Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences
Health Sciences and Social Services - Preventive Health
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose: The qualification is intended to develop the academic skills, applied competence, values and attributes through student-centered learning to create practitioners with solid ethical principles and a desire for life-long education. It will enable successful learners to become technologically advanced medical laboratory scientists who are primarily employed in laboratory diagnostic services and who are able to successfully undertake research and implement innovative practices. The qualifying learner will be able to:
- Integrate laboratory tests with pathophysiological conditions in a chosen field of specialization in accordance with statutory and operational requirements.
- Critically evaluate current and new trends in technology to improve practices and solve problems in a variety of contexts.
- Conduct research in the field of medical laboratory sciences, in compliance with legislated and ethical research principles.
- Apply management and entrepreneurship skills in the context of medical laboratory sciences.
Rationale: There is a shortage in South Africa of highly skilled and suitably qualified medical laboratory scientists as a health care resource. This qualification has been structured to meet that need through the development of higher level competencies associated with a professional Degree at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8. The medical laboratory scientist plays an integral role in the healthcare of society. The health sector relies on the effective diagnosis and management of patient care, as well as the implementation and management of a legislative framework that protects people's rights to reliable and accurate healthcare services. Qualified medical laboratory scientists are specialized health professionals who provide vital information about a patient's state of health. Their input is necessary in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of disease. The analytical and diagnostic services provided by medical laboratory scientists require a strong scientific knowledge, as well as trained reasoning ability and empathy for humanity. The acquisition of advanced competencies is required by the sector to meet the legislative and operational requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The flexibility of a career path for medical laboratory scientists, both vertical and horizontal, is possible through personal growth and job advancement within and across the health sector. Therefore, the qualification provides for learners with operational competencies as well as management skills, including supervision, mentoring, and leadership. Successful completion of this qualification will enable the graduate to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (in the category: Independent Practice). The graduate will also meet the minimum entrance requirements for vertical articulation to a Masters in Health Sciences on NQF Level 9 of the higher education qualification sub-framework of South Africa.
Outcomes
- Analyse and interpret methods and techniques relevant to the field of specialisation, as well as the ability to apply such knowledge in the context of the research process in a field of specialisation in medical laboratory sciences.
- Select and apply the appropriate standard laboratory procedures and diagnostic techniques, as well as to demonstrate the ability to evaluate and interpret clinical laboratory results within a specialised field of Medical Laboratory Science Practice.
- Identify, analyse and evaluate current and new trends in technology to improve practices as well as to solve a variety of problems in the context of a medical laboratory science practice.
- Identify and address ethical and legal issues based on critical reflection upon the appropriateness of medical laboratory management, principles, concepts and requirements to ensure professional and ethical service delivery and good practice within medical laboratory sciences.
- Critically review information, gather and synthesis data, evaluate and manage processes offering creative insights and rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems in the field of specialisation in medical laboratory sciences.
- Present and communicate academic, professional or occupational ideas, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems effectively to a range of audiences as well as to various members in the multi-professional health care team appropriate to the field of specialisation in medical laboratory sciences.
- Apply management and entrepreneurial skills in the context of medical laboratory sciences based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
- Apply in a self-critical manner, learning strategies for personal professional and ongoing learning needs. Be answerable for own work, decision-making and use laboratory resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate within a field of specialisation in medical laboratory sciences.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Identify and explain knowledge, principles, and concepts in the field of specialization.
- Demonstrate and apply the relationship between principles and concepts in the field of specialization.
- Apply theoretical and practical knowledge for problem-solving in the working environment.
- Synthesize and evaluate information from various sources within context.
- Demonstrate learning strategies for self-directed continuous professional development through portfolios.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Select, perform, interpret, and integrate routine and specialized diagnostic techniques in a specific field.
- Evaluate laboratory results through correlation of data with principles, techniques, and instruments used.
- Recognize factors affecting procedures and test results and take appropriate action.
- Interpret laboratory results through correlation with physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
- Monitor equipment for efficient functioning and take appropriate action when necessary.
- Apply laboratory safety procedures and quality assurance throughout all operating procedures.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate constraints within a given laboratory relative to required services.
- Learn in-depth the use of new equipment for maximum efficiency.
- Recommend appropriate new techniques and methods based on methodological scientific principles.
- Analyze, recommend, with motivation, and apply new techniques and methods that have been written up or presented formally.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Comprehensively describe ethical principles and identification.
- Apply ethical behavior in the working environment when dealing with personal information and laboratory results.
- Demonstrate professional behavior and attitude in all professional and academic environments.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Identify and apply research needs, knowledge, and methods within the chosen specialization.
- Review applicable literature according to accepted scientific practices.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data using appropriate techniques.
- Evaluate research findings and formulate conclusions and recommendations based on sound theoretical and ethical principles.
- Produce and present a research report in accordance with institutional research guidelines.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Present scientific information verbally and/or in reports in a scientific/academic format.
- Correctly use scientific language and medical terminology to produce clear, concise documents.
- Apply referencing methods as prescribed by the institution.
- Scrutinize multiple sources of scientific information to produce a coherent debate.
- Use electronic media and medical terminology appropriately and maintain patient confidentiality.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Analyze and manage human, infrastructural, operational, and financial resources efficiently within legislated Acts.
- Develop, approve, and implement a business plan for a new medical laboratory service.
- Explain principles of entrepreneurship skills in terms of the proposed business model.
- Apply current relevant legislation within the proposed business plan.
- Align clinical interactions and related activities with institutional provisions and codes of ethics.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Demonstrate learning strategies for managing learning transfer through critical reflection reports and evidence-based materials.
- Demonstrate self-directed continuous professional development through portfolios and other evidence.
- Demonstrate strategies for achieving accountability in the learning environment through policies, portfolios, critical reflection reports, and evidence-based materials.
Integrated Assessment:
- Assess learners' ability to demonstrate applied knowledge and competence in authentic contexts.
- Utilize formative and summative assessment strategies throughout the qualification.
- Formative assessment methods may include tests, assignments, case studies, presentations, and simulations.
- Summative assessment methods may include examinations, supervisor reports, and Objective Simulated Clinical Evaluation Scenarios (OSCE's).
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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