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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Diploma: Biomedical Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72717  National Diploma: Biomedical Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Diploma  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  360  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 10105/14  2015-07-01  2016-10-20 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2017-10-20   2021-10-20  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
1895  National Diploma: Biomedical Technology  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  360  Complete 

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
101142  Diploma in Biomedical Technology  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The qualifying learner will be able to perform and organize laboratory operations in clinical diagnostic laboratories and related fields in compliance with statutory requirements for ethics, safety and quality assurance. Supervisory, management and research skills are developed.

Individuals who want to become registered Medical Technologists will work in a registered Medical training laboratory. After registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), they may work in government, private and research health care laboratories. To practice independently as a Medical Technologist 2 years post-registration experience is required. Unregistered Biomedical Technologists may work in non-diagnostic laboratories. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
At least 240 credits from the Diploma in Biomedical Technology or equivalent at NQF level 5. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The qualification will be awarded to a learner who has provided evidence to the satisfaction of the assessors that the stated competence of the qualification, as detailed in the specified outcomes, has been achieved, either through education and training in a single provider`s learning programme, or by a combination of formal and informal learning, and work experience. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. * Select and perform routine and specialized clinical diagnostic techniques in specified disciplines in accordance with statutory requirements through application of knowledge of principles of techniques and instruments, physiological and pathophysiological conditions (Haematology, Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, Cellular Pathology) in the place of study, workplace or both.

2. * Perform and monitor Quality Assurance procedures within predetermined limits.
Footnote : Underpinned by ethics, safety and communication
* The learners are competent to** SOPs - Standard Operating Procedures

3. * Manage resources efficiently and effectively.


Footnote : Underpinned by ethics, safety and communication
* The learners are competent to** SOPs - Standard Operating Procedures
4. * Participate in research in Medical Technology in compliance with ethical research principles.

Footnote : Underpinned by ethics, safety and communication

Critical Outcomes

1 Critical and creative thinking are addressed by all outcomes of this qualification, particularly with regard to assessing literature, evaluating methodology, interpreting results, managing new challenges and applying skills previously learned and now further developed to workplace functioning in biomedical industries, laboratories and organizations

2 Working effectively individually, as a team or group, and as an organization is addressed by the specified outcomes of exit level outcomes 3 and 4. Effective functioning in the workplace is fundamental to this qualification

3 Organization and management are needed for the planning, executing and reporting on tasks

4 Effective oral and written communication at formal and informal levels are required to achieve this qualification

5 Responsibility toward the environment and health of others is addressed by application of safety procedures, adherence to codes of ethics and consideration of legislation, norms, cultures and traditions encountered in various biomedical organizations

6 Experiential learning is integrated into all exit level outcomes. This enables the maturation of the learner to occur in a real life work situation and contextualises the outcomes realistically and holistically

7 The learner encounters a wide spectrum of colleagues with whom to interact during the experiential learning, and encounters sufficient experience to identify possible entrepreneurial avenues to pursue

8 Learners are able to be employed as technologists in a variety of placements in the biomedical field, contributing to economic development of the community

1.1 * Perform routine and specialized tests of body fluids, tissues and other substances through application of skills and knowledge in specified disciplines.(C) (40 Credits) (NQF 6)
*Critically evaluate and interpret results through application of knowledge of principles, techniques and pathophysiological conditions.(C)) (40 Credits) (NQF 6)
2.1 * Apply principles and concepts of Quality Assurance in the laboratory.(C) (5 Credits) (NQF 6)
Footnote : Underpinned by ethics, safety and communication
* The learners are competent to** SOPs - Standard Operating Procedures
2.2 * Monitor established Quality Assurance procedures in the laboratory.(C) (5 Credits) (NQF 6)
3.1 * Apply the theory of financial management within budgetary constraints.(C) (3 Credits) (NQF 6)
3.2 * Apply the principles of human resource management within policy frameworks.(C) (7 Credits) (NQF 6)
3.3 * Apply the principles of managing physical resources cost-efficiently.(C) (5 Credits) (NQF 6)
Footnote : Underpinned by ethics, safety and communication
* The learners are competent to** SOPs - Standard Operating Procedures
4.1 * Identify and investigate trends in clinical diagnostic laboratory medicine.(C) (10 Credits) (NQF 6)
4.2 * Apply Information Technology.(C) (5 Credits) (NQF 6)
Footnote : Underpinned by ethics, safety and communication 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
1.1. Specimens are assessed for suitability for tests requested
* Routine and specified specialized media, stains, solutions and reagents are prepared according to SOPs
* Specimens are analyzed using appropriate SOPs and Quality Control procedures.. .
* Principles, methods and application of different SOPs are correctly described

1.2. Results are recorded and compared with established reference ranges and / or appropriate control specimens.
* Accurate data capturing and retrieval skills are demonstrated electronically and manually
* Laboratory results are evaluated through correlation of data in the context of the principles, techniques and instruments used
* Factors that affect procedures and test results are recognized and appropriate action taken
* Laboratory results are evaluated through correlation of data with physiological and pathological conditions

2.1. Principles of Quality Assurance are explained and applied in the context of the tests performed
* Quality Control results and Quality Assurance data are evaluated and interpreted and appropriate action is taken
* SOPs are assessed, reviewed and updated where necessary
2.2. Instruments are monitored for efficient functioning and appropriate action is taken when necessary
* Corrective and preventive maintenance of equipment is performed

3.1. An appropriate budget for the laboratory is drawn up and explained and implemented
3.2. Appropriate legislation is explained and implemented
* Appropriate training programmes for staff and Continuing Professional Development programmes are developed and implemented
* Selection, recruitment and interview techniques are demonstrated

3.3. Mechanisms for stock control are applied
* Economic viability of instruments and methods are evaluated
* Effective utilization of laboratory space is demonstrated taking into account physical constraints, safety, personnel equipment and the provision of service

4.1. Changes in methodology and disease profiles in clinical diagnostic laboratories are identified and investigated
* Appropriate information is selected from relevant sources
* Information is collated, analysed, synthesized and presented in a coherent and scientific manner including statistical and graphical methods
4.2. Information is accessed, organized and presented using appropriate Information Technology

Integrated assessment:

Workplace evaluation by peers and supervisors
Assignments
Written tests
Work schedule evaluations
Projects in teams
Reports on tasks and projects

Summative assessment:
Workplace evaluation by supervisors
Project reports
Oral presentations
Interviews
Written and practical examinations 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Vertical articulation to the B.Tech. : Biomedical Technology or to other related B.Tech. degrees or to related Honours degrees in Biomedical Technology disciplines. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
SERTEC (currently). 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
SERTEC (currently). 

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

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Vaal University of Technology 


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.