The Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology is hosting its Professional Oath ceremony at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Ritson Campus, on Saturday, 18 May 2023.
This is an annual event which is a culmination of hard work and dedication from all role players in the training of students in both Bachelor of Health Sciences in Clinical Technology and Medical Laboratory Science.
The final product of professional graduates is molded and guided by the department’s vision and mission statements that are stated as follows “Globally recognised for Medical Laboratory Science and Clinical Technology Education”.
The mission is “Developing Professionals for Diagnosis and Disease Management” Through excellence in Teaching and Learning; Research; Engagement; Entrepreneurship.
The first part of the event will be to encourage excellence through rewarding best performance academically and in research. Furthermore, building future leaders and inculcating leadership skills in students that accept roles as class representatives, a role that develops graduate attributes such as working in a team and leadership. These attributes are recognised in the form of awards.
As the Head of Department, Dr Joyce Nonhlanhla Mbatha, and with all her staff are committed in hosting the event for the 2023 graduates for the BHSC degree who will be declaring their solemn vows and signing this professional oath at DUT for their commitment to their professions and to patient health care.
An awards ceremony will also be included for those top achieving students in both programmes.
“The Clinical Technology qualification develops a learner to possess the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to practice as a clinical technologist, as a part of a multi-disciplinary team, in one of the following specialist categories: Cardiology, Cardiovascular Perfusion, Critical Care, Nephrology, Neurology, Pulmonology or Reproductive Biology,” she explained. Dr Mbatha indicated that the qualifying learner will be able to independently perform diagnostic, therapeutic, and corrective procedures on patients using specialised health technology and techniques for the treatment of patho-physiological conditions in a hospital-based or in a private practice setting.
She further commented that the Medical Laboratory Science is a profession of highly knowledgeable and skilled individuals who perform diagnostic tests on patient samples in a clinical laboratory and are skilled to conduct research.
“The service offered by medical laboratory scientists is an important component of patient health care, as the results obtained from these laboratory tests are a vital tool in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Our departmental motto is ‘PATIENT LIVES MATTER”; both professions play an integral role in disease management and patient health care,” added Dr Mbatha.
She explained that it is therefore important that graduates take a solemn professional oath to ensure and instill the ethical values that will contribute to the highest commitment of care aligned with the HPCSA guidelines for independent practice.
“I am anticipating the attendance of our graduates and representatives of the clinical practice training institutions and my DUT colleagues who have confirmed their attendance to this prestigious event that has been moved by the task team within the ambit of the teaching and learning committee of the department ,” she said.
Pictured: Dr Joyce Nonhlanhla Mbatha
Article supplied by: The Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology.
