OCNews

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a career in healthcare might be studying to become a doctor or a nurse, but there are plenty of under-the-radar occupations that most students probably haven’t heard of yet, like a Medical Device Reprocessing Technician.

The College is inviting those interested in learning more about this little known but in-demand healthcare career to attend a free information session on Tuesday, April 10 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Kelowna campus.

Mike Gantner, a graduate of Okanagan College’s Medical Device Reprocessing Technician certificate, has witnessed the demand for technicians first-hand.

“Everyone that I graduated with was hired right away,” says Gantner, who decided to return to school to advance his career in healthcare after starting out in hospital laundry services.

“My open-minded approach to working at different hospitals and casual hours after graduation paid off quickly – I’m now in a full-time position with great hours.”

Healthcare facilities throughout the province rely on the comprehensive knowledge and attention to detail of Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians. They are the people who directly contribute to a hygienic environment for patients. Lives depend on the work they do to make sure that the medical instruments used in hospitals are clean, safe and sterile. 

Demand for people trained in this area across the Interior Health Authority region is high. In fact, 95 per cent of graduates from Okanagan College’s Medical Device Reprocessing certificate program are in the labour force, according to recent provincial government surveys.

The next intake for the College’s Medical Device Reprocessing Technician certificate program is coming up in May. To learn more about the info session, or to register, call 250-862-5480.

More information about the program is available at www.okanagan.bc.ca/mdrt.