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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Advanced Diploma: Nuclear Medicine Radiography 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
62929  Advanced Diploma: Nuclear Medicine Radiography 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 7  Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2018-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31   2023-12-31  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The express purpose of this qualification is to allow qualified radiographers to focus on nuclear medicine as field of specialization.

On successful completion of the qualification the learner will be able to work in Clinical Nuclear Medicine in both private and government institutions. This will include the clinical service, research and research assistance as well as training in this field. Candidates can become involved in marketing of Nuclear Medicine instrumentation and other products in this field.

Rationale:

At present there is no specific specialised training for Radiographers in Nuclear Medicine. The facilities and human resources exist at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of the Free State to do such training. There is an increasing need for Nuclear Medicine radiographers in the country.

The mission of the University of the Free State is currently focusing on the establishment of new, innovative programmes, which can contribute to the financial sustainability of the institution. This new programme will not only contribute to the financial sustainability of the University, but will also empower people and communities to enhance health and to increase their welfare.

On a regular basis, enquiries take place from Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London for locums.

Entrance for students from the African Continent with equivalent entry qualifications is also envisaged. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Diploma in Radiography plus one year in-service training.
  • Bachelor's degree in Radiography.
  • Equivalent in Radiography.
  • Competence to use diagnostic radiographic examinations to confirm diseases.
  • Computer literacy.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    RPL is applicable as stated under item 4, only when clear proof of experience and learning in the field of Radiography is evident.

    Access to the Qualification:
  • Diploma in Radiography plus one year in-service training.

    OR
  • A Bachelor's degree in Radiography.

    OR
  • Equivalent in Radiography which will be assessed via the usual UFS RPL policy. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Level, credits and learning components assigned to the Qualification:
  • NQF Level 7.
  • 180 credits.
  • 1800 Notional hours.
  • 1 Year: 90 credits.
  • 2 Years: 90 credits.
  • Total Credits: 180 credits.

    Full time plus in-service training during that period.

    Core learning makes up 100% of the credits, as further specialization via electives is not viable at the moment. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The planned combination of learning outcomes is integrated with critical cross-field outcomes for this qualification:

    Practical Competency:

    On completion of the learning programme, the learner will be able to demonstrate the ability/skill to achieve the major skills/applied competency of the qualification, namely principles and methods of Nuclear Medicine. These imply that a learner is able to perform any nuclear medicine examination in vitro and in vivo, and to function safely in a laboratory where radio-active materials are used.

    Foundational Competency:

    The demonstrated understanding by the learner of the embedded knowledge that underpins the end result/outcome, i.e. diagnostic and therapeutic service in Nuclear Medicine. These imply effectively working with patients, acting responsibly when working with radio-activity and rendering effective service to the public.

    Reflective Competency:

    The demonstrated ability/skill to integrate or connect the performances and to reflect on, evaluate and adopt the above competencies.

    Application of Nuclear Medicine procedures, assessing images, scanning of patients before, during and after Nuclear Medicine procedures. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Learners will demonstrate their competency by keeping a log book which contains information on practical studies, practical tests, tests results and critical incidents in their training, assessed against set standards of the Professional Board.

    Assessment criteria are inter alia that a learner is able to successfully perform all Nuclear Medicine procedures via a case study.

    Integrated assessment:
  • Competence is assessed, through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to achieve the outcomes of the qualification:
    > Module course mark.
    > Workplace assessment.
    > Assignments.
    > Oral and group work.
    > Case study log book.
    > Summative assessments are case studies, assignments, practical pattern recognition, practical patient evaluation and written examinations.
  • This will be supported by a module credit system, followed by a final exam on the modules for which credit was not obtained.
  • Assessments are:
    > To include confirmation of the embedded knowledge component to ensure that the Foundational Competency is achieved.
    > To be verified by Internal Verifiers to ensure valid, credible, true and fair results.
  • Criteria for the registration of assessors:
    > The academic staff of the University of the Free State complies with standards set by Senate and will exercise their assessment within the approved quality assurance system of the University. Assessors will also meet all criteria as stipulated by the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessors are:
    > Subject matter specialists.
    > Registered with the awarding body.
    > Accredited by the awarding body after achieving competency against Unit Standards of competence for Assessors.
    > To be administrated, advised and coached by an Interval Verifier. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is in line with qualifications offered in developed countries.

    In the case of South African qualifications, international registration will only take place if the respective country's regulations are complied with. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification will enable Radiographers to become professional Nuclear Medicine Radiographers. At this level they will be specialists in the specific field.

    They will not be able to articulate to the Masters or the PhD Degree. The reason is that this field is highly occupation specific and not a clear academic route. Since the qualification requires theoretical physics as well as clinical medicine education this has to be presented within the team of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine.

    Although no clear vertical articulation is possible, qualified nuclear medicine radiographers are in demand as medical representatives or in any field where knowledge of radio-activity is essential. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment documents are moderated to ensure that:
    > They conform to the scope and context of the competency stipulated in the qualification.
    > They are constructed in such a way that the Assessor assesses the critical outcomes applied, during the learners activity performances, towards achieving an outcome.
  • A system of external peer review and evaluation of departments including evaluation of the standards and assessment practices per Department.
  • Qualifications: The minimum academic and workplace experience requirements at a level above the level of moderation.
  • Appropriate professional criteria will be drafted in the case of workplace assessment.
  • Mentorship: Senior members mentor all junior and new members of staff as they work together in teams. All assessments done by external assessors are quality controlled by internal staff.
  • Any moderation criteria as determined by the ETQA. 
    		•

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

    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 the Free State 


    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.