other PPE for extended periods. A self-declaration form will be provided.

  • Applicants must provide proof that they meet current immunization/vaccination schedules as per health care organization policies/guidelines or have a signed vaccination exemption form (except TB). Details will be provided.
    Applicants are advised that if they are unable to provide proof of immunization or immunity, they may be restricted or even excluded from practice settings based on the Health Facility or Health Authority policies and procedures for non-immunized students.

  • Negative TB skin test or chest x-ray no more than 6 months before the start of the program or adequate follow-up in the case of a positive test.
  • A criminal record check clearance from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Office. Okanagan College's Admissions will provide applicants with instructions to submit the request to the Solicitor General's Office and a deadline for the College to receive the clearance letter. Applicants should only initiate their criminal record check when instructed by Admissions. Failure to provide a clearance letter by the deadline may result in a cancellation of the applicant's admission application.

A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed through OC.

  • The theory portion of this program will be entirely online. Some classes will be self-paced, but most will be instructor led with mandatory attendance.
  • Courses run Monday to Thursday with some scheduled Friday's.
  • Classes run from 9 am – 3 pm.
  • This course is full-time.
  • Practicum (approximately 10 weeks) will be held at an Interior Health hospital site.

Start date
Location
Delivery mode
Application status
Oct. 2027
Kelowna
On-campus
Open
May. 2028
Kelowna
Online (synchronous)
Upcoming
Note: Note: Full-time M-Thurs 9 am - 4 pm Online synchronous lectures

Program details

Complete All of the following:
MEDR 110 - Anatomy and Physiology
MEDR 111 - Human Workplace Relations
MEDR 112 - Introduction to Medical Terminology
MEDR 113 - Microbiology and Infection Control Concepts
MEDR 114 - Decontamination Procedures and Recommended Practices
MEDR 115 - Packaging Instruments and Patient Care Equipment
MEDR 116 - Sterilization Concepts and Techniques
MEDR 117 - Quality Assurance and Introduction to Surgical Instrumentation
MEDR 118 - MEDR Workshop
MEDR 119 - Practicum

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