For Medical Device Reprocessing Technician courses and certification.
Please note that CAMDR does not endorse any of these courses, and this list is not all inclusive; it is simply for your information. Those wishing to take any course should investigate whether the course is recognized by potential employers in their area.
Not all programs are offered annually. Some facilities also offer online/distance education. Please check with the facility to ensure the MDR course is offered before applying.
The Certified Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (CMDRT) Personnel Certification
The Certified Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (CMDRT) Personnel Certification has been developed by CSA Group in conjunction with industry stakeholders to provide assurance that an individual possesses the competencies deemed necessary to perform the job function of a Medical Device Reprocessing Technician. The certification is designed to complement accreditation programs for verification bodies.
This certification has been developed in compliance with the ISO 17024 standard. ISO 17024 is the global benchmark for organizations operating personnel certification programs and outlines the methods and procedures required to ensure the objective and unbiased assessment of a candidate’s knowledge, skills and abilities.
Passing the CMDRT examination will indicate that the candidate possesses the knowledge, skills and decision-making abilities necessary to practice the proper techniques for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of medical instruments and devices.
Certified Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians will be periodically re-assessed to ensure they remain up-to-date on technical developments and industry changes.
Scope
The certification is based on Canadian standards and best practices for technicians reprocessing reusable medical devices in Canada and complements certifications in infection prevention & control, nursing and related healthcare professions. The certification will also lend consistency to the application of excellence in re-processing practice; it will establish the body of knowledge necessary to guide national education and training; and raise the profile of technicians by bringing attention to the very important role they play in Canadian healthcare settings.
Applicable Industries
Anyone who reprocesses re-usable medical devices:
Program Highlights
Minimum Candidate Qualifications
Minimum Candidate Qualifications
The Medical Device Reprocessing Technician certification tests each candidate’s knowledge to ensure the candidate possesses the knowledge and skills of a minimally qualified candidate. CSA Group’s expert committee defines the minimally qualified candidate as follows:
The minimally qualified candidate can perform medical device reprocessing activities without assistance, including (but not limited to):
Applying the principles of basic microbiology and infection prevention & control to decrease risk to both patients and staff during routine reprocessing procedures:
- Use Personal Protective Equipment
- Follow dress code/hand hygiene practices
- Maintain traffic control
- Maintain one-way workflow
- Follow written department policies and standard operating procedures
- Handling and transporting contaminated medical devices
- Decontaminating reusable medical devices
- Preparing and packaging medical devices:
- Identifying common medical instruments and other medical devices by type and function
- Use appropriate packaging material
- Inspecting instruments and devices for cleanliness, function and damage
- Selecting and safely using reprocessing products (e.g., detergents, low and high level disinfectants)
- Disinfecting medical devices:
- Chemical
- Thermal
- Sterilizing medical devices via:
- Steam
- Low temperature methods (gases and liquids)
- Monitoring and documenting quality:
- Recognizing non-compliant reprocessing outcomes
- Respond appropriately to non-compliant reprocessing events
- Storing and distributing medical devices
- Recognizing and responding to occupational health and safety hazards or events
- Troubleshooting common problems
- Using common reprocessing equipment (e.g., washer disinfectors, ultrasonic, pasteurizers, cart washers, steam sterilizers, low temperature sterilizers, automatic endoscopic reprocessors)
When your application is submitted and accepted by CSA Group, you will have 6 months to complete the certification process.
You will be permitted to challenge the written exam up to two additional times if necessary, for a total of three times per application. Additional sitting fees are applicable for second and third exam attempts as necessary.
Fees submitted with your initial application cover the application fee and one examination attempt.
Once you have passed the exam and have earned certification, you will be listed on CSA Group’s People Search database of certified personnel.
You can find the Guidebook here: (By clicking on the tab for Guidebook)
For the Beta Exam you can use this link: https://store.csagroup.org/ccrz__ProductDetails?viewState=DetailView&cartID=&portalUser=&store=&cclcl=en_US&sku=2428090_pcbeta
CMDRT Recognized Training Providers
Other College Courses – must be approved by CSA
In-House Training Program – must be approved by CSA
The educational program should include courses related to the following: quality systems, infection prevention and control, basic microbiology, occupational health and safety, decontamination processes, high level disinfection, assembly, sterilization of medical devices, storage, transportation and distribution and flexible endoscopes.
Endoscope clinics must complete one of the above approved courses in addition to all the other prerequisites. There are vendor specific training courses that can be taken as a supplement for more in-depth knowledge.