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

Collect non-blood specimens for medical pathology analysis 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252399  Collect non-blood specimens for medical pathology analysis 
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  6 
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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended for learners who are working within the medical field and are required to receive, collect, or instruct patients in the self-collection of samples for medical pathology analysis.

Quality samples yield accurate results, which in turn enhance health care delivery in the country.

The range of collections includes urine, stool, sputum, semen, nail clippings and filings, hair and pus swabs, but exclude the collection of aspirates, tissue for histology, PAP smears and environmental swabs and swabs requiring specialised knowledge and/or skills e.g. urethral, vaginal and nasopharyngeal swabs.

Learners credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Comply with pre-collection requirements.
  • Collect the specimen.
  • Instruct the patient in the self-collection of required specimen/s.
  • Assess the suitability of a specimen collected by the patient. 
    		•

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A professional and ethical manner is demonstrated at all times. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The patient is identified in accordance with the workplace protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Informed consent for the collection of the specimen is obtained according to workplace protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Patient demographics and clinical data is obtained and recorded according to the workplace protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Pre-collection constraints pertaining to the required specimen are assessed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pre-collection constraints include but are not limited to:
  • Fasting/dietary requirements pertaining to the test requested, the specific time the specimen must be collected, sexual abstinence where applicable.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Equipment in relation to the required specimen is selected and prepared. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Chemicals are added to containers according to workplace protocol, where applicable. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Collect the specimen. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Specimen is collected from an appropriate site according to workplace protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Aseptic technique is evident in the collection of the specimen/s. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Specimen/s are labelled, documented and packaged according to the workplace protocol. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Instruct the patient in the self-collection of the required specimen/s. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pre-collection requirements are explained and there is evidence that the patient understands. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pre-collection requirements include:
  • Fasting/dietary requirements, patient medication which may influence test result, specific collection time requirements, sexual abstinence where applicable.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Specimen collection instructions are given and there is evidence that the patient understands. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment is selected and prepared and safety precautions pertaining to any chemicals present in the container are explained according to workplace protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Post collection requirements are explained and there is evidence that the patient understands. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Post collection requirements include but are not limited to:
  • Specimen labelling and documentation requirements, time constraints between the collection of the specimen and delivery, temperature constraints before and during delivery, laboratory contact details should patient require further assistance/information.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Assess the suitability of a specimen collected by the patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pre-collection constraints pertaining to the specimen are assessed through questioning the patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The specimen is assessed through visual observation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Contents of container, quantity of specimen, suitability of container used.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Specimen is labelled, documented and packaged according to workplace 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 relevance of pre-collection, collection and post-collection requirements in relation to the test requested. 

    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 regarding the quality of specimens collected for analysis. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community to ensure that the rationale and procedures pertaining to specimen collection are understood. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively to ensure that the specimen collection procedure is carried out correctly. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to ensure that a suitable specimen is collected and sent for analysis. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation to obtain consent, advise on the procedure for specimen self-collection. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others to ensure that collecting specimens is performed accurately. 

    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 
    Learners collecting non-blood specimens 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
    Core  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.