Medical Device Reprocessing Technician

22-week full-time certificate program

Program length: 22 weeks

Credential: Certificate

Location: Online theory. Practicums held in Victoria and Nanaimo.

Play a critical role in health care and work as a member of a surgical team in a fast-paced environment. This non-credit program will provide you with the knowledge and appropriate training to sterilize and reprocess surgical and patient care equipment to become a highly in-demand Medical Device Reprocessing Technician. You will gain theory and application of principles related to decontamination, sterilization, storage and distribution of equipment in a medical device reprocessing area. As a graduate, you will be prepared to work in a variety of settings from acute care hospitals to veterinary clinics. 

The Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Certificate Program prepares graduates for a number of different job titles, including:

•        Central Processing Assistant
•        Central Supply Department Technician
•        Medical Device Reprocessing Technician

See this short video from Island Health on what it is like to work as a Medical Device Reprocessing Technician.

Program content

Medical Device Reprocessing Technician: Theory (140 hours)

Gain theoretical knowledge required to work as entry-level Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians (MDRTs).  This course is taught online.

Medical Device Reprocessing Technician: Clinical Skills Basics (56 hours)

Practice valuable clinical skills in a classroom setting at hospitals in Nanaimo and Victoria.

Medical Device Reprocessing Technician: Clinical/Practicum (344 hours)

Integrate your knowledge and skills in a real MDR setting at an Island Health hospital in Nanaimo and Victoria.  

Course delivery

This program is offered on a full-time basis over 22 weeks.  The theory course is delivered online, and the clinical skills and practicum components are held in hospital sites in Nanaimo and Victoria. Students from the Victoria region are encouraged to apply. All students must have access to a desktop or laptop computer with a working camera, audio and internet service in order to complete this program.

Practicum placements are hosted at Victoria General Hospital, Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria and the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.  Students are responsible for securing accommodation and transportation to support their practicum experience.

Flexibility is required, particularly during the clinical/practicum as shifts can be scheduled from 0700 to 1900. 

Admission requirements

The following requirements must be met for entry to the program:

• Grade 12 graduation
• Grade 12 English with a grade of "C" or better, or acceptable equivalent.
  • If you do not meet the English prerequisite, please contact Student Assessment and Exam Invigilation Services, located at Nanaimo, Cowichan and Powell River, to arrange your assessment.
• Successful completion of Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology (OSME 002), or equivalent course, within 2 years prior to MDRT program start date. Must have achieved a minimum grade of 75%.
  • note that if you have taken a Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology course more than 2 years ago, you can take an Assessment. Proof of successful completion of the assessment will be considered equivalent to OSME 002.
• Successful completion of Interpersonal and Employment Skills for Health Care Workers (HHIP 001), or equivalent course, within 2 years prior to MDRT program start date.

• Indigenous students can apply for reserved seats by submitting Access Initiative for Indigenous Students.
• You may apply to the program before completing OSME 002 and HHIP 001 pre-requisites, and are encouraged to do so.

Other program requirements

Proof of successful completion of the following is required in order to participate in the practicum. Once you have been accepted to the program, it is strongly recommended that you have these required documents completed before the program start date. Please email this documentation to PDT.HHS@viu.ca on the first day of class. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they have the correct credentials and meet all of these requirements prior to the deadlines outlined in their offer letters. 

• Criminal Record Check
  • a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks (CRC) are requested through VIU. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact you by mail regarding the requirements for the CRC. CRCs are processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check competed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act.
• Immunization Requirements Form - Please note that some immunizations are given in a series and may take several months to complete.

• HSPnet Student Consent Form
• Island Health Confidentiality Acknowledgement Form

Students should also have the following:

• Absence of health problems that may affect ability to lift, stand for long periods, or perform repetitive movements
• Absence of allergies to substances on the skin
• Familiarity with computers and access to the Internet to participate in the online learning
• Please review the Personal Suitability Checklist

Important dates*

*Dates are subject to change

**If pre-requisites are in-progress, conditional acceptance may be granted as long as courses/assessments are completed before program start. 

Program fees (2025)

• Tuition: approximately $10,187.59 (pending Senate approval)
• Application Fee:  Approximately $46.06
• Student Union: $108.12 (approx.)
• Health and Dental Plan: $285 per year - VIUSU Health and Dental: The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer. Please see the VIUSU website for details on their health and dental plan. Students may opt out of the plan if they have other extended coverage.
• Criminal Record Check Fee: $47 (approx.)
• Textbooks: There are no textbooks for this program

This program is full time therefore it is eligible for student loans!

Graduation requirements

A minimum of 75% is required in MDRT 001 and MDRT 002 in order to participate in MDRT 003. 

To be eligible for the Certificate of Program Completion, the student must successfully complete all courses.  A minimum of 75% is required to pass each course.

Students are required to attend all scheduled classes, labs, and practicum experiences.  Students who do not meet the attendance requirement may not qualify to receive the Program Certificate.

How to apply

Apply Online or use a paper application for admission.  An application fee is required

Contact information

Yan Li, Program Assistant
Professional Development and Training
Faculty of Health Sciences and Human Services
Email: PDT.HHS@viu.ca 

Useful links

• Accuplacer
• Island Health