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Date sent:
22-12-2008
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Sent by:
Carol Smith
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It is with great sadness that I report the
unexpected & untimely death of Jacob Tekane, vice-chair of the Cape branch & longstanding employee at 2 Military
Hospital.
Jacob was a quiet, pleasant person dedicated to his
profession and always spoke up against any injustices or gave suggestions on
improvement - he was well liked and will be sadly missed by all.
Our condolences to his family at this time of loss.
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Date sent:
21-11-2008
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Ina Freitag
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Can you please provide us with information regarding Lab Assistants? When
will the Scope of Application be available as well as exam dates. I also see
on your website that the minimum qualification to apply as technician is
GRADE 10. Surely, this can not be correct??? What is the minimum
qualification for a Lab Assistant then?????????????
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Date sent:
29-10-2008
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Patricia Muller
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Dear Sir,
Thank you for your communication with regard to the Professional Board for
Medical Technologists’ examination and the ensuing results. The
September 2008 examination results were of grave concern to all involved.
Please find responses to the questions as raised.
1. Results are very carefully evaluated and discussed at great length between
the examiners and the moderator particularly borderline cases. Questions and
expected answers are reviewed and compared to content of the syllabus/study
guides. In this particular examination, one question was consistently
answered badly and the system for marking was adjusted. This does not by any
means indicate that the original marking was too strict but reflects that
consideration is made of those questions that have posed a general problem to
the candidates. The question that was reviewed is in fact commonly asked of,
and answered by, student Technicians and so it was with reluctance that any
adjustment was made. On the whole, the way the questions were answered was
shocking, displaying a lack of knowledge of some of the very basic laboratory
procedures and inattention to detail. In a profession where people’s
lives depend on that detail we cannot afford to lower the standards. When the
pass rate is this low the review process is even more stringent – hence
the delay in the issue of the results - but marks will not be adjusted just
to increase the pass rate.
2. The issue of the whole examination being re-written is under review. The
details cannot be disclosed at this stage as any proposal has to pass through
various committees and the Professional Board prior to implementation. The
preference would be for candidates to write the examination as three separate
papers but this is not possible due to regulations regarding standards
required for higher qualifications. If Clinical Pathology were written as
three papers it would raise the educational level above that of the
specialized disciplines. Once qualified, the Technologist may well be
required to operate a small one man clinical pathology laboratory in which
case there must be equal proficiency in each of the disciplines that
constitute Clinical Pathology.
3. There is no sub minimum per paper for this examination. As the two papers
are both based on practical application there is no reason to acquire a
minimum in each. This is why the marks are not given per paper.
The overall pass mark is 50% with a requirement that the candidate pass all
three disciplines. The candidates tend to overlook the fact that if they
obtain 50% for each discipline they could still fail because of the general
section covering all the other sections of the study guide/syllabus relating
to general laboratory practice including small equipment, basic laboratory
management, safety and most importantly quality control – all of which
can reduce the overall percentage to less than 50%.
4. The concept of part of the subject being tested practically in the
laboratory is good but the standardization of the results emanating from such
an exercise would be extremely difficult. Competency to operate analyzers and
small equipment is assessed in the laboratories by the senior Technologists.
If the Technologist passes the Board examination they have demonstrated that
they know how to apply theoretical knowledge - particularly of
pathophysiology - in the workplace, understand the clinical implications of abnormal
results, know when and how to troubleshoot analytical problems identified by
analyzing quality control, analyze patient results and can reasonably be
expected to be able to work in a laboratory without supervision. As an
analogy – I have passed my driving test – technician – but
I also know how the engine works and can identify those “funny
noises” and talk to mechanics about possible causes and required
repairs – technologist.
5. An ‘open book’ examination is useful in many aspects however,
in order to gain maximum benefit one has to have read the book in order to
know where to find the answers! We, like a number of professions, e.g.
doctors, lawyers, veterinary surgeons, inevitably resort to the reference
books despite having passed numerous written examinations. It is our
experience that students fail open book written assignments given as part of
the training programme with four months to complete. It is a matter of
application.
6. It is not within the scope of practice for Technologists to diagnose but
they must be fully familiar with expected results in stated clinical
conditions or realize a potential clinical condition in the face of abnormal
findings. This is essential in the assessment of clinical results obtained.
Pathologists are at hand in large metropolitan laboratories but not in the
smaller towns or rural districts. Qualified Technologists are professionals
and as such may operate a private practice. Our purpose is to establish that
the Technologist has attained adequate skills and knowledge to work anywhere
in the country in any type of practice.
There are many possible causes for the low pass rate which are analyzed ad
nauseum but the most commonly cited in the profession is the commitment of
the students themselves. There is also concern that at University of
Technology level it is reported that the student writes an exam totaling 210
/ 220 marks but this is marked out of 180 due to the generally accepted rule
of 1 mark per minute (which is ok) but gives an advantage to the student of
possibly gaining extra marks by marking out of less total – they may
gain up to 20% extra marks. The student is getting used to actually passing
with 41% instead of the minimum of 50% they are expected to acquire in Board
exams.
The number of Technologists is not the priority of the Board but rather the
quality of the qualification. We are striving to gain international
recognition for our qualification and if the standards are lowered this will
not be possible. There is a world wide shortage of Medical Technologists but
the current examiners and moderators in all disciplines are not prepared to
lower the standards to meet demand. Contrary to your opinion, we are happy to
discuss the pass rates – there is nothing secret about the
examinations. The pass rate in March was 54% with several in the 60’s
and 70’s and several in the 20’s and 30’s – a good
Gaussian curve. As to the judgment of the ‘fairness’ of the
examination papers – that is for the moderator and in turn our peers
who are the best judges of the quality of the questions. All constructive
criticism is always received, relayed and reviewed. For reference - the
complaint in March was that the Microbiology section was too easy.
I can understand the disappointment of your daughter (and others) at failing
the examination again – it is common knowledge that I wrote Clin Path
twice because I failed Haematology dismally and subsequently specialized in
and also obtained a higher diploma in that very discipline. She has to
persevere and the only thing I can offer is study, study and more study
– particularly at the microscope which seems to be the downfall of
most. Might I suggest that your daughter register to write the Medical
Technicians examination next year if she has difficulty in passing? It is now
common practice for those who fail in March after their internship, to
register for this examination which is written in October as well as the
September Technologist re-write. Often this has resulted in success in
passing the Technicians’ examination giving the candidate confidence to
continue and go on to qualify as a Technologist.
As from January 2009, all students must register with the Board as Intern
Technologists immediately prior to starting their internship. This means
there are three types of registers – one for students at the UoTs, one
for interns and one for qualified Technologists. The registration is valid
for three years and may only be renewed under exceptional circumstances. This
means that interns are now limited to writing the final examination a maximum
of four times. It is hoped that this will give them the incentive to study.
Whilst we are all very involved in the training of students and have their
interests at heart, we are also bound to maintain professional standards for
our qualification and the subsequent registration with the Health Professions
Council of South Africa.
Regards,
Patricia Műller
Chairperson Clinical Pathology Scientific Advisory Committee
Clinical Pathology Co-examiner
c.c.Isabel Nunes (Input included)
Clinical Pathology Moderator
c.c.Elzabe Olivier
National Examiner Clinical Pathology
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Date sent:
27-10-2008
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Sent by:
Concerned Dad
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My daughter wrote the Board
exams in Clinical Pathology for the second time last month. The first time
she got over 40% in all three subjects and the latest result she only passed
Chemical Pathology and over 40% again for Haematology whiles the Microbiology
marks was lower. According to her and most of the interns written with her,
some parts of the papers difficulty level was way over the top. Of the 6
interns written with her from their training lab, two had written for the
third time, two for their second time and rest for the first time. During the
previous exam somebody had even written for the sixth time before she passed!
Only one intern of the 7 passed according the current criteria of 50% minimum
in each paper, thus less than 20% of these interns. From the above example
and information given to me, the following questions came to mind:
1. Are pass rates taken into consideration when results are released in order
to evaluate the difficulty rate of the specific subjects in the papers?
2. Why must the whole exam be repeated if one or more of the subjects had
been passed?
3. A 50% sub minimum is required for each paper which consists of three
sections/subjects in each paper but the results are released per subject and
not per paper? I do not understand why so complicated? Why not divide it into
three papers for each subject?
4. According to Carol Smith the exam used to have a practical component but
as this became difficult to simulate, it was changed to a written practical
and we try to use practical situations which are experience in a lab .
Shouldn't interns rather be tested (say a 40% mark of the subject) in the training
lab by their pathologists? The argument is that they might pass the Board
exam, but can they properly operate the machines and display results on
actual (and not simulate) cases?
5. Should the Board consider letting interns write an open book exam like in
the case of an engineer s Government ticket ? In real live, a practitioner
will not be expected to memorize all knowledge but would make use of
reference materials like manuals, handbooks, etc.
6. Should interns be tested on matters that would not be expected of them in
practice? (For example to give possible clinical causes/diagnostics which
might be another functionary s responsibility in the lab).
Due to the fact that my daughter cannot become totally financial independent
(she receive half her salary until she qualifies), I am willing to support
her and offered to pay her exam fees. According to the current suspected pass
rate, it seems like I might be doing this for another few times? I was also
wondering how the Society/Board will be able to provide enough qualified
technologists to the industry taking into account normal retirement and
emigration cases. What one expects is that the Board adjust the method of
testing and/or the standard of the exam to provide reasonable results (thus
the exam should be fair like in the case of the diploma course). It would be
interesting to know what the pass rates of the previous pass year s Board
examination was, but however somehow I doubt if this would be
released........I would appreciate if other views in this regard could also
be expressed.
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Date sent:
27-10-2008
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Sent by:
Chris
Blom
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Dear XS, I am on the
publication Committee of the SMLTSA, together with Wessel Kleinhans
(webmaster), Johan Esterhuyse, etc. Thank you for the input. May we ask you
to become involved and help in this regard - it will be appreciated. Please
contact me at cblom@iafrica.com
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Date sent:
22-10-2008
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Sent by:
Unknown
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Please note vol 22 no 1 CPD
questionnaire not yet available online for answering (ie ecpdsa website).
when will this be available ? Thanks
The CPD questionnaire for Volume 22 No, will be
loaded shortly - Webmaster
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Date sent:
22-10-2008
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Sent by:
XS
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It is unacceptable that the
website of such an important organisation is so outdated. Please have regular
updates.
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Date sent:
09-09-2008
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Sent by:
Georges
Valin
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Hello MedTech of SA, It's
very interesting reading yours lines.
Here in Québec, Canada, we have the same problems
that you all mentioned in this forum, except that we resolved one; the
salary. After 20 years of studies on responsibilities (of all types of
Medical jobs); Nurses got the highest salary, and most of the others as Medtech
or RespTech got just a few points below, according that all these positions
required a College Certification, those who got a degree are paid a little
more. So, to be right you deserve a salary and also working conditions equal
to Nurses. Salaries in the USA
look higher? Gross or net? Some states have a very low tax level others as California have a very
high one. Some of you, that I know, have worked in Saudia Arabia for a good
salary; no taxes, no life also! We often complain about ours wages because
ours work-load is constantly getting heavier.
In this profession of MedTech, -the grass is the same colour everywhere-, but
we enjoy ours days at work; full of passion and challenges, also a lot of fun
with a good team of co-workers.
Georges, 20 years in Private and public Labs, also 3 years in Saudia Arabia.
PS. Would like very much to have fun in your Labs in SA.
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Date sent:
28-07-2008
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Sent by:
JJ
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Hi there
Could someone please enlighten
me as to what prerequisites are needed for a med tech to be regarded as a
senior?
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Date sent:
09-07-2008
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Sent by:
James
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Dear Distressed,
Thank you for the info!
Trevor, can you please explain how to obtain a work permit in the UK.
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Date sent:
30-06-2008
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Sent by:
Distressed
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Just a interesting bit of
infomation!
http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000174.html
At our current exchange rate.
That is three times the amount I am getting right now, and i have been in the
field for ten years, i also have been in a senior position for 6 of those
years because i was one of the people who took an interest in the job and the
only one capable to do the job. That is because our more experienced people
have left the field "typical brain drain" we were left with
inexperienced people who did not want to advance, and only take home a pay
check.
Yes the salary should be looked at but i feel all employees must take a look
at what they do all day and work out if they deserve a decent salary.
I suggest more job grades depending on the amount of years you have been
working and the amount of things you can do!!, with bigger salary jumps
in-between the grades to make up for the experience factor. There has
definitely got to be a standard for moving up a grade.
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Date sent:
25-06-2008
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Sent by:
Unknown
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Hey Trevor? please e-mail
me at ransy215@gmail.com? thanks.
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Date sent:
25-05-2008
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Sent by:
Trevor
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I've been reading this
forum with a great deal of interest. I qualified in 94 in SA as a med tech
and have worked in SA laboratories for 12 years. I've now been working as a
biomedical scientist in the UK
for 4 years and can sincerly say that med techs in SA are seriously
undervalued as members of the medical fraternity and this is clearly
reflected in their pay packages.
Because of this many med techs in SA leave their chosen careers to follow
more lucrative options, particularly outside of the medical field. This leads
to a loss of experience and knowledge (There are very few Older med techs)
and because of this laboratories in SA are much poorer in knowledge and less
capable of providing a first world service
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Date sent:
11-04-2008
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Sent by:
Carol
Smith
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I seem to remember the
HPCSA posted the reasons for the increases on their website?
However this was raised by one of the members at the Cape
branch AGM, so we will be sending them a letter - will keep you posted!
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Date sent:
27-03-2008
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Sent by:
Nontobeko
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I am sorry you are going to
pay that much. One explanation is that you are a professional and secondly
you pay to be monitored, scientists are not really monitored, their employers
and themselves want accolades, you know things like how many publications and
citations do you have under your name. So nobody monitors you for that you
decide to sleep in the research lab, make as many mistakes as you want to get
those publications. Now you my friend, one foot wrong, you know where you
will be going.
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Date sent:
27-03-2008
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Sent by:
Unknown
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Registration for qualified
med techs is now R810.00 . we are paying more than scientists.
can someone please explain the reason for this increase ? thanks
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Date sent:
06-03-2008
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Sent by:
Nontobeko
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Having been in the field
myself I think January and February are hectic months. There is a lot of
introspection as to where from here and do I want the same things I got last
year and if I have to get something else how do I go about getting it, maybe
a change of discipline or field. Greener pastures need watering too and what
happens if I become the gardener and not the boss that I wanted to be. So
difficult decisions need to be made. I am certain by March those still in the
field will start to communicate with us. Good luck and for those dreams to
come true, you will need to wake up.
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Date sent:
27-02-2008
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Sent by:
Nontobeko
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Dear webmaster. I enjoy reading
messages on your site, but today is the 27th February 2008 and your site was
last edited on the 19 November 2007. Do you also have cable problems because
we experience that quite often or are Med Techs just taking a breather. I am
not in the field anymore so reserve my comments, I cannot be objective I
know.
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