10-week Operating Theatre Technician specialist course in Melbourne
Phillips Institute’s Operating Theatre Technician specialist program is designed for people with relevant hospital or healthcare experience who want to move into operating theatre technician, theatre assistant, theatre orderly or similar theatre support work.
The course is delivered through 10 weekly four-hour after-hours classes at Phillips Institute in Carnegie, Melbourne, with practical theatre training, simulation and an 80-hour operating theatre placement.
Applicants may already hold HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, another relevant qualification, or have substantial current or recent workplace experience that can be reviewed for RPL, credit transfer, gap assessment or additional training.
Course at a glance
- Program: Operating Theatre Technician specialist program
- Qualification outcome: Eligible students can achieve HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Operating Theatre Technician)
- Specialist units: HLTTHE001, HLTTHE002 and HLTTHE003
- Delivery: 10 weekly four-hour face-to-face classes at Carnegie, Melbourne
- Class timing: After-hours delivery designed to suit people already working in hospitals
- Practical training: Operating theatre equipment, patient preparation, simulation and intra-operative support activities
- Placement: 80-hour operating theatre placement
- Placement support: Phillips Institute assists with placement arrangements; eligible students may complete placement in their current hospital workplace with approval
- Best suited to: Experienced PSAs, Clinical Assistants, Patient Care Assistants, Health Care Assistants, Theatre Assistants, Theatre Orderlies and similar hospital support workers
- Entry pathway: Existing HLT33115 holders, other relevant qualification holders, or experienced hospital workers who can meet remaining qualification requirements through RPL, credit transfer, gap assessment or additional training
- Attendance: 100% attendance at all scheduled classes is required
Who is this course suitable for?
This specialist program is intended for experienced hospital workers who want to develop or formalise operating theatre support skills.
It may be suitable if you:
- already hold HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance and want to progress into operating theatre technician or theatre support work;
- work as a Patient Services Assistant (PSA), Clinical Assistant (CA), Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Health Care Assistant (HCA), Theatre Assistant, Theatre Orderly or in another relevant hospital support role;
- already work in or around operating theatres and want nationally recognised training to formalise your existing skills;
- have substantial current or recent hospital experience but do not yet hold HLT33115 and want to find out whether RPL, gap assessment or additional training could provide a pathway; or
- hold another relevant health qualification and want your existing units and experience reviewed against the HLT33115 Operating Theatre Technician requirements.
If you have little or no relevant hospital experience, Phillips Institute may recommend completing the standard HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance first to build foundational hospital support skills and experience.
Experienced hospital workers without HLT33115
You do not necessarily need to rule yourself out if you are an experienced hospital worker but do not currently hold HLT33115.
Phillips Institute can review your current or recent work experience, previous training and available workplace evidence to determine whether you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning, credit transfer or a gap-assessment pathway.
This may be particularly relevant to experienced PSAs, Clinical Assistants, Theatre Assistants, Theatre Orderlies and similar hospital staff who have developed substantial practical skills through employment but have not previously completed the full qualification.
Where additional units, training or assessment are required to meet the full HLT33115 qualification requirements, Phillips Institute will identify those requirements before confirming the appropriate pathway and associated fees.
What qualification will I receive?
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance contains 15 units of competency. For the Operating Theatre Technician specialisation, all three Group A specialist units must be completed:
- HLTTHE001 – Handle and care for operating theatre equipment
- HLTTHE002 – Assist with preparation of clients for operative procedures
- HLTTHE003 – Provide intra-operative equipment and technical support
Applicants who already hold the other required HLT33115 units may receive credit transfer for those eligible units. Following successful completion of the three specialist units and all remaining qualification requirements, eligible students can receive HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Operating Theatre Technician).
Entry requirements
To gain maximum benefit you will need to have excellent communication skills for working in the fast-paced environment of the critical operating theatre context. You must be able to speak, read and write fluently in English, and have good numeracy, technical and digital skills.
It is very important when working in theatre-related roles to be able to understand, read and interpret a range of medical and technical information, and to effectively communicate critical information about patients and procedures. These skills are essential for successful completion.
In addition, you will need to be physically fit to work demanding shifts typically of 10 hours per day, work well in a multidisciplinary team, be able to quickly adapt and solve problems in a high-pressure environment and be comfortable working with blood and body fluids in a theatre context. Consider carefully whether you can meet these requirements before you apply for this course.
Specific entry criteria
As this program is delivered as a specialist short course, applicants are assessed individually for suitability. Applicants may already hold a relevant health qualification such as HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, or may have substantial current or recent hospital experience relevant to the program.
Phillips Institute will review previous qualifications, workplace experience and available evidence to determine the appropriate pathway. Additional training, assessment, Recognition of Prior Learning or gap assessment may be required to ensure all qualification and assessment requirements are met.
Additional entry requirements
All applicants must provide a copy of a current, clear National Police Check before commencing the operating theatre technician placement. Some hospitals will only accept a police check that is within three months of the placement start date.
You must also make an application for a no-cost volunteer Working With Children Check. An Employee WWCC is also suitable. It will not be possible to start your clinical placement until these checks are received. Some hospitals may require you to gain an Employee Working With Children Check at your own cost before you can start a placement.
Hospitals will require you to meet immunisation and health-screening requirements prior to starting placement. Most applicants who are already working in a hospital will be able to meet these requirements. Further information about these requirements will be provided by your trainer or placement coordinator.
Specialist units of competency
Phillips Institute’s Operating Theatre Technician program delivers the three Group A elective units required for the Operating Theatre Technician specialisation of HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.
This specialist short course is designed primarily for experienced hospital workers who already hold HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, or who have other relevant qualifications and experience that can be assessed against the qualification requirements.
Operating Theatre Technician specialist units (3)
- HLTTHE001 – Handle and care for operating theatre equipment
- HLTTHE002 – Assist with preparation of clients for operative procedures
- HLTTHE003 – Provide intra-operative equipment and technical support
Qualification outcome: Applicants who already hold the required HLT33115 units may receive credit transfer for applicable previously completed units. Following successful completion of the three specialist units and all other qualification requirements, eligible students can receive HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Operating Theatre Technician).
Applicants with another relevant health qualification or suitable current or recent hospital experience may also be considered. Additional gap training, assessment or Recognition of Prior Learning may be required before the full qualification with the Operating Theatre Technician specialisation can be awarded.
Operating theatre placement: Phillips Institute’s specialist program includes an 80-hour placement in a hospital operating theatre. Phillips Institute assists with placement arrangements, or eligible students may be able to complete the placement through their current hospital workplace, subject to employer, hospital and Phillips Institute approval.
Delivery
This course is delivered in a blended model with some learning content delivered online, pre-reading and attendance at 10 weekly four-hour face-to-face sessions after hours at our Carnegie training venue, including one simulation practical session completed at a Melbourne hospital.
Sessions consist of review of learning content, discussion, quizzes, role-plays and practical skills training, demonstrations, observations and simulations. Students must attend all sessions to meet course requirements.
Assessment
Theory is assessed with written tasks, either printed or online, and may include multiple choice, true/false, short answer, case studies and scenarios.
Practical skills are assessed through observation of simulated tasks during class-based training, together with work-based tasks completed onsite in a hospital.
An 80-hour placement in a hospital operating theatre is required and forms part of the assessment requirements. Phillips Institute assists with organising this placement, or eligible students may complete it in their current workplace, subject to employer, hospital and Phillips Institute approval.
Some hospitals may require the student to pay a separate fee to undertake a supervised operating theatre technician placement.
Completion of this course requires 100% attendance at all classes and satisfactory completion of all set assessments prior to commencement of the 80-hour operating theatre placement.
Fees
This specialist short course is offered as Fee for Service. Payment options include an upfront payment option and a three-month payment plan. There is no current government funding for this specialist short course. Current fees and payment options are available on our Fees page.
Important note about credit transfer: If you already hold the 12 other required HLT33115 units, those eligible units can be recognised by credit transfer. Credit transfer does not automatically reduce the advertised fee for the Operating Theatre Technician specialist program, as the specialist program fee relates to the delivery and assessment of the three theatre units, practical and simulation training, course resources and placement coordination.
Where an applicant requires additional HLT33115 units, RPL, gap assessment or training before the full qualification can be awarded, Phillips Institute will identify the individual requirements and any associated fees before enrolment. The most appropriate pathway will depend on the applicant’s previous qualifications, experience and evidence.
Talk to our team for more information about your individual pathway and applicable course fees.
Additional resources and fees
Included in this course at no additional cost:
- Phillips Institute scrubs – provided and worn at the hospital simulation session
- Simulation skills training in a leading Melbourne metropolitan hospital – one day, pre-placement
- Training with a qualified and experienced theatre technician
- Quality learning and assessment resources and simulations using real healthcare equipment
- Personal protective equipment as required throughout the training
- High-quality campus facilities
- Placement coordination and support
Students will require the following to undertake this program; however, these items are not covered in the course fees:
- Appropriate footwear – student to provide
- If gap units are required, Phillips Institute will advise you of any additional fees relevant to your enrolment
- Police checks, Working with Children Check and immunisation costs are to be covered by the student
- Some hospitals may require the student to pay a fee for placement; such placement fees are additional to the course fees
- Existing workers undertaking theatre technician placement during their current hospital employment will require employer approval before placement commencement
Next intake
Ready to take the next step? We offer intakes approximately every 3 to 4 months. Go to our Apply Now page and scroll through the Available Courses list to Operating Theatre Technician – Specialist to see the next intake dates for this program.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Operating Theatre Technician specialist course for?
This specialist course is designed for people who already have relevant hospital or healthcare experience and want to move into operating theatre technician, theatre orderly, theatre assistant or similar operating theatre support work. Applicants commonly have experience as a Patient Services Assistant, Clinical Assistant, Patient Care Assistant, Health Care Assistant, Theatre Assistant or in another relevant hospital support role.
Do I need HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance before enrolling?
Not necessarily. Applicants may already hold HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, another relevant health qualification, or have suitable current or recent hospital experience. Phillips Institute reviews applicants individually. Additional RPL, gap training or assessment may be required to meet all requirements for HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance with the Operating Theatre Technician specialisation.
What qualification will I receive after completing the course?
Eligible students who successfully complete the three Operating Theatre Technician specialist units and meet all remaining qualification requirements can receive HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Operating Theatre Technician). Previously completed eligible units may be recognised through credit transfer.
Can I study the Operating Theatre Technician course online?
No. Some learning content and pre-reading may be completed online, but this is a practical blended program. Students attend 10 weekly four-hour face-to-face sessions after hours at Phillips Institute in Carnegie, undertake practical and simulation activities, and complete an 80-hour hospital operating theatre placement. Attendance at all scheduled sessions is required.
How long does the Operating Theatre Technician course take?
The classroom component runs over 10 weeks, with one four-hour session each week. Students must also successfully complete the required assessments and an 80-hour operating theatre placement. The overall completion date may therefore depend on assessment progress and placement scheduling.
Does Phillips Institute organise the operating theatre placement?
Phillips Institute assists students with arranging the required 80-hour operating theatre placement. Students who already work in a suitable hospital may be able to complete the placement through their current workplace, subject to employer, hospital and Phillips Institute approval. Some hospitals may charge a separate supervised placement fee.
What does an Operating Theatre Technician do?
Operating Theatre Technicians work as part of the multidisciplinary operating theatre team. Their role can include preparing and handling theatre equipment, assisting with the preparation and movement of patients, preparing the operating environment and providing equipment and technical support during procedures. Duties vary between hospitals and are performed within the technician’s role and workplace procedures.
I already work as a PSA, Clinical Assistant or Theatre Assistant but don’t hold HLT33115. Can I still apply?
Possibly. Experienced hospital workers who do not yet hold HLT33115 may still be suitable for an individual pathway. Phillips Institute can review your current or recent hospital experience, previous training and workplace evidence to determine whether Recognition of Prior Learning, credit transfer, gap assessment or additional training is required. This may be particularly relevant to experienced PSAs, Clinical Assistants, Theatre Assistants, Theatre Orderlies and similar hospital staff.
If I already hold HLT33115, do I receive a reduced course fee?
Credit transfer for previously completed HLT33115 units does not automatically reduce the advertised specialist-program fee, as that fee relates to the delivery and assessment of the specialist theatre units, practical and simulation training, course resources and placement coordination. Where an applicant requires a different combined or individual pathway, Phillips Institute will confirm the applicable training and fees following an individual review.
What checks and health requirements do I need before placement?
Students must meet the requirements of the hospital providing the placement. These currently include a suitable National Police Check, Working with Children Check and required hospital immunisation and health-screening requirements. Individual hospitals may have additional requirements, and Phillips Institute provides further guidance before placement.
I have a different health qualification or hospital experience. Can I still apply?
Possibly. Phillips Institute can review relevant Australian or overseas qualifications together with current or recent hospital experience to determine whether you may be suitable for the program. Additional gap training, assessment or Recognition of Prior Learning may be required, and additional fees may apply where further units or assessment are needed to achieve the full qualification outcome.
Still have questions about the Operating Theatre Technician program?
Talk to Phillips Institute about your existing qualification, hospital experience, eligibility, operating theatre placement, RPL, gap training or assessment requirements, and whether the specialist Operating Theatre Technician program is the right pathway for you.
Related courses and pathways
If you do not yet have the qualification, experience or foundation needed for this specialist program, you may be interested in the HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance. This class-based Melbourne program can provide foundational health services skills and hospital experience before progressing towards specialist operating theatre work.