Student Medical Laboratory Technician Programme

The Student Medical Laboratory Technician (SMLT) programme is a two-year programme in which suitable candidates are recruited to undergo training to become Medical Laboratory Technicians in Clinical Pathology or Histology. While South Africa is experiencing a shortage of qualified medical technologists, this qualification is one means to help bridge the gap. As rapid technological advances take place, the pathology industry envisages the need for more suitably qualified laboratory technicians and PathCare provides the opportunity for individuals to enter this environment.

The programme is run along similar lines to a learnership in which the students have theory and practical study in training rooms and rotations through various PathCare training laboratories for practical work experience. The theory component of the programme takes place at the Academy Cape Town and Vereeniging. The subjects studied by those students wanting to become Clinical Pathology Technicians are Anatomy and Physiology, Safety in the Laboratory, Medical Ethics, Chemical Pathology, Haematology and Microbiology. Students wishing to pursue the Histology Technician qualification follow the same initial generic training programme before substituting Histology for the Chemistry, Haematology and Microbiology disciplines. The trainers and supervisors are all qualified registered medical practitioners.

The programme commences in February each year and positions are advertised internally and on the PathCare website in the latter half of the year preceding commencement. Entry criteria for this Academy programme includes a grade 12 pass with mathematics and science and life sciences. Selection includes pre-interview testing and panel interviews. Successful candidates are paid an allowance and are employed on a two-year contract during their studies at the PathCare Academy. Each year, the Academy is increasing its number of candidates recruited for/from various locations in South Africa and Namibia. Students write a national Board Exam set by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) during which they write two two-hour exams. The students need to achieve a 50% pass in both exams in order to pass. Once they have passed the exam, and completed the 24 month mandatory training period, they are required to register as Qualified Medical Laboratory Technicians with the HPCSA in order to be able to practice in their field.