Certificate III in Pathology Collection

Full Fee-paying student—$3 950

View the schedule of fees for students in 2020.

Government funding—Certificate 3 Guarantee
This qualification is approved for subsidies under the Queensland Government's Certificate 3 Guarantee program. Certificate 3 Guarantee provides a government subsidy to allow eligible Queenslanders to obtain their first post-school Certificate III level qualification. To be eligible for the Certificate 3 Guarantee funded by the Queensland Government you must meet the eligibility criteria, as outlined below. 

Non-concessional student Co-Contribution—$1 185
Concessional student Co-Contribution—$592

Co-contribution is payable prior to commencement.

To be eligible for the Certificate 3 Guarantee you must meet the following criteria:

• not hold or be currently enrolled in a certificate III or higher level qualification (does not include qualifications completed in secondary school)
• be 15 years or older
• have completed or left secondary school
• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in Queensland, or New Zealand citizen permanently residing in Queensland (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency.

For more information about eligibility go to Certificate 3 Guarantee Student Fact Sheet or the Certificate 3 Guarantee FAQs.

You are eligible for the concession fee if you are eligible for subsidised training, and are listed on an Australian Government Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you hold a Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card, or if you have a disability.

Mater Education offers a payment plan for some Pathology Collection course fees. To pay your fees this way you’ll need to make three to five non-refundable payments—the first before the start of the course. There are no administration fees or interest charges, and no extra charges for credit card payments. Please contact us to find out about our payment plan.

Students will no longer be eligible for a government subsidised training place under the Certificate 3 Guarantee program once they complete the qualification.
 

Additional costs

As part of your enrolment you may need to buy:

• Mater Education Uniform shirt (approximately $60 - $80 per shirt)
• Closed-in black shoes
• Black business pants or knee-length black skirt (preferably with pockets)
• Criminal history check 'Fit2Work' ($29)
• CPR currency ($50 - $60)
• Any additional vaccinations you may require
• Vocational placement at a non-Mater collection centre ($300) (limited number of places available) - see Vocational Placement Travel costs relating to vocational placement.

Cancellation and refund policy.

Duration

This course is delivered over 15 weeks plus vocational placement. Classes are delivered through two main modes of delivery: 

• Campus: Onsite at Mater Education campus (Up to two day per week*).
• Online: Theory sessions and tutorials delivered online (est. 10 hours per week).

Within these modes, a range of class styles are utilised, including classroom work, group discussions, tutorials, online videos, online sessions and practical simulation events. 

Training times

• The Mater Education delivers classes between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm.
• Classes are typically between Monday to Friday.
• Students will be provided with a timetable for each term to assist in planning ahead for their training upon commencement.

Class timetables

View the indicative timetables and study expectations for students commencing study in:

• January 2020
• July 2020
• September 2020
• May 2021

* Please note: Adjustments to the delivery mode may occur while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place. Theory sessions will move to an online delivery depending upon government restrictions and community expectations. 

Vocational placement consolidates your knowledge within the real or simulated healthcare environment by giving you the opportunity to apply theory to practice. It happens at the end of the course at one of Mater’s collection centres.

Placement is a minimum of 35 hours at the end of the course. There is the possibility of additional placement and or simulation if course requirements are not met.

Although every attempt is made to send students to a collection centre near to where they live, it is not always possible so some travel may be required.

A limited number of opportunities exist for students to undertake Vocational Placement at an external Pathology company (a $300 fee applies). 

To be eligible to undertake vocational placement at a non Mater pathology collection centre, student’s tuition fees must not be in arrears. 

As places are limited, Mater Education reserves the right to nominate students for placement.  Students have the option to opt-out if offered a place at an external provider.  

This qualification comprises 14 units in total, including 9 core units and 5 elective units.

Core Units

CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in the health or community services
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers.

BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to understand and respond to instructions; to carry out routine tasks and communicate with a range of internal/external clients in a medical environment; as well as use appropriate medical terminology.

CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to follow organisational infection prevention and control procedures, including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to infection risks.

HLTWHS001 Participate in Workplace health and safety
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for workers to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others.

BSBCUS201 Deliver a service to customers
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to deliver all aspects of customer service at an introductory level. It includes creating a relationship with customers, identifying their needs, delivering services or products and processing customer feedback.

HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise client risk factors, identify emergency situations and provide emergency or first aid response to client reactions associated with pathology specimen collection.

HLTPAT002 Perform venous blood collections
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to confirm collection requirements, prepare client and equipment, and perform routine blood collections using venous blood collection.

HLTPAT004 Collect pathology specimens other than blood
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to confirm collection requirements, prepare client and equipment and make routine pathology specimen collections.
 

Elective units

HLTPAT006 Receive, prepare and dispatch pathology specimens
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to receive specimens, complete the administrative process to prepare samples for pathology testing, and dispatch specimens. This unit does not cover the dispatch of dangerous goods or the transport of specimens to external facilities.

BSBWOR202 Organise and complete daily work activities
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to seek feedback for performance improvement and use current technology appropriate to the task. It applies to individuals working under direct supervision who develop basic skills and knowledge for working in a broad range of settings.

HLTAID003 Provide first aid
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty. The unit applies to all workers who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.

BSBFLM312 Contribute to team effectiveness
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to contribute to the effectiveness of the work team. It involves planning with the team to meet expected outcomes, developing team cohesion, participating in and facilitating the work team, and communicating with the management of the organisation.

BSBWOR301 Organise personal work priorities and development
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to organise own work schedules, to monitor and obtain feedback on work performance and to maintain required levels of competence.

Should you leave the course before you complete it, you’ll receive a Statement of Attainment for any units of competency you’ve successfully completed and where fees have been paid in full.