SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
21414  Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  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 
This qualification forms part of the credentialing process, for medical practitioners as Specialists in Chemical Pathology. It aims to provide sufficient training in Chemical Pathology to enable competent practice as a Chemical Pathologist in either the public or private sector. The qualification is recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa for the purposes of registration as a Chemical Pathologist. Learners must hold an HPCSA-approved registrar post in a teaching hospital during the training period that is usually 4 years. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medical Honours in Chemical Pathology, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical Pathology, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences, NQF Level 8, 480 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The qualified learner is able to apply knowledge of the biochemical basis of disease processes, to solve clinical diagnostic problems.
    2. The qualified learner has the practical laboratory skills and experience to competently perform, assess and manage clinical biochemistry tests.
    3. The qualified learner has sufficient depth of understanding of biochemical methodology and disease mechanisms to enable him/her to competently perform unsupervised research and development projects in Chemical Pathology. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Is able to describe and explain the biochemical mechanisms of human diseases.
  • Is able to perform all biochemical diagnostic tests that are generally in use in modern Chemical pathology laboratories.
  • Is able to explain the theoretical principles of all generally used biochemical diagnostic tests.
  • Is able to ensure a high standard of laboratory test results by applying appropriate quality control programs.
  • Is able to describe and explain the theory and principles of practical operation of all widely used biochemical diagnostic instruments.
  • Is able to critically appraise the clinical usefulness and technical performance of biochemical diagnostic tests.
  • Is able to apply basic biochemical principles to the design of new diagnostic tests, and to trouble-shooting of existing tests.
  • Is able to analyse clinical laboratory data and provide interpretation of such data of clinical diagnostic or prognostic value.
  • Is able to critically assess literature on the biochemical mechanisms of diseases and the use of clinical biochemistry tests.
  • Is able to successfully lease between clinicians and technical laboratory staff to optimise the clinical value of the laboratory.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Part 1:
    Certification by the head of the training department that at least 1 year of training in an approved post (registrar level or equivalent) has taken place prior to the Part 1 examination. The Part 1 examination consists of written, practical and oral examinations.
    Part 2:
    Certification by the head of the department that following the successful completion of the Part 1 examination, at least 3 further years of training in an approved post (registrar level or equivalent) have taken place prior to the Part 2 examination. Of these 3 years, at least 2 years must be in a Chemical Pathology laboratory, while up to 1 year may be spent in another branch of Pathology or in Clinical Medicine or Paediatrics ("the outside year"). The Part 2 examination consists of written, practical and oral examinations.
    Part 3:
    A dissertation presenting the results of the learner's own laboratory-based research must be submitted and forms part of the final assessment of the learner. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine in Anatomical Pathology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master's Degree.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Pathology, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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.
     
    1. University of Cape Town 


    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.