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Registered Nurse (RN)
Central Sterile Supply Department

Nurses in the reprocessing unit for medical devices

Who they are, what they do and which devices they use: a research-based profile for recruiting this target group for MedTech and pharma projects.

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Research-based, not yet confirmed by professionals
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Countries with evidence
DE, AT, CH
Evidence records
5
Price per hour, Germany (net)*
96
to
165
€
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* Applies to Germany. Rates in other countries can differ considerably. The button opens the TechNurse target group calculator with this profile preselected for Germany.

Overview

Nurses in the reprocessing unit for medical devices reprocess reusable instruments and other medical devices for operating theatres, outpatient clinics and wards. The cycle covers pre-cleaning, automated cleaning and disinfection, inspection of cleanliness and function, maintenance, packaging, sterilisation and documented release. The professional society for sterile supply requires staff with a health profession to have expertise matching their activity and product range, and expects staff of a reprocessing unit to hold at least the specialist course level I. This course leads to the job title sterile processing technician. Further courses exist for shift leads and unit leads. All work steps are recorded in an IT system so that every sterilisation batch remains traceable.

Not yet confirmed by professionals
This profile is based on public sources such as job descriptions, professional regulations and training curricula. Healthcare professionals from this group have not yet reviewed it on the TechNurse platform.
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Profession by country

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Germany
 
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Austria
 
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Switzerland
 

Fields of use and typical tasks

Zentrale Sterilgutversorgung

Evidence from: DE, AT, CH

  • Dismantle used medical devices, pre-clean them and sort them into wash baskets
  • Load the washer-disinfectors and run the automated reprocessing
  • Check cleanliness and function of the instruments at the packing table
  • Maintain complex instruments such as drills and precision instruments
  • Check each instrument tray for completeness using its individual code
  • Sterilise instrument trays with steam at 134 degrees Celsius

Specializations

Devices and systems they use

Who they work with

  • Hospital transport service delivering the used instruments
  • Staff of operating theatres and outpatient clinics who use the reprocessed sets and containers

Frequently asked questions

What qualification do staff in a reprocessing unit have?

According to the professional society, staff in units handling critical devices hold at least specialist course level I or the vocational qualification in medical device reprocessing. Level II is intended for shift leads and the management course for unit leads.

Which steps does an instrument pass through?

Pre-cleaning, automated cleaning and disinfection, inspection of cleanliness and function with maintenance, packaging, steam sterilisation, followed by inspection and release of the batch. One facility states a programme of about one hour for automated cleaning and disinfection (example of one facility).

How is reprocessing documented?

An IT system records the work steps, assigns the devices to a sterilisation batch and documents the release. Units handling critical devices are expected to have standard operating procedures with a defined release decision.

Do participants of specialist course level I already have practical experience?

Yes. Admission requires proof of at least 150 hours of practical work in a reprocessing unit, and a further 80 hours are added between the course parts.

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