SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Further Education and Training Certificate: Phlebotomy Techniques 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48732  Further Education and Training Certificate: Phlebotomy Techniques 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Phlebotomy Technicians 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was HPCSA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  134  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 SAQA 0855/04  2004-08-11  2007-08-11 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-08-11   2011-08-11  

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 qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
59345  Further Education and Training Certificate: Phlebotomy Techniques  Level 4  NQF Level 04  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of this qualification is to enable a qualified learner to be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Phlebotomy Technician.

Registered Phlebotomy Technicians will be equipped, through knowledge and skills gained, to safely collect blood and other human tissue samples for medical pathology or blood transfusion purposes. These skills will also contribute to the full personal development of each learner.


Rationale:

The FET Certificate for Phlebotomy Technicians has been designed to meet the phlebotomy needs of the pathology and blood transfusion sectors of the medical health field as well as the needs of those learners who desire to make the collection of these human tissue samples their chosen career path.

Phlebotomy services are required by the pathology and blood transfusion sectors to obtain blood and other human tissue samples for analysis in order to aid in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease.
The increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other related diseases has resulted in an increased need for phlebotomy services. However, there has been a lack of standardized phlebotomy training, formal proficiency training and no nationally recognized certification available.

This qualification will address these concerns whilst providing the qualifying learner with the flexibility to pursue a career in the medical health field. It will also contribute to the social and economic transformation, job creation and the introduction of this service to areas where it has not previously been available. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners wishing to study towards this qualification are assumed to have:
  • Mathematical literacy at or equivalent to NQF level 3
  • 1st language at or equivalent to NQF level 3
  • 2nd language at or equivalent to NQF level 2

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is possible if the learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification. RPL may allow for accelerated access to further learning and/or gaining of credits towards a unit standard.

    All RPL is subject to quality assurance by the Education, Training Quality, Assurance Body for this qualification - the Health Professionals Council of South Africa, and is to be conducted by an accredited workplace assessor. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Qualification consists of a Fundamental, a Core and an Elective Component.

    To be awarded the Qualification, learners are required to obtain a minimum of 134 credits as detailed below.

    Fundamental Component:

    The Fundamental Component consists of Unit Standards in:
  • Mathematical Literacy at Level 4 to the value of 16 credits.
  • Communication at Level 4 in a First South African Language to the value of 20 credits.
  • Communication in a Second South African Language at Level 3 to the value of 20 credits.

    It is compulsory therefore for learners to do Communication in two different South African languages, one at Level 4 and the other at Level 3.

    All Unit Standards in the Fundamental Component are compulsory.

    Core Component:

    The Core Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 69 credits all of which are compulsory.

    Elective Component:

    The Elective Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 20 credits. Learners are to choose Unit Standards to the minimum of 9 credits, 4 of which must be at level 4. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate with individuals and communities in a variety of ways.

    2. Interact professionally with patients / clients.

    3. Work effectively with others as a member of a team.

    4. Collect samples of medical pathology or blood transfusion. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • Communication with individuals and groups is clear, understandable and effective.

    2.
  • Knowledge of medical ethical guidelines, patient's rights and professional rules are applied.
  • Customer's needs, expectations and areas of dissatisfaction are addressed.
  • Information is correctly retrieved by using an existing computer database.
  • A safe working environment is maintained and an appropriate reaction in the event of an accident is taken.

    3.
  • Knowledge, relevant to phlebotomy, of anatomy and physiology is applied and the correct medical terminology is used orally and in writing while working in the medical pathology or blood transfusion environment.
  • Patients / clients are supported and assistance is given to health professionals performing medical pathology or blood transfusion procedures.
  • Knowledge of blood transfusion regulations, blood products and donor selection requirements is applied.

    4.
  • The transmission and effects of HIV/AIDS known and this knowledge is shared with patients / clients in order to enable them to make an informed decision about HIV testing.
  • Blood, body fluid, tissue and excretion samples are safely collected and appropriately prepared for storage or transportation to a processing facility.
  • Patients are accurately informed about the procedure for the self-collection of a body fluid, tissue or excretion sample and self-collected samples are evaluated for suitability for analysis.
  • Specialised phlebotomy procedures (Range: tolerance tests, blood cultures, bleeding time, TB skin prick test) are safely and accurately performed and skin reactions are read and reported where applicable.


    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged.
    The focus of assessment must be on the assessment of the learning outcomes and should include both summative and formative assessment.

    Formative assessment should be done through:
  • Observations
  • Questioning - written and oral
  • Work plans
  • Simulations
  • Role play
  • Case studies/assignments
  • Demonstrations
  • Research
  • Other acceptable methods.

    Assessment should be done at regular intervals as well as at the end of the periods of study. It must be offered in an integrated way and theoretical and practical components should, where possible, be assessed together. Learners should be required to demonstrate that they could perform the outcomes with understanding and insight.

    It is envisaged that learners will work at more than one unit standard at a time.

    Assessment should also ensure that all specific outcomes, embedded knowledge and critical cross-field outcomes are evaluated.

    The learner should produce sufficient evidence of achieving each specific outcome of each unit standard. This evidence should initially be assessed for competence by the educator/facilitator.

    The learner is to provide additional evidence for specific outcomes in cases where competence could not be demonstrated, such as the completion of case studies or workbooks. This evidence is to be incorporated into the portfolio and must serve as evidence of achievement of specific outcomes.

    Before the Further Education and Training Certificate for Phlebotomy Technicians is awarded, learners are required to demonstrate competence in the required unit standards and complete a summative assessment based on the exit outcomes of the qualification. Summative assessment will take the form of written or oral examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared to similar qualifications in Australia, the United States of America and the United Kingdom and a substantial degree of similarity was found. International comparability could therefore be found to support this qualification. However, certain unit standards have been included in this qualification to meet the specific needs of phlebotomy in South Africa and it is envisaged that this qualification would be applicable in any developing country especially in the SADC region. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    On successful completion of this qualification learners may pursue careers in the following:
  • Medical Laboratory Technicians
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Nursing
  • Allied health disciplines 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this qualification, must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA) i.e. the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the HPCSA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA i.e. the HPCSA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQAs and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed immediately below.
  • 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. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors need experience in the following areas:
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Subject matter and
  • Assessment

    The assessor needs to be competent in the planning and conducting of assessment of learning outcomes and in the design and development of assessments as described in the unit standards 'Plan and conduct assessment of learning outcomes NQF level 4'. Subject matter experience must be well developed.

    The assessor must have completed:
  • A similar qualification at the level with a minimum of 2 years field experience after he/she has completed the qualification or,
  • The subject matter experience of the assessor can be established by recognition of prior learning.
  • Assessors need to be registered with the relevant Education and Training Assurance Body. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification 59345, which is "Further Education and Training Certificate: Phlebotomy Techniques", Level 4, 120 credits.

    For Unit Standard 'Care for customers' the outcome range for Specific Outcome 3 is not applicable to phlebotomy. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  13915  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS in a workplace, and its effects on a business sub-sector, own organisation and a specific workplace  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  7576  Demonstrate the ability to use a database for business purposes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Core  114731  Adhere to medical ethical guidelines while working in the medical laboratory or blood transfusion fields  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  114728  Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology relevant to phlebotomy  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  114732  Assist with medical pathology or blood transfusion procedures  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  8600  Care for Customers  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
    Core  114726  Collect blood for medical pathology or blood transfusion  Level 4  NQF Level 04  15 
    Core  114739  Collect body fluids, tissue and excretion samples for medical pathology analysis  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
    Core  114730  Comply with safety requirements in the medical pathology or blood transfusion fields  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  114725  Perform specialized phlebotomy procedures  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  114729  Provide HIV pre-test information and support  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
    Core  114727  Work in a blood donor clinic  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9015  Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  8975  Read analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  9016  Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8979  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  7468  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  8976  Write for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  7567  Produce and use spreadsheets for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  7570  Produce word processing documents for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  114724  Collect arterial blood samples  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  114734  Use point of care biomedical Instrumentation systems/rapid testing kits for pathology or blood transfusion  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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.