Bachelor of Health Sciences in Clinical Technology
Health Sciences and Social Services - Promotive Health and Developmental Services
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Technology is a professional qualification designed to develop a competent professional with knowledge and skills required for clinical science, and experience in applying such knowledge and skills in the appropriate work environment. Completion of the qualification will enable the learner to be registered as a Clinical Technologist with the HPCSA in one or more of the following categories: Nephrology, Neurophysiology, Perfusion, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Reproductive Biology, and Critical Care. The qualification will enable a learner to develop into a competent professional who can conduct, amongst others, clinical technology practices at the forefront of a single field of specialization, relevant research, management of related teams, and quality assurance. Knowledge of fundamental fields of study in sciences, such as Anatomy and Physiology as well as fields of study in clinical sciences, such as but not limited to:
- Clinical technology instrumentation,
- Clinical technology practice, and
- Pathophysiology. This knowledge will inevitably play a crucial role in the upliftment of clinical skills and standards, regionally and nationally, and to provide in the need for healthcare services at large. Graduates will also be able to take full responsibility for their work, decision-making, and the utilization of resources, as well as full accountability for the decisions and actions of others. Graduates from this qualification will be eligible to progress vertically to a Master of Health Sciences as the first post-initial qualification and a doctoral in the cognate field of study as the second post-initial qualification. Graduates may also articulate to a master in other or related fields for the purpose of career change.
Rationale:
The Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Technology replaces the National Diploma in Clinical Technology and the Baccalaureus Technologiae in Clinical Technology. This comes as a result of the National Department of Health's request for the offering of four-year professional Bachelor's Degrees for all health care professionals. The requirements from the National Department of Health's policy are aligned with the NQF and HEQSF. It is in response to these national imperatives from the Department of Health that the Professional Board for Radiography and Clinical Technology at the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) reviewed the healthcare qualifications with a view to ensure compliance with the latest national requirements. The qualification is aligned with the needs of the industry and envisages educating and training technologists with high levels of technology and with the ability to develop strategies towards innovation and engagement. Currently, there is a great demand for highly skilled and suitably qualified Clinical Technologists as a healthcare resource. The qualification is structured to meet this need through the development of higher-level competencies associated with this Professional Degree at NQF Level 8. As mentioned earlier, the acquisition of advanced competencies is required by the healthcare sector to meet the legislative and operational requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The flexibility of career steering for Clinical Technologists, both vertically and horizontally, is possible through personal growth and job advancement within and across the health sector.
Clinical Technology is a scarce skills profession in South Africa (SA). Given the need for, and the scarcity of professionally qualified Clinical Technologists in South Africa, the qualification will play a crucial role in the upliftment of standards in the field of Clinical Technology in the country. Learners of the current qualification - National Diploma: Clinical Technology and the Baccalaureus Technologiae: Clinical Technology - boast a 95% employment rate, partially due to the national need for Clinical Technologists. The Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Technology qualification is envisaged to continue to address this need well into the foreseeable future.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge and engagement at the forefront of fields of study in fundamental learning relevant to health sciences, core learning in the field of Clinical technology and elective learning in fields of specialization.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the field of clinical technology and apply such knowledge.
- Interrogate, evaluate and process multiple sources of knowledge in an area of specialisation.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of selecting, applying or transferring appropriate standard procedures, processes or techniques to diverse and/or unfamiliar range of problems in a field of specialisation.
- Use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to the field of specialisation.
- Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems within specific clinical contexts.
- Critically review related clinical information, gather and synthesis data, evaluate and manage clinical processes in specialised contexts, and develop creative responses to clinical problems and issues.
- Present and communicate research findings, academic and professional ideas to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to clinical problems and issues.
- Operate effectively and independently within a clinical setting, taking full responsibility for own work, decision making, management and use of resources.
- Take full accountability for decisions and actions of subordinates in appropriate clinical settings.
- Apply, in a self-critical manner, learning strategies which effectively address his or her professional and ongoing clinical learning needs and that of others.
Assessment Criteria
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The Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes: Explain, discuss, evaluate, analyse, compare, create, construct, and produce knowledge and engagement at the forefront in the fields listed, amongst others:
- Anatomy.
- Physiology.
- Chemistry.
- Physics.
- Health care and Ethics.
- CT practice.
- CT instrumentation.
- Pathophysiology.
- Pharmacology.
- Research methodology.
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Demonstrate appropriate skills and applied competencies, based on and informed by the theories, research methodologies, methods, and techniques relevant to the field of specialization, are conducted in various clinical settings.
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Interrogate, evaluate, and process multiple sources of knowledge in one of the following fields of study:
- Cardiology.
- Perfusion.
- Critical care.
- Nephrology.
- Neurophysiology.
- Pulmonology.
- Reproductive Biology.
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Select, apply, and modify standard procedures, such as diagnostic, therapeutic, and corrective practices as needed.
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Utilize a range of specialized skills to identify and solve complex and/or abstract problems independently within unfamiliar and abstract clinical settings.
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Acquire and demonstrate a body of knowledge, skills, and applied competencies systematically in addressing complex clinical conditions.
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Identify and address clinical issues within specific clinical contexts involving matters such as, but not limited to:
- Conciseness.
- Protection of rights.
- Safety.
- Wellbeing of participants.
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Demonstrate knowledge of and engagement at the forefront of a field of specialization in Clinical Technology with the purpose to critically review information relevant to clinical problems in unfamiliar and abstract clinical settings.
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Demonstrate research skills in a specific field in Clinical Technology in a multidisciplinary health care setting in specialized contexts.
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Conduct creative and conceptualized research initiatives as responses to abstract and real clinical problems within unfamiliar clinical contexts.
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Manage research appropriately and ethically in an independent and accountable way.
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Present and communicate the research findings, interpretations, and new professional ideas to a variety of audiences and sources.
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Manage clinical settings effectively, independently with full accountability, typically in terms of matters such as:
- Planning.
- Business management.
- Financial management.
- Public relations.
- Human resources management.
- Clinical systems operation and management.
- Clinical resource allocation and policy making.
- Related legislation and regulations.
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Demonstrate full accountability for subordinates in terms of all actions and decision-making in a variety of clinical settings.
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Demonstrate an awareness of life-long learning in terms of his/her training needs and the needs of peers and subordinates.
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Demonstrate the design and application of teaching and learning strategies in line with the needs of him/herself and others.
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Evaluate and reflect upon continuous training and professional development critically.
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Integrated Assessment: A combination of integrated assessment strategies, which will combine both formative and summative assessment and evaluation, will be used to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. Assessments may include, but are not limited to, the following strategies:
- Portfolios of evidence.
- Practical experience work-place assessments.
- Written and oral assessments and examinations.
- Written assignments.
- Case studies.
- Self-assessment strategies and peer-group assessment.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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