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Medical Device Reprocessing Technician
education now available on PEI
by Gloria Welton
A
s a result of job demand, Holland College, in
partnership with QEH and Saskatchewan Institute
of Applied Science & Technology (SIAST), is now
offering a Medical Device Reprocessing Technician
program.
Students can enter the program on a continuous
basis, depending on the schedule, which starts in
November, 2014.
People in this profession are responsible for
reprocessing or sterilizing all medical devices
(surgical instruments) after use in the operating
room or other hospital department.
“This is an absolutely wonderful and evolving career
choice with lots of opportunities for meaningful
employment,” says Susan MacKinnon, who has been
the Supervisor of the Sterilization and Reprocessing
Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in
Charlottetown since 2001. Susan is also helping to
coordinate the implementation of the program.
“As a result of the need for
this profession to grow, we
have created a higher level
Technician position,” says
Susan. “Now we have two
of those staff in place. They
support the manager and are
in constant contact with the
operating rooms, the clinics,
and other areas of the
hospital.”
Submitted photos
From left, Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians Kevin McCabe,
Kelley Rhynes and Mark Butler next to the steam sterilizer at QEH.
“This department has grown significantly in the last
10 years, and we are starting to branch out into other
clinical settings within the hospital,” says Susan.
“Because of the rise in infectious control issues, it is
high priority for our department to remain a strong
part of the healthcare system and to provide quality
care to patients.
“By offering exceptional post-secondary education
right here at home, we are addressing the challenge
of increasing the number of well-educated staff that
will be required.”
Dave Beaton, Director of Programs with Holland
College, says the need for more Medical Device
Reprocessing Technicians is similar across Atlantic
Canada.
“People who are unemployed or underemployed
should consider this career because it is a high
demand and lucrative profession,” says Dave.
“And for those currently working in the field who
want further training, we have provided a flexible
program schedule.”
About the profession on PEI
Presently, four hospitals on PEI employ Medical
Device Reprocessing Technicians:
• QEH has 30 Technicians
• Prince County has six to eight Technicians
• Western Hospital has one Technician
• Kings County Memorial has one Technician.
The PCH also provides services to other facilities
such as the Atlantic Veterinary College and longterm care facilities.
“The average age of our staff is 50 years old. Most
are women, but we are hiring more men than in the
past,” says Susan.
The QEH department operates from 7 am to 11 pm,
seven days a week. About 80 percent of work is for
the operating room. The other 20 percent is
for procedures done in the
emergency room and in
ambulatory care.
2
October 2014
2014 Blogs
Lori Hughes, QEH
MJ Kim, QEH
About the program
Wages and benefits
To meet the new standard for Technicians, a
certificate in Medical Device Reprocessing is
required.
A Technician starting out earns about $21 per hour.
“If you were hired on at any PEI hospital, you
would be entitled to benefits,” says Susan.
For the past two years, Susan has been working
closely with SIAST to allow Island students to
fully complete the program by doing the practicum
component at the QEH. “We have hired graduates
of this program, and we presently have students
who are at the practicum stage.”
“It’s a job that you can feel proud to do. We have a
great group of people in this department. They are
committed to their work, and they are always trying
to find ways to do their jobs better.”
“When students register with Holland College, they
will be linked to the SIAST curriculum,” says Dave.
“Students will also be connected with the QEH
department and the PCH department, and will be
assigned a practicum and a preceptor who monitors
the placement.”
The home study portion of the program is print
based and tutor supported. It includes four modules
plus a 400-hour practicum. Each module is offered
about every two months.
“All components of the program could be
accomplished on a full-time or part-time basis,”
says Dave.
How to get started in the program
Students register with the college through the
website or directly with the admissions office. Then
they start to receive information from SIAST for the
theoretical modules.
Rosemary White, Holland College Program
Manager with Health and Community Studies, will
oversee the students.
Students will have access to all the resources, perks,
supports, and benefits the college provides. When
they finish the fourth module, students will continue
to be under Holland College during the practicum
module.
For more information, contact Susan Mackinnon at 902-628-7158 or Rosemary White at 902-566-9672.
Visit Holland College at www.hollandcollege.com
For more information about Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST),
Continuing Education, visit www.siast.sk.ca/distance/?p=mult&c=235
For the full interview, visit www.employmentjourney.com and search Medical Device Reprocessing
Technician
www.employmentjour ney.com
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