Program Overview

Medical Device Decontamination

Overview

The Higher Certificate in Science Medical Device Decontamination is a two-year part-time course designed for individuals working in the health, hospital, and related sectors.

Course Details

• TU Code: TU057
• NFQ Level: Level 6
• Award Type: Major
• Award: Higher Certificate
• Duration: 2 Years
• Course Type: Undergraduate
• Mode of Study: Part Time
• Method of Delivery: Blended
• Commencement Date: September 2025
• Location: Tallaght
• Fees: €2,800 per year

What is Medical Device Decontamination?

This course is for anyone working in the health, hospital, and related sectors.

Minimum Entry Requirements

• This is a level 6 Minor award.
• If you are under 23 years old on the 1st of January on the year of application, you must have achieved Grade D3 in five Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish or a FETAC Level 5 qualification or equivalent unless otherwise stated.
• Mature students over 23 (on the 1st of January on the year of application) are eligible.
• Applicants will already be employed in the RIMD decontamination units in hospitals.
• All applicants must have competence in written and spoken English.

Career Opportunities

The major aims of the Higher Certificate course are to produce qualified and knowledgeable sterile service practitioners in a range of scientific, technological, and quality activities in the health, hospital, and related sectors.

Module Listing

Year One

• Semester 1:
  • Critical Skills Development [Mandatory]
  • Introduction to Mathematics [Mandatory]
  • Microbiology [Mandatory]
  • Practical Skills - Microbiology [Mandatory]
  • Principles of Biology 1 [Mandatory]
• Semester 2:
  • Principles of Human Anatomy [Mandatory]
  • Information Technology [Mandatory]
  • Introduction to Medical Devices in use in Healthcare [Mandatory]
  • Principles of Physics [Mandatory]
  • Principles of Chemistry [Mandatory]
  • Workplace Safety [Mandatory]

Year Two

• Semester 1:
  • Biodecontamination 1 RIMDs [Mandatory]
  • Biodecontamination I - Labs RIMDs [Mandatory]
  • Intro to Quality Systems [Mandatory]
  • Validation of Sterilization Processes [Mandatory]
  • Low Temperature Sterilisation [Mandatory]
• Semester 2:
  • Biodecontamination II - Endoscopes [Mandatory]
  • Biodecontamination 2-Endoscope labs [Mandatory]
  • Primary Healthcare - Instrument Decontamination [Mandatory]
  • Practical skills - Primary Care [Mandatory]
  • Principles of Law [Mandatory]
  • Ultra-sound probe decontamination [Mandatory]

Schedule

One full day a fortnight in college for two years. Some modules may be delivered in blended mode, a combination of class contact and distance learning.

Progression

Students can choose to progress their studies at TU Dublin and are eligible to apply for Bachelor of Science in Decontamination Management Year 3 (add on).