Program Overview

Prepare for the operating theatre team with solid competencies in sterile technique, instrumentation, patient positioning, theatre workflows, and perioperative safety. This KNEC-aligned diploma blends classroom, skills lab, and intensive theatre exposure to build confident, job-ready graduates.

Duration & Study Pattern

• Duration: 3 academic years (9 terms)
• Term format: ~12 teaching weeks + 2 assessment weeks
• Weekly rhythm: Mon–Wed theory/labs • Thu–Sat theatre rotations (by roster)

Learning Methods

• Lectures, instrument demos, case conferences
• Skills lab simulations (scrub, gown, glove, draping, counts, handover)
• Clinical attachments in major/minor theatres & CSSD
• Interdisciplinary drills with anesthesia and nursing teams

Indicative Modules

Year 1

• Anatomy & Physiology; Microbiology & IPC
• Intro to Perioperative Care & Theatre Ethics
• Patient Preparation, Positioning & Transfer Safety
• Basic Instrumentation & Sterilization Principles

Year 2

• Surgical Specialties: General, Ortho, OB/GYN, ENT
• Instrument Sets, Draping Techniques & Counts
• CSSD Operations: Decontamination, Packaging, Sterilizers
• Anaesthesia Support Basics & Monitoring Concepts

Year 3

• Emergency & Trauma Theatre; Infection Outbreak Response
• Leadership, Team Communication & Theatre Management
• Quality & Patient Safety (WHO Checklist; incident reporting)
• Integrated Clinical Placement & Exit Exam Prep

Key Perioperative Skills

• Scrubbing, gowning, gloving; sterile field set-up & maintenance
• Instrument identification, passing techniques & care
• Draping methods; sponge/sharp/instrument counts
• Patient positioning, pressure point protection & safety straps
• Specimen handling, documentation & handovers
• CSSD workflows: cleaning, inspection, packaging, sterilization, storage

Labs & Theatre Rotations

• Simulation labs for asepsis, set-ups, and emergency drills
• Rotations across major & minor theatres (various specialties)
• CSSD placement for full cycle instrument reprocessing
• Logbook competencies signed by preceptors & supervisors

Assessment (KNEC)

• Coursework: CATs, OSCEs/skills checklists, case logs, clinical evaluations
• Final Exams: KNEC written papers + practical/OSCE
• Eligibility: required clinical hours and completed logbook

Entry Requirements

• KCSE Mean Grade typically C- (Minus) or higher
• C- in English/Kiswahili and Biology
• D+ in one of: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Geography, Agriculture, or Business

Applicants with related healthcare certificates/experience may be considered individually.

Frequently Asked

What roles can I work in?
Perioperative technologist/assistant, CSSD technician, theatre assistant in public or private hospitals.

Do I learn across multiple specialties?
Yes—general surgery, orthopedics, OB/GYN, ENT and others as per rotation availability.

Are placements arranged by VMTC?
Yes. We coordinate with approved partner hospitals and supervise your logbook completion.