Private Bag x3, Tygerberg, 7505, Cape Town
South Africa
Head of Unit: Prof S. Mehtar -
IPC Nursing Team: Tel: +27.21.938.6083/5056/5057
Course Co-ordinator: Tel: +27.21.938.5619/5059
Administration: Tel: +27.21.938.5054: Fax:+27 21 938 5065
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Sterile Services Courses
Introduction
The Unit for Infection Prevention and Control, Faculty of Health Sciences, StellenboschUniversity has established a short course training programme in Sterile Services for South Africans interested in perusing this field as a career in the future. All short courses at StellenboschUniversity are SAQA accredited.
The course is jointly run by Mrs Denise Sheard, a private training consultant, and Professor Shaheen Mehtar,Head of Academic Unit for Infection Prevention and ControlTygerbergHospital & StellenboschUniversity. It aims at developing and improving the skills and abilities of SSD workers to deal competently with decontamination and sterilisation in their everyday jobs.
The course is tiered into three modules allowing students to exit the training at various stages of competency depending on their ability. The modules are set according to recognised national and international standards and are taught by internationally recognised experts in the field.
A Certificate of Competence will be issued for all three levels should the trainee satisfy the examination
The Basic Module is an 8 week course which of one week is contact teaching. The course provides a basic understanding of practice and procedure to all levels of SSD workers. It serves as an induction to Sterile Services and clarifies misconceptions in the workplace.
The Intermediate Module is a 10 week course of which two weeks is contact teaching. It is aimed at a higher level of infection control practitioners, hospital engineers, sterile service staff who have successfully completed the basic course. It includes decontamination of heat labile equipment and principles of sterilization. There is a significant component of practical demonstration and activity.
The Advanced Module is a 10 week course of which two weeks is contact teaching. It will provide in depth understanding of equipment, standards, packaging, wrapping and legal aspects of sterilization and decontamination. In addition, management of Sterile Services and technical training for sterilization technologists will be addressed. Those attending this module will require a high level of understanding and commitment.Successful candidates will begiven a Certificate of Competence.
It is envisaged that on completion of the Advanced Course students will be encouraged to spend a further year in research and project development which will result in a higher qualification in SSD accredited by either Cape Peninsular University of Technology or StellenboschUniversity (still being negotiated).
Who would benefit?
The course is open to anyone that works in the sterile services environment where infection control and specifically decontamination is paramount. It is hoped that this training will enhance the careers of SSD personnel by standardising SSD training.
Course Criteria
TheFoundation Coursein Sterilization and Decontamination is a one day workshop prerequisite towards the Basic Module in Sterilization and Decontamination. This is a brief orientation to all aspects of the SSD. Any course that teaches the fundamentals of SSD will be accepted towards entering this module i.e. SafMed Course. Once successfully completing the Foundation Module, with proof of competence, students that have at least a Grade 10 Certificate or equivalent and/or at least two years experience in an SSD will be eligible to progress to the Sterilization and Decontamination Course.
The Basic course in Sterilization and Decontamination
Students must have attended, and passed, an approved foundation course as proof of a basic level of competence. It is highly recommended that senior staff are sent on the course first so that they can train and assist more junior staff.
The Intermediate Course; Students must have successfully completed the Basic Module in Sterilization and Decontamination to be eligible for this course.
The Advanced Course in Sterile Service Management: Students must have successfully completed both the Sterilization and Decontamination Basic and Intermediate courses with top marks in order to be eligible for this course.
Credits
Course / Duration / Provisional CreditsBasic course / 1 week contact; 5 weeks workplace / 20
Intermediate course / 2 week contact; 8 weeks workplace / 40
Advanced course / 2 weeks contact; 8 weeks workplace / 40
Costs (2008)
Course / Provisional Cost per moduleFoundation / FREE – sponsored by SafMed
Basic course / R3,000.00
Intermediate course / R6,000.00
Advanced course / R6,000.00
Costs cover all course study material, practical work and Certification of Competence.
Examination
Students will be examined by a written test, completion of a log book at the workplace and a project relating to the subject
A Certificate of Competence will be issued to students who pass the examination and demonstrate competency.
No Certificate of Attendance will be given.
Special Requirements
Each student will need to have a senior member of staff appointed as a mentor/ supervisor to assist with site evaluation and completion of a practical experience logbook over 5 / 8weeks.
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