• You would like to become a Sterilisation Assistant or Instrument Technician.
• You value cleanliness, attention to detail and want to work in the healthcare sector.
• You would like to work in the Healthcare sector in an essential support role, whereby you learn advanced techniques to sterilise surgical instruments, in preparation for a Hospital Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) or Theatre Sterile Supply Unit (TSSU).

Then this is the course for you.

To make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, please consider the essential skills and knowledge below.  You must:

• Have attention to detail with accurate recording of these details.
• Have good time-management and the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Show ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Have well-developed communication and listening skills.
• Have well-developed problem-solving skills and the ability to respond to immediate safety risks.
• Show ability to follow instructions and follow Work, Health and Safety procedures.
• Show tolerance, patience and the willingness to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

In this role you will follow known routines and procedures, taking responsibility for your own work under general supervision. The specialised skill set you will develop assists medical and nursing staff to help protect patients from infection. You will learn how to clean, disinfect and sterilise reusable medical devices for preparation prior to operational procedures and surgeries. 

Time Commitment

You will need to allocate appropriate time to complete this course. This includes attending classes on-site and/or online as outlined in the study mode; undertake independent study outside of class hours, including private study, assessment preparation, research and your traineeship work placement.

Below are some of the important personal skills you will be required to develop and demonstrate during training. These skills are highly valued by industry:

• Respectful Communication - Interact with people from diverse backgrounds, share ideas effectively and build trust.
• Teamwork and Safety – Collaborate with others, show them respect, and be open to feedback. Participate in safe work practices.
• Problem Solving - There is always a solution. How do you respond to a challenge? If you spot a problem, we encourage you to ask questions, clarify as needed, and respond appropriately within your training.
• Initiative - Stay motivated, take proactive steps, and seek help when necessary.
• Planning - Manage time well. Knowing how to prioritise and completing your tasks efficiently are crucial for your success.
• Self-Management - Reflect on your performance. Reflection is a powerful tool for growth and success as a student at South Regional TAFE. Being a professional in the workplace can mean learning when to accept responsibility for your failures as often as your successes. This is how we learn!
• Learning – Recognise what your strengths already are. Then embrace all the new knowledge and experience from your South Regional TAFE journey to grow as a student. Some of the skills you will learn include:
  • comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
  • clean and disinfect reusable medical devices.
  • inspect and pack reuseable medical devices.
  • sterilise loads.
  • manage sterile stock.
  • care for reusable medical devices.
• Technology - Adapt to new tools, access digital resources, and integrate technology into your learning.