The School of Allied Health Professions is one of the schools in the Faculty of Health Sciences. The school has 3 degree programmes. Two in the discipline of Laboratory medicine i.e. BSc Medical laboratory Sciences (Generic and completion programme, BSc Cytotechnology and Histotechnology Sciences) and Pharmacy programme. In addition, the school offers graduate level (MPhil and PhD in medical laboratory Sciences) on full-time and part-time basis.

Career opportunities for Medical Laboratory Scientists

Medical laboratory scientists are trained to perform laboratory investigations to provide scientific evidence of disease diagnosis and prognosis. A degree holder in Medical Science is employable both in government and private hospital laboratories. It is also possible to set up an independent private practice laboratory business. Medical lab scientists form a crucial part of medical research teams in hospital, academic and research institutions such as the University and research centres. Other career paths are in sales and marketing of medical and laboratory supplies, and in biomedical industry. Employment opportunities exists locally, region and abroad.

With Post-Graduate studies carrier opportunities exist as specialist in Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Virology, and immunology and quality management. They are trained to operate high-technology diagnostic equipment. Their vital roles are in disease diagnosis, research in disease surveillance and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, provision of safe blood.

Career opportunities for Cytotechnologists and Histotechnologists

Graduates of cytotechnology and histotechnology sciences programme are highly employable in the country, regionally and worldwide in hospital laboratories. There are also career opportunities for graduate cytotechnologists & histotechnologists in private diagnostic laboratories, forensic pathology laboratories, veterinary laboratories, training institutions and in clinical research facilities. A laboratory scientist who has specialized in cytotechnology and histotechnology can also set up an independent private practice laboratory business.

Career opportunities for Pharmacists

There is a critical shortage of pharmacists in most countries including Botswana. A pharmacist can be employed in both public and private sector nationally, regionally or internationally. Upon completion of training a pharmacy graduate may be employed as clinical pharmacist in hospitals where they provide pharmaceutical patient care.  A pharmacist may also be employed in retail pharmacies, in medical aid providers as managed care pharmacist to evaluate appropriateness, cost effectiveness, safety and clinical effectiveness of medicines prescribed by health care providers, researchers and academicians by training and research institutions. Other career opportunities are in sales and marketing representatives for pharmaceutical products and owning business.