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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
21415  Master of Medicine in Clinical 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 
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) recognises Clinical pathology as a speciality.

This qualification forms part of the credentialing process, for medical practitioners as Specialists in Clinical Pathology. It aims to provide sufficient training in Clinical Pathology to enable competent practice as a Clinical Pathologist in either the public or private sector. Learners must hold an HPCSA-approved registrar post in a teaching hospital during the training period that is usually four (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 Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology learner is able to apply knowledge of the biochemical, haematological, microbiological and immunological basis of disease processes, to solve clinical diagnostic problems.
    2. The Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology learner has the practical laboratory skills and experience to competently perform, assess and manage routine Clinical Pathology tests. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Is able to describe and explain the biochemical, haematological, microbiological and immunological mechanisms of human diseases.
  • Is able to perform and direct the performance of all biochemical, haematological, microbiological and immunological diagnostic tests which are generally in use in modern routine Clinical Pathology laboratories.
  • Is able to explain the theoretical principles of all generally used routine biochemical, haematological, microbiological and immunological diagnostic tests.
  • Is able to ensure a high standard of laboratory tests results by applying appropriate quality control qualifications.
  • Is able to describe and explain the theory and principles of practical operation of all widely used Clinical pathology diagnostic instruments.
  • Is able to critically appraise the clinical usefulness and technical performance of Clinical Pathology diagnostic tests.
  • Is able to analyse clinical laboratory data and interpret it in terms of clinical diagnostic or prognostic value.
  • Is able to critically assess literature on the mechanisms of diseases and the use of clinical biochemistry tests.
  • Is able to successfully liaise between clinicians and technical laboratory staff to optimise the clinical value of the laboratory.

    Integrated Assessment:
    PART 1 summative assessments in Chemical Pathology, Haematology, and Microbiology: 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 summative assessment, in each of the 3 above disciplines. The Part 1 summative assessment in each discipline consists of written, practical and oral summative assessments. Thus, a minimum of 3 years of training is required before proceeding to Part 2.

    PART 2:
    Following the successful completion of the Part 1 summative assessment in each of the three above disciplines, certification by the head of the relevant department(s) that at least 1 further year of training in an approved post (registrar level or equivalent) have taken place prior to the Part 2 summative assessment. This further year may be divided among Chemical Pathology, Haematology, Microbiology, and Immunology, according to the learner's choice, provided such a choice is acceptable to the heads of departments concerned.

    The Part 2 summative assessment consists of written, practical and oral summative assessments, and will include Chemical Pathology, Haematology, and Microbiology. It may also include Immunology.

    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. 
    		•

    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, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Forensic Pathology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Chemical Pathology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Science in Medicine, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Medicine, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Medical Clinical Sciences, 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.