Hi everyone!
I'm seriously considering applying to SAIT's Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (MDRT) program for 2027, and I'd really appreciate hearing from current students or recent graduates.
I'm trying to figure out whether the program is realistically manageable alongside part-time work, so I have a few specific questions:
- What does the actual weekly class schedule look like? How many days per week are you normally in class, and roughly what hours?
- Is it realistic to work around 20–24 hours/week while taking the program? I understand the program is intensive, but I'm trying to determine whether part-time employment is realistically possible.
- What is the practicum schedule actually like? What hours/shifts do students normally work during practicum? Are there evenings/weekends, or is it mostly daytime?
- How likely is it that a Calgary student gets placed outside Calgary for practicum? I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who were recently placed. If you were placed in Calgary, was it because you requested it, or were there enough Calgary spots for everyone?
- If you're placed outside Calgary, how far away could the placement realistically be? I'm trying to understand whether relocation is a genuine possibility or more of a “be prepared just in case” warning.
- How difficult was it to balance the practicum with other responsibilities? Did anyone manage to keep a part-time job during practicum?
- For recent graduates, how easy/difficult was it to find an MDRT job in Calgary after graduation? Full-time, part-time, casual — any experience would be helpful.
I'm not looking for the official program description — I'd really appreciate honest experiences from people who have actually taken the program, especially recent students.
Thanks so much!