All qualifying Clinical Technologists registered in the category Private Practice will be migrated to the Independent Practice register by 30 April 2021. The Radiography & Clinical Technology Board (hereafter referred to as the Board) explains the reasons for this decision and its implications below, and resolves to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Background
The Clinical Technology register was created in 1981 and Clinical Technologists with five years of experience in any of the seven categories of Clinical Technology (Cardiology, Perfusion, Nephrology, Neurology, Pulmonology, Critical Care and Reproductive Biology) were registered in Supervised Practice as provided for in Section 33 of the Health Professions Act (Act No. 56 of 1974) (hereafter referred to as the Act).
In 1984, the four-year National Diploma in Clinical Technology was introduced, and graduates were registered in the category Independent Practice with the HPCSA. In 2000, the Bachelor of Technology (NQF level 7) was introduced, and the National Diploma in Clinical Technology became a three-year diploma (NQF level 6). National Diploma graduates were registered in the category Supervised Practice and Bachelor of Technology graduates were registered in the category Private Practice, which was established in 2002. The earlier four-year National Diploma holders, who graduated before 2002, were migrated to the Private Practice category and the Independent Practice category was subsequently deactivated. In 2017, further curriculum developments led to the introduction of the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) in Clinical Technology (NQF level 8).
Migration to new register
On the 13th of January 2021, the Board resolved to register BHSc Clinical Technology students in Independent Practice, without restriction as follows:
- Independent Practice means the practising of a health profession by a registered health practitioner for his or her own account in solus practice, as a partner in a partnership with another health practitioner or other health practitioners, as an associate in an incorporated association with other health practitioners, or as a director of a company exempted from the provisions of the Act in terms of section 54A of the Act.
- The category registration Private Practice in Clinical Technology is not defined in the HPCSA statutes and therefore all Clinical Technologists, registered in the category Private Practice and meeting the minimum requirements for registration, will be migrated to the Independent Practice register by 30 April 2021.
- All Clinical Technologists migrated to the Independent Practice category register from the Private Practice register will be issued with new registration certificates reflecting the Independent Practice category.
- HPCSA registration numbers will remain the same; only the category will be amended to Independent Practice from Private Practice.
- Clinical Technologists may continue to practise in line with the definition of Independent Practice, and register with the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) of Southern Africa, with no further restrictions in their Scope of Practice.
Registration requirements for Clinical Technologists (KT)
- Form 23 or 24 KT and original National Diploma in Clinical Technology or a copy thereof certified by a Notary Public
- Certified copy of ID document or passport with a clear photograph
- Registration fee: as indicated in the category of registration: Independent Practice: Critical Care, Pulmonology etc.
- A copy of your registration certificate with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
- Clinical Technologist can only registered in private practice after obtaining a B-Tech degree and registering it against his/her name as an additional qualification.
Questions regarding new register
Practitioners can check their HPCSA status online and direct questions regarding this development to Professionalpractice@hpcsa.co.za.
Last Updated on 10 March 2021 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs