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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
114725  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 "Registered" 		 2004-08-11  2007-08-11  SAQA 0855/04 
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 unit standard is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
252394  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 venepuncture and dermal puncture specialized procedures. Examples of venepuncture include tolerance tests such as Glucose, Lactose and Xylose Tolerance Tests, samples for blood culture. Examples of dermal puncture include bleeding time, 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 organization.

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 and economic transformation. The knowledge and skills gained will also be beneficial to self - advancement within the medical field.

Qualifying learners will be able to
  • Identify correctly patients/clients and accurately inform them, and their guardians in the case of minors, about the procedure and the possible side effects
  • Select and prepare the required equipment
  • Safely perform the special phlebotomy test, using strict aseptic technique
  • Read and report skin reactions where applicable
  • Prepare samples appropriately for storage or transit to processing facilities 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this unit standard will have demonstrated competency in:
  • Language and communication skills at or equivalent to NQF level 3
  • Mathematics equivalent to NQF level 3
  • Unit standard ID 7576: Demonstrate the ability to use a database for business purposes - NQF level 3 or equivalent
  • Unit standard entitled: Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology relevant to phlebotomy - NQF level 4 or equivalent
  • Unit standard entitled: Comply with safety requirements in the medical pathology or blood transfusion fields - NQF level 4 or equivalent
  • Unit standard entitled: Care for the customer - NQF level 3 or equivalent (Special note: The outcome range for Specific Outcome 3 is not applicable to phlebotomy.)
  • Unit standard entitled: Adhere to medical ethical guidelines while working in the medical laboratory or blood transfusion fields - NQF level 4 or equivalent 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The prescribed protocols referred to in this unit standard are the written instructions relating to specific tasks and procedures of the institution where the learner is currently employed. These instructions are studied and understood by the learner. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

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

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Knowledge of the intervals at which samples must be drawn is demonstrated orally or in writing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Any possible adverse reactions, and the appropriate action to take, regarding the ingestion of the glucose, lactose or xylose are demonstrated orally or in writing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The tolerance test is safely performed, samples 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 antibiotic therapy is demonstrated orally or in writing 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is selected and prepared for use 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Strict aseptic technique is adhered to 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 and manufacturer's instructions 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Perform a bleeding time test. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An understanding of the coagulation process relevant to a bleeding time test is demonstrated orally or in writing 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Technique errors and how they relate to the bleeding time result are explained orally or in writing 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Suitable sites for performing a bleeding time are identified and knowledge of contra-indications when choosing a site are understood and 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 safely performed and documented according to the prescribed protocol 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform TB skin prick testing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Knowledge of the possible contra-indications and side effects is demonstrated orally or in writing 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A suitable site is identified 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The allergen is safely introduced into the skin according to the prescribed protocol and manufacturers instructions 

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


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider by the relevant ETQA
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Learners can understand and explain:
  • The coagulation process relevant to the performance of a bleeding time
  • The cause of TB and how the disease is spread
  • The correct administration of an intradermal injection
  • The reading of the skin's reaction to the PPD allergen
  • Collection instructions and sample requirements for special phlebotomy procedures as indicated in the prescribed protocols
  • The specific aseptic technique used in the collection of samples for blood culture 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
  • Perform tolerance tests
  • Collect samples for blood culture
  • Perform a bleeding time
  • Perform TB skin testing 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
  • Perform tolerance tests
  • Collect samples for blood culture
  • Perform a bleeding time
  • Perform TB skin testing 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
  • Perform tolerance tests
  • Collect samples for blood culture
  • Perform a bleeding time
  • Perform TB skin testing 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
  • Perform tolerance tests
  • Collect samples for blood culture
  • Perform a bleeding time
  • Perform TB skin testing 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
  • Perform tolerance tests
  • Collect samples for blood culture
  • Perform a bleeding time
  • Perform TB skin testing 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
  • Perform tolerance tests
  • Collect samples for blood culture
  • Perform a bleeding time
  • Perform TB skin testing 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
  • Perform tolerance tests
  • Collect samples for blood culture
  • Perform a bleeding time
  • Perform TB skin testing 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
  • Perform tolerance tests
  • Collect samples for blood culture
  • Perform a bleeding time
  • Perform TB skin testing 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 252394, which is "Perform specialized phlebotomy procedures", Level 4, 4 credits.

    Entry requirements:
  • Learners collecting blood samples 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  48732   Further Education and Training Certificate: Phlebotomy Techniques  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2007-08-11  Was HPCSA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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.