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

Perform specialized phlebotomy procedures 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252394  Perform specialized phlebotomy procedures 
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  4 
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
114725  Perform specialized phlebotomy procedures  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended for learners who are performing routine phlebotomy tasks in the medical pathology field and require the additional knowledge and skill necessary to perform specialized phlebotomy procedures that deviate from routine blood collection. These procedures apply to both timed and non-timed specimens. Examples of these specialized tests include tolerance tests such as Glucose, Lactose and specimens for blood culture. Examples of dermal puncture include bleeding time and TB skin testing.

This unit standard excludes the administration of intramuscular or intravenous drugs that may be required during the test procedures. However, it includes the administration of intradermal Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) for the purpose of TB skin testing and the oral administration of glucose or lactose for the purpose of Tolerance testing. The dose of the PPD, glucose and lactose must be clearly stated in the written prescribed protocol of the organisation.

Qualifying learners will be empowered through knowledge, skills and attitude to fulfil a more meaningful role in the phlebotomy field, thereby enhancing health care delivery in the country. The knowledge and skills gained will also be beneficial to self - advancement within the medical field.

Learners credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Perform tolerance tests.
  • Collect samples for blood culture.
  • Perform a bleeding time test.
  • Perform TB skin prick testing. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Unit Standard 252396: Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology relevant to medical pathology and blood transfusion at NQF Level 4.
  • Unit Standard 252401: Comply with safety requirements in the medical pathology or blood transfusion fields at NQF Level 4.
  • Unit Standard 252402: Demonstrate knowledge of medical ethical guidelines in the medical laboratory or blood transfusion fields at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Perform tolerance tests. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Oral glucose or lactose tolerance tests. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The pre-test fasting requirements as indicated in the prescribed protocol are understood and applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The criteria to be met before giving the patient glucose or lactose are known and applied according to prescribed protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Specimens are drawn at predetermined intervals as stipulated by workplace protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Possible adverse reactions and the appropriate action to take regarding the ingestion of glucose or lactose are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The tolerance test is performed, specimens labelled and documented according to the prescribed protocol. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Collect samples for blood culture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Knowledge of the relevance of documenting antimicrobial therapy is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is selected and prepared to collect specimens. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Strict aseptic technique is applied during the collection of blood for culture. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Surgically clean hand washing technique; skin preparation technique; correct use of sterile equipment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The collection bottles are filled, labelled, documented and prepared for transit to processing facilities according to the prescribed protocol. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Perform a bleeding time test. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Knowledge of the coagulation process relevant to a bleeding time test is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Technique errors and how they relate to the bleeding time result are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Suitable sites for performing a bleeding time are identified and knowledge of contra-indications when choosing a site are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Examples of contra-indications include but are not limited to oedematous sites, superficial veins, scar tissue, infected areas, IV infusion sites.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A bleeding time is performed and documented according to the prescribed protocol. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform TB skin prick testing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The rationale for the TB skin test is understood and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The possible contra-indications and side effects are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A suitable site to perform the test is identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The PPD is introduced into the skin according to the prescribed protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The skin reaction is read and recorded according to the prescribed protocol. 


    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 cause of TB and how the disease is spread.
  • The correct administration of an intradermal injection. 
    		•

    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 adverse reactions and contra-indications become apparent. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community to ensure that pre-test requirements have been adhered to. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively by making sure the aseptic technique is used and that the specialised phlebotomy procedures are performed according to relevant protocols. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information given by the patient/prior to the test. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation to ensure that the necessary information is obtained and that the patient/is fully aware about the type of test that is going to be performed. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others by ensuring that the equipment to collect specimens are used appropriately. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation by engaging with adverse reactions and contra-indications appropriately. 

    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 114725, "Perform specialized phlebotomy procedures", Level 4, 4 credits.

    Learners performing specialized phlebotomy procedures must be registered with a relevant Statutory Health Council. 

    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.