At a glance
Kick start your career in the health sector with this entry-level course that will qualify you to work as a sterilisation assistant.
JOB PROSPECTS
- Sterilisation Assistant
COURSE OUTCOME
HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
Course overview
Begin your career in health services with this entry-level qualification. This course will qualify you to work in the growing health sector as a sterilisation assistant.
This course will give you the skills to chemically disinfect equipment, comply with infection prevention and control policies, manage sterile stock, and inspect and pack reusable medical equipment. Our highly experienced team of industry professionals will give you the support and one-on-on guidance you need to successfully transition into the health sector.
Successful completion of this course will give you the practical skills and knowledge to work in central sterilisation services.
As part of your course you get valuable experience in real workplaces, working in a real central sterilising services department. Our strong partnerships mean you will learn the skills you need while also getting to know potential future employers
Enter the vocational training sector and learn from industry experts. At TAFE Queensland, we have been delivering vocational and education to Queensland's communities for more than 130 years, and were winners of the 2016 Queensland Training Award - Large Training Provider of the Year.
Units
The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and 4 elective units from the list below. You will also be required to undertake 120 hours of vocational placement in an approved setting.
| UNIT CODE | UNIT NAME | |
|---|---|---|
| CHCCOM005 |
Communicate and work in health or community services | |
| CHCDIV001 |
Work with diverse people | |
| HLTINF001 |
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures | |
| HLTSTE001 |
Clean and disinfect reusable medical devices | |
| HLTSTE002 |
Inspect and pack reusable medical devices | |
| HLTSTE003 |
Sterilise loads | |
| HLTSTE004 |
Manage sterile stock | |
| HLTSTE005 |
Care for reusable medical devices | |
| HLTWHS001 |
Participate in workplace health and safety | |
| HLTWHS005 |
Conduct manual tasks safely | |
Note: Not all electives are available at all campuses.
Ways to study
Studying on campus is a great way to enjoy the benefits of face-to-face education in a way that is far removed from a typical school. No matter which campus you choose, you know that you will be learning in an adult environment where you will be respected and nurtured. Attend a campus to learn face-to-face with a teacher in one of our learning spaces; such as a classroom, workshop, laboratory or simulated environments, or interact with teachers using real-time video or web conference tools. Learn more
What you need to know about studying on campus
Courses delivered on campus may have a combination of online and classroom based learning. Students are expected to undertake additional personal study to complete the course requirements.
Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of choosing when and where you study. Direct your own learning with all your study materials online, allowing you to manage your own workload and fit your studies around your lifestyle. Access your learning space 24 hours a day, seven days a week and be supported by high-quality educators who are devoted to your outcomes. Learn more
What you need to know about studying online
Intake
For most online courses study is structured into fixed intakes that have set durations of 12 weeks from the study commencement date. You will be able to access your learning materials from the first day of the study period. You must be enrolled to be able to access your learning materials. To ensure you can manage your study load, we recommend limiting your workload to no more than 2 units of competency per intake. In some circumstances, you may be required/able to complete 3 units per intake.
Other online courses such as nursing have different intakes, durations, and workload structures.
University pathways
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathways
Payment options
No matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what's right for you, get in touch. We're here to help.
Upfront payment
This is the total amount you need to pay when you enrol. This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.
Payment plan
If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.
Important Information
Selection criteria
- Applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds must be able to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and have comprehension skills that would be required to fulfil a job role; and,
- Applicants will require a standard of basic computer literacy skills and must have access to a computer and the internet as learning resources, assessments and exams will be issued and conducted online through our Learning Management System; and,
- Industry-based applicants must be able to nominate a Workplace Supervisor to observe and record competencies within the workplace. As a minimum, the Workplace Supervisor must have a Certificate III in Sterilisation Services or higher relevant qualifications in Sterilisation; and,
- Interstate, non-industry applicants will be accepted providing you can supply the contact name and details of a hospital who is prepared to host you for your 120-hour vocational placement and have a Workplace Supervisor with a Certificate III in Sterilisation Services or higher relevant qualifications in Sterilisation; and,
- Non-industry applicants must be prepared to undergo a series of vaccinations to prepare you for placement; and
- Non-industry applicants must be able to prove (via an immunization statement or letter from your GP) that you have had at least the first two (2) of three, Hepatitis B vaccinations prior to applying for this program.
Placement
Depending on the placement hospital, non-industry applicants may be required to undergo a Criminal History Check prior to vocational placement. Applicants who are not currently employed in a sterilising department (hospital or office-based) are required to complete a 120 hour (3 consecutive weeks) vocational placement in a hospital sterilisation facility. Vocational placement is conducted Monday – Friday between 6:00 and 23:00 hours. The hospital will give you a shift roster at the time of placement. Vocational placement occurs around month 7 or 8 depending on your progress.
TAFE Queensland will negotiate with hospitals in your local area (where possible) to find a placement position for you. Please note, due to the high number of students completing placements, you are required to be flexible and may have to travel outside your immediate area to attend placement. It is also understood that students may have preferences for specific hospitals and/or periods of times, however there is no guarantee this is possible and is determined by industry availability.
Non-industry applicants are required to meet the following specific vaccination criteria prior to being accepted for placement.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Two doses
- Hepatitis B: Full course. Note: a full course (i.e. 3 doses) of Hepatitis B vaccinations takes approximately 9 months
- Varicella (Chickenpox): Two doses
- Pertussis (Whooping cough): One dose
Tuberculosis: The Mantoux Test is required by some hospitals if you have lived anywhere other than Australia for more than 3 months. You will be advised if this is required prior to the commencement of your placement.
Note: some hospitals also request immunisation for the annual influenza vaccine.
Prior to the commencement of vocational placement, applicants will need to provide evidence of immunity to the above vaccine-preventable diseases by producing results of a blood test or a statement from a GP.
Applicants who have been previously immunised will need to provide evidence of having sero-converted by producing results of a blood test. This is a high risk industry; those who are unable to sero-convert for Hepatitis B should seek advice from a medical practitioner prior to enrolling. Cover for HepatitisB is mandatory for all Queensland Health staff and students.
Assessment Methods
Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.
Disclaimer
All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.
How to apply
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfers
Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. Getting recognition for the skills you've gained from the workplace or previous learning means less study time for you, and getting the paper to prove you're qualified a whole lot sooner. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.
Get started with TAFE Queensland
If you have read and understood the student rules, refund policy, understand your fees and payment options, have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and checked you meet the entry requirements and selection criteria for this course, you're ready to get started.
University pathways
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathways 