Joint Programme for Harare School of Radiography & Harare Institute of Technology (HIT)

Bachelor of Technology Honours in Radiography

The Bachelor of Technology Honours in Radiography is a full-time, four-year degree programme which leads to professional recognition by the Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (AHPCZ). It is under the Ministry of Health and Child Care accommodated at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and affiliated to the Harare Institute of Technology.

The purpose of the degree programme is to develop a professional who is competent in the knowledge and skills required for therapeutic and diagnostic radiography. The cadre should have gained experience in applying such knowledge and skills in the appropriate workplace context.

This degree programme enables the student to competently apply an integration of theory, principles, proven techniques, practical experience and appropriate skills to the solution of well-defined and abstract problems in the selected field of Radiography. The student should become a reflective practitioner and a life-long learner in his or her profession, thereby benefiting the community and society. Skills in management and research will also be acquired, allowing the holder of this qualification to work independently and in a supervisory capacity within the health care team.

Successful completion of this degree programme will enable the graduate to register with the relevant Professional Council.

Radiography is one of the scarce skilled professions in Zimbabwe, and more radiographers need to be trained in order to address this shortage. Healthcare is set to change in the future from the curative paradigm of the 20th century to a pre-emptive model. Imaging and treatment modalities are central to this model and will drive that change to the benefit of the patient. Medical imaging and oncology in general play a key role in understanding complex biological systems and is dependent on interdisciplinary fields (e.g. physics, anatomy and physiology, computer sciences) to extract that information.

Given that radiography is a discipline which utilizes motor skills and improves with practice, a Bachelor of Technology degree, biased towards technical training, will provide the requisite practical skills since it is industry based.

The qualification is necessary for employment in both the public and the private sector as part of a team providing a holistic health care service in general and radiography (therapeutic and diagnostic) services in particular.

This qualification requires a minimum of four years full-time study with equal emphasis on theoretical and clinical practice. It is recognized by the relevant Professional Council as a requirement for registration to practice in the field of Radiography. All students registered for this qualification are required to be registered by the relevant Professional Council for the duration of the period of study in an accredited clinical training centre.

Programme Objectives

The programme is designed such that on completion, graduates should be able to:

• Innovatively execute their professional role within prescribed and legislative parameters
• Demonstrate a critical understanding and application of quality assurance and radiation protection in Radiography.
• Apply scientific knowledge and technical skills to perform Radiography procedures.
• Plan, develop and apply total quality management appropriate to the Radiography context.
• Apply management, entrepreneurial, education and research skills independently and function in a supervisory clinical governance and quality assurance capacity within the professional sector.
• Demonstrate the ability to reflect in clinical practice.
• Critically evaluate and adjust to current and new trends in Radiography.
• Demonstrate capability to implement new knowledge and solve problems in varying contexts.
• Engage life-long learning and development in their profession

Entry Qualifications

Candidates must comply with section 3.0 of the general regulations.

Entry requirements for acceptance into the Bachelor of Technology Honours in Radiography are:

At least two (2) Advanced Level passes in Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry.

OR

Candidates who are holders of the Diploma in Radiography or its equivalent qualification plus a minimum of two years relevant post qualification experience.

OR

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Radiography or its equivalent qualification plus a minimum of two years relevant post qualification experience.

Graduate Attributes

The graduate will be having the following attributes

• high clinical competency
• technopreneurship skills
• team work
• ethics and integrity
• computer literacy
• critical thinking and problem solving skills
• communication skills
• lifelong learning skills
• research skills

Career Prospects

Career opportunities in the medical industry are available in public and private health institutions.  There is demand for radiography professionals in local and regional hospitals with knowledge and skills of radio-diagnosis and radiation treatment. Graduates can also work in mining companies, as well as production industries as quality assurance officers. Opportunities are also available regionally and internationally in health institutions, research centers, industry and training institutions.