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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply quality practice in a medical laboratory 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
257201  Apply quality practice in a medical laboratory 
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  10 
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 work within a laboratory as a competent assistant, whilst continuously executing good laboratory practice (GLP). GLP helps assure that the outcomes of tests generated are a true reflection of the results obtained and can therefore be relied on.

On completion of this unit standard, the competent learner will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the laboratory measuring systems.
  • Comply with total quality management within own work environment.
  • Apply various aspect of stock control in the workplace. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of laboratory measuring systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Common units of measurement used in a medical laboratory are explained according to SI. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Units of mass and volume are converted from greater to lesser and lesser to greater amounts to make reagents and culture media for required procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Concentrations and ratios are used to make simple solutions for reagents and culture media. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Volumetric and gravimetric units are measured demonstrating the use of volume and mass measuring apparatus appropriate to the amounts being measured. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Comply with total quality management (TQM). 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    May include, but is not limited to internal quality procedures and South African National Accreditation Standards (SANAS). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The organisational/institutional quality assurance procedures are explained and applied in terms of the learner's level of expertise. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Work Instructions (WI) pertinent to the laboratory assistant are described and demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Minimum and maximum temperatures of laboratory apparatus are read and recorded on the appropriate logs. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Laboratory apparatus includes but is not limited to freezers, fridges, water baths, incubators.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    All laboratory procedures are documented at the time of performance, to maintain quality assurance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Good housekeeping procedures are demonstrated at all times in the workplace. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Neatness, cleanliness, safety considerations, awareness of and consideration for fellow workers, adherence to organisational requirements, use of personal protective equipment.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Control stock in the workplace. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of stock rotation is explained and/or demonstrated and the need therefore is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The units of stock-on-hand are counted and recorded and the condition of each unit is checked. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The integrity of stock-on-hand is maintained by labelling on receipt and when opened, to indicate expected expiry. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Labelling includes date of receipt, date opened, expiry date and initials of the person labelling the item and/or initials of checker.
     


    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.
  • Appropriate use and maintenance of laboratory apparatus.
  • Policies and Procedures of the relevant organisation.

    Current relevant legislation pertaining to:
  • 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 all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community:
  • Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively:
  • Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organizing and critically evaluating information:
  • Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the mode of oral and or written persuasion:
  • Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    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 all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    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.

    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.

    Matrix of Credits Assigned:

    Activity; Hours:
  • Tutoring:
    > Lecturer; 40 Hours.
    > Learner/self study; 10 Hours.
  • Practical:
    >On job; 50 Hours.

    Total Hours: 100 Hours.
    Total Credits: 10 Credits.

    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
    Core  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.