Medical Device Reprocessing

Program Description

A Medical Device Reprocessing (MDR) Technician is a medical professional who cleans, disinfects, sterilizes, prepares, and distributes instruments/equipment including endoscopes in a hospital or medical lab.

The MDR program will expose students to reprocessing fundamentals including: sterile concepts; decontamination procedures; instrumentation identification, care and handling; microbiology/infection control; sterile storage/inventory; and assembly, wrapping and packaging.

Source: Best Acccredited Colleges – Sterile Supply Technician

Please note that due to the nature of this career, employees are required to tolerate regular physical activity during the course of their work day. If you have any medical concerns, please contact your admissions officer to ensure you are aware of the requirements of the occupation and to determine if you are eligible for accommodations in this program.

Program Courses

• Assembly, Wrapping, and Packaging
• Basic Anatomy and Related Terminology
• Customer Service Excellence
• Decontamination Principles and Procedures
• Flexible Endoscope and Probe Reprocessing
• Human Relations and Ethical Issues
• Identification, Care and Handling of Instrumentation
• Introduction to Computers
• Introduction to Medical Device Reprocessing
• Job Search Skills
• Microbiology and Infection
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Professionalism in Health Care
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control
• Soft Tissue Injury: Back Injury Prevention
• Standard First Aid
• Sterile Concepts
• Sterile Storage, Inventory, and Management
• Student Success
• WHMIS

Employment Opportunities

According to Outlook 2020, “assisting occupations in support of health services” is one of groups facing the strongest pressures for recruitment over the 2011 to 2020 period. Employment opportunities to work as a Medical Device Reprocessing technician include hospitals, private clinics and depending on hiring practices in dental and veterinary clinics.

“We are currently faced with a shortage of qualified Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians (MDRT’S) for various reasons, including but not all inclusive to an aging workforce, and an increased need for skilled educated workers with the technical details to follow manufacturer’s instructions required for reprocessing. As reprocessing equipment continues to be more complex along with stricter standards and quality system requirements, the employees responsible for reprocessing must be educated at a higher level. Ongoing competencies and auditing are mandatory to ensure patient safety. Accreditation Canada & Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has developed standalone standards specific to MDR. We expect the need for qualified MDRTs provincially and nationally to continue to increase.”

Source: Merlee Steele-Rodway, RN, CERT, Past President – Canadian Association for Medical Device Reprocessing (CAMDR) & Past Regional Director – MDR – Eastern Health, Consultant – Medical Device Reprocessing and Infection Prevention and Control

Employment Considerations

Delicate work that requires attention to detail & concentration. Occasional lifting or carrying items of up to 30 lbs. physical light-medium. Significant amount of walking & long periods of standing, requires use of light whole body push – pull force, bending, repetitive arm, hand & shoulder movements. Exposure to blood & body fluids/tissue – Personal protective apparel required to be worn in certain areas of MDR.

Regional Health Authorities in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador will require up-to-date immunization records and Certificate of Conduct and Vulnerable Sector Check for employment.