FOREIGN STUDENTS WISHING TO TRAIN IN CYTOLOGY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Cytotechnology students from other countries who have completed three years at a South African University of Technology and now wish to do their one-year internship in an accredited cytology teaching laboratory may register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as technology students. They are then able to write the Cytology Board Examination.

Students who trained as technologists outside South Africa need to complete form 176MT and submit the last two pages of the form and the curriculum of their foreign qualification for status evaluation to a South African University of Technology. Equivalence of 80% is required between the prescribed South African National Diploma in Biomedical Technology and their qualification. If these requirements are met, these students may register with the HPCSA, undergo one-year internship in an accredited cytology teaching laboratory and write the Cytology Board Examination.

Students from outside South Africa who wish to train as Cytotechnicians in an accredited cytology teaching laboratory may register with the HPCSA. This training has to be completed within three years. They are then eligible to write the Cytotechnician Board Examination.

Please contact the HPCSA for more information in this regard:
PO. Box 205
Pretoria
0001
Tel: 2712 3389300/1
Fax: 2712 3285120
E-mail: hpcsa@hpcsa.co.za

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) does accept students from neighbouring countries for training in cytology if training posts are available and the HPCSA requirements have been met.

Private cytology laboratories in South Africa have their own policies and should be contacted directly in this regard. HPCSA regulations need to be fulfilled if foreign students wish to undergo cytology training in private laboratories.