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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Nuclear Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
102940  Master of Medicine in Nuclear Medicine 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  720  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Master of Medicine in Nuclear Medicine produces learners with the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver safe, high quality diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine services. Holistic training further equips learners with the ability to conduct independent research of a high ethical and scientific standard and to practice the speciality following the principles of social accountability.

Rationale:
Nuclear medicine is a medical speciality that utilises the nuclear properties of radioactive nuclides to make diagnostic evaluations of the anatomical and physiological conditions of the body and to provide therapy with unsealed radioactive sources.

Access to Nuclear Medicine services is currently limited (especially in the public sector). This four-year professional qualification increases the number of competent, skilled and knowledgeable Nuclear Medicine Physicians who contribute to the advancement of human healthcare through radionuclide based clinical service delivery and scientific research. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification or experiential or work-based learning of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), can be considered for admission and the recognition of prior accredited and prior experiential learning. Learners who, after such assessment, have sufficient potential but need further academic development, are required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary qualifications before admission or parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
    And
  • Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner in the category: Independent practice. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 720 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 720 Credits:
  • Applied Anatomy, 20 Credits.
  • General Physiology, 20 Credits.
  • Medical Physics, 60 Credits.
  • Nuclear Medicine, 440 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Assist in diagnoses, through verbal communication, physical examination, laboratory investigations (routine and in vitro scintillation studies), and interpret appropriate specialised diagnostic paraphernalia (e.g., SPECT-C, PET-CT, routine gamma camera imaging) investigate, and assist in the formulation and execution of management options for divergent problems in Nuclear Medicine in an holistic manner.
  • Advise and implement appropriate measures in disease management relevant to Nuclear Medicine.
  • Interpret scientific literature relevant to his/her field and through reflection, to adapt new developments in the field of Nuclear Medicine into his/her clinical practice.
  • Conceptualise, plan, implement, and interpret research relevant to the practice of Nuclear Medicine. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria assesses the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Provide unsupervised and independent, comprehensive medical care in nuclear medicine.
  • Clearly and professionally communicate the results of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures: Verbally - using appropriate audience context; and In a formal report, addressed to a referring physician.
  • Practice the speciality with due regard to all aspects of radiation safety (as legislated) and per the ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) principle.
  • Solve common and uncommon patient problems using a variety of specialised technical skills.
  • Resolve contextual and abstract problems at an individual and a community level.
  • Present a cogent dissertation on research conducted.
  • Participate adequately in teaching seminars.
  • Participate in the maintenance of professional competence continuously.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessments are continuously through evaluation of performance in clinical practice, developed and based on a framework of work-integrated learning, within the context of the everyday clinical practice, under the supervision of an experienced nuclear medicine specialist.

    There is an emphasis on Experiential learning and on self-directed learning, which is supported by formal and informal learning opportunities in the form of:
  • Formal case and topic presentations,
  • Evidence-based clinical discussions on current best practice,
  • Journal club meetings,
  • Seminars and tutorials,
  • Oral and written assignments,
  • Participation in intra- and interdepartmental scientific meetings,
  • Work-integrated learning.

    The learner submits a research report that following in the integrated assessment of research mastery.

    Assessment of minimum competence in clinical knowledge and skills takes place with a CMSA logbook, which requires learners to compile a portfolio of integrated learning over the 48-month training period. This portfolio provides a means to identify poor academic and professional progression and allows for timeous remedial action.

    After a specified minimum period of registrar training, the learner can exit through a 'single-exit' examination process as mandated by the HPCSA. It entails successful completion in writing and oral components of the FCNP (Fellowship of the College of Nuclear Physicians) Part 2 examination, under the aegis of the CMSA. Successful completion of a dissertation results in the award of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable internationally to the following:
  • American Board of Nuclear Medicine Certificate.
  • Advanced Training in Nuclear Medicine through the Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Physicians (FRACP).
  • Fellowship of the European Board of Nuclear Medicine (FEANM).
  • Master of Science in Nuclear Medicine - United Kingdom. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine: Nuclear Medicine, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.