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

Use Point of Care (POC) biomedical instrumentation systems and rapid testing kits for pathology or blood transfusion 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252392  Use Point of Care (POC) biomedical instrumentation systems and rapid testing kits for pathology or blood transfusion 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Phlebotomy Technicians 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Curative Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  11 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
114734  Use point of care biomedical Instrumentation systems/rapid testing kits for pathology or blood transfusion  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended for learners working within the medical field who have collected or received blood and non-blood specimens and are required to competently use point of care biomedical instrumentation and rapid test kits for testing specimens.

The knowledge and skills gained will enable the qualifying learner to fulfil a more meaningful role in the medical field, thus enhancing health care delivery in the country.

Knowledge and skills gained through competency in this unit standard will be beneficial for progression to related occupations in the medical field.

Learners credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of operation of the POC instruments and rapid test kits.
  • Perform routine maintenance and quality control on both POC instrumentation systems and rapid test kits.
  • Perform the required test. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Unit standard 114728: Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology relevant to medical pathology and blood transfusion at NQF Level 4.
  • Unit standard 114730: Comply with safety requirements in the medical pathology or blood transfusion fields at NQF Level 4.
  • Unit standard 114731: Demonstrate knowledge of medical ethical guidelines in the medical laboratory or blood transfusion fields at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The prescribed protocols referred to in this unit standard are the written instructions relating to specific tasks and procedures of the institution where the learner is currently employed.
  • The abbreviation POC refers to Point of Care. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of operation of the POC instruments and rapid test kits. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    POC instruments:
  • Haemaglobinometers and glucometers.

    Rapid test kits:
  • HIV, malaria, glucose, RPR, blood groups and Rh, urine dipsticks, pregnancy test and haemoglobin. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The POC instrument and rapid test kit for the specified test is identified and selected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principles of operation of the relevant instrument and test kit are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The readiness of the instrument and kit for use is determined as per manufacturer's instructions and prescribed protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Limitations of the instrument and/or kit are explained as per manufacturer's instructions and prescribed protocol. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Perform routine maintenance and quality control on both POC instrumentation systems and rapid test kits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Routine maintenance of POC instrument is performed and documented according to the workplace protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of quality control relevant to the instrument and kit being used is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Quality controls are run, documented and associated problems are reported according to the workplace protocol. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Perform the required test. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The quality of the specimen is assessed in relation to the requirements of the instrument or test kit and according to workplace protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The specimen is processed according to the safety requirements and prescribed protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Associated problems are identified and appropriate corrective actions are taken according to workplace protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Results are reported and documented according to prescribed protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Biomedical/hazardous waste is disposed of according to prescribed protocol and relevant legislation. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The use of the different POC instruments and rapid test kits as listed in the range.
  • The limitations of the above POC instruments and rapid test kits as indicated in the manufacturer's instructions/prescribed protocols.
  • The importance of quality control, how to run controls, document the results and report control results that are outside acceptable range.
  • Routine maintenance and associated problems of the POC instruments.
  • The prescribed protocols of the institution where they are currently employed. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when maintaining and performing quality control procedures on instrumentation and test kits. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively in the performance of the required tests. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information in order to use POC instrumentation and test kits. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others by ensuring that accurate readings are obtained from the POC instruments and rapid test kits. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 114734, " Use point of care biomedical Instrumentation systems/rapid testing kits for pathology or blood transfusion", Level 4, 6 credits.

    Learners using Point of Care (POC) biomedical instrumentation systems and rapid testing kits for pathology or blood transfusion must be registered with a relevant Statutory Health Council.

    Prescribed protocols may include the manufacturer's instructions. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  59345   Further Education and Training Certificate: Phlebotomy Techniques  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HPCSA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.