Introduction to Sterilising Technology

STE302

Level 3

Level

You can tell how hard a course or qualification is by the level it is set at:

Levels 1-4 are about the same as secondary school and basic trades training.

Levels 5-7 are the same as university study.
20 Credits

Credits

Courses are assigned credits depending on how much time and effort is needed to complete their learning outcomes. In general, each credit represents approximately 10 hours of study time.
0.1667 EFTS

EFTS

EFTS stands for equivalent full-time student. An EFTS is the study time required for each course and is used by the Tertiary Education Commission to decide if a course is part-time or full-time.

One year of full-time study is generally between 0.8 and 1.2 EFTS.
Delivery type:

Online

Delivery Type

Online – The course materials for online courses are delivered in an online format and all assignments are submitted online.

Mixed – These courses are delivered using a mix of online and paper based course materials. This may include receiving paper course materials, submitting assignments online, or being required to participate in online forums and learning activities.

Print Only - The course will be delivered using paper based courses materials, and assignments may need to be submitted in hard copy rather than online. This will depend on the course.

Whether courses are delivered online, on paper or a mixture of both, there may also be components such as workshops, noho marae, work experience and practicum to participate in. To find out what your course involves check the course information page.
Course duration: 16 weeks
Course Duration
Weeks

The course duration, or enrolment period, is the number of weeks from the course start to the course end date

When you start your course, you will have a study guide to follow that outlines what topics to work on in each week of the course.

For some courses this will be based on teaching weeks, which is shorter than duration to allow time at the end of the course for assessment marking, extensions and exams.

Withdrawal dates are affected by the course duration.

More withdrawals and course transfers.
Course cost:

$0 NZ Domestic

Course Cost

Course costs This is an approximate cost for fees only. It does not any include additional costs that some courses may have, such as for textbooks or software, external exam fees, or travel to noho marae or practicum. If your course has any of these they will be included below.

$2,062 NZ International
Workload - Approximately 13 hours per week

Workload

Workload

The workload is an estimate that is calculated using:

Number of credits x 10, divided by the number of teaching weeks of the course.

The hours are rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Workload is a guide only - you might need more or less time for study each week. You may also need to do more when you have assessments due or exams.

Check our time information and calculator to help you decide if you can fit study into your life:

Availability

Monthly course availability for upcoming periods
Not available May	Not available Jun	Not available Jul	Not available Aug	Not available Sep	October enrolment dates Enrol by - Course starts - Course ends - 6 Oct 2026 19 Oct 2026 7 Mar 2027	November enrolment dates Enrol by - Course starts - Course ends - 3 Nov 2026 16 Nov 2026 4 Apr 2027	December enrolment dates Enrol by - Course starts - Course ends - 8 Dec 2026 21 Dec 2026 9 May 2027	2027 Not available Jan	Not available Feb	Not available Mar	Not available Apr

The online sterilising technology course will enable you identify key standards for sterilising technology, describe the reprocessing cycle for reusable devices and apply this knowledge to maintaining a safe work environment.

You will be able to apply this knowledge when reprocessing reusable medical devices under supervision to facilitate safe patient-centred healthcare.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to

Acknowledge their professional environmental context and how standards may apply when they reprocess reusable devices.
Apply key standards for sterilising technology relating to reprocessing reusable devices.
Describe how the reprocessing cycle for reusable devices is applied to facilitate safe patient-centred healthcare.
Apply knowledge of infection prevention and control practices to control contamination when reprocessing reusable devices.
Apply safe work practices to maintain a safe work environment when reprocessing reusable devices.

Assessment

This course is 100% internally assessed.

Textbooks

No textbooks are required for this course.

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How to enrol

Before enrolling in this course you need to:

choose the qualification you will study the course under
check the order that courses in the qualification should be studied in the Qualification Structure table. This is in the Choose courses and apply tab on the qualification page.

How to apply

Apply to study a programme

You can study this course as part of any of the programmes listed below.

Click on a tile to go the programme page and find out what the programme covers, how many courses you'll need to do and check the entry requirements.

From there you click 'Apply now' and start your study journey.

Certificate

New Zealand Certificate in Sterilising Technology (Level 3) NZ3218

Micro-credentials