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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Handle blood components for transfusion 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257200  Handle blood components for transfusion 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Medical Laboratory Assistants 
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 3  NQF Level 03  13 
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 will enable the learner to apply the fundamental principles of Blood Component preparation and distribution, and will provide skills for recognition within a laboratory for upward mobility as well as skills to work in other departments in pathology laboratories. Knowledge and insight gained are essential elements for the quality needed in handling pathology specimens as well as addressing the skills shortage in the country.

On completion of this unit standard, the competent learner will be able to:
  • Operate specific laboratory equipment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of temperature conditions and controls.
  • Receive and prepare blood transfusion components.
  • Check, label, store and distribute blood transfusion components. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 2.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Relevant prior work experience, qualifications and learning events will be recognised for this qualification, and competence will be measured against the equivalent assessment criteria. RPL will be granted in agreement with the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Handle implies operate, receive, prepare, check, label, store and distribute. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Operate and maintain laboratory equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Refrigerators, freezers, blast freezers, temperature gauges, centrifuges, scales, blood component separation machines (e.g. T-Ace), sterile hoods, heat sealing machines, sterile connecting devices, alcohol/dry-ice baths, platelet agitators, leukocyte filters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Temperatures of refrigerators and freezers used for storage of blood and blood components are monitored to ensure the integrity of the stored products. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Temperature gauges include thermometers, digital reading temperature gauges, automated temperature monitoring systems.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, in order to maintain optimal performance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment is cleaned appropriately and required readings are recorded to ensure environmental and personnel safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Faulty equipment is recorded and reported to facilitate timely maintenance. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of temperature conditions and controls. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Stipulations set out in the most recent edition of Standards for Practice for Blood Transfusions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The requirements for the correct storage temperatures of unprocessed and processed blood and blood components are explained in terms of preserving the integrity of the product. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The requirements for the correct transport temperature conditions for unprocessed and processed components are explained in terms of preserving the integrity of the product. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The requirements for the correct atmospheric temperature conditions and controls during preparation of blood and blood components are applied in order to insure the integrity of the product. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Receive and prepare Blood Transfusion Components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Units of whole blood are received, assessed, labeled and sorted into products for component separation and preparation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Specimens taken at the time of donation of each unit of blood are centrifuged in preparation for transporting to the testing department. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Units of whole blood are centrifuged and the centrifuged units are separated into appropriate components for distribution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Processed platelet and plasma components are sorted and labeled in preparation for release and distribution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Blood transfusion plasma components are frozen and thawed to produce required products. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Processed red cell, plasma and platelet components are filtered to produce required products. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Data relating to blood components are captured at various stages of preparation and distribution, by means of serial numbers for easy, future retrieval. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Bar Code scanners, manual data capture systems, computerized data capture systems.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Check, label, store and distribute Blood Transfusion Components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    After testing and authorized for release, processed blood and blood components are checked for suitability/unsuitability and appropriately labeled. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Computerized system of checking for units that are unsuitable for use.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Labelled processed and unprocessed blood and blood components are dispatched to inventory for storage and/or issue to blood banks. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this qualification, must be registered as an assessor and/or moderator with the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA) or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning for this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any relevant accredited assessment agency, assessor or provider institution, which is also accredited by the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Quality control and Laboratory Safety Procedures.
  • Policies and Procedures of relevant organization.
  • Appropriate use and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
  • Relevant theoretical knowledge of blood and its' components and practical application thereof.

    Current legislation pertaining to the following will be applicable:
  • Standards for Practice for Blood Transfusion.
  • Occupational Health and Safety.
  • Handling or use of Human Tissue.
  • Medical, Dental and Supplementary Health Services.
  • Regulations defining the scope of the profession of Medical Technology.
  • Statutory guidelines of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) pertaining to Medical Ethics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical thinking have been made:

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment.
  • Receive and prepare Blood Transfusion Components.
  • Check, label, store and distribute Blood Transfusion Components. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment.
  • Receive and prepare Blood Transfusion Components.
  • Check, label, store and distribute Blood Transfusion Components. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

    Refer all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organizing and critically evaluating information.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes:
  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment.
  • Receive and prepare Blood Transfusion Components. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the mode of oral and or written persuasion.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcome:
  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems.

    Refer to the following Specific Outcomes.
  • Receive and prepare Blood Transfusion Components.
  • Check, label, store and distribute Blood Transfusion Components. 
    		•

    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 
    It is strongly recommended that competency in the following Unit Standards is achieved prior to commencing learning towards this Unit Standard:
  • SAQA ID 252401: Comply with safety requirements in the medical or blood transfusion fields.
  • SAQA ID 119078: Use a GUI-based word processor to enhance a document through the use of tables and columns.
  • SAQA ID 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.
  • SAQA ID 257201: Apply quality practice in the medical laboratory.

    Matrix of Credits Assigned:

    Activity; Hours:
  • Tutoring:
    > Lecturer; 16 Hours.
    > Learner/self study; 10 Hours.
  • Practical:
    > On job; 102 Hours.
    > Simulation; 2 Hours.

    Total Hours: 130 Hours.
    Total Credits: 13 Credits.

    Course requirements: The learner is required to be registered with the HPCSA as a Student Medical Laboratory Assistant for the duration of the period of learning.

    All actions are measured against the prescribed protocols or standard operating procedures (SOP) of the organization/institution where the learner is currently employed. The prescribed protocols/SOP are written instructions relating to specific tasks. These written instructions are issued to the learner, and signed once they have been studied. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  63189   National Certificate: Medical Laboratory Assistance  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30   


    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.