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Certificate III in Pathology Collection

HLT37215

Considering-a-career-in-healthcare.pngOur Certificate III in Pathology Collection course will arm you with the skills, knowledge and practical experience you need to become a pathology specimen collector (phlebotomist) in just 15 weeks plus placement.

Get hands-on, hospital-based training at Mater Hospital Brisbane or Mater Health Hub, Springfield.

You will learn:

  • How to collect blood specimens by venepuncture
  • How to collect pathology specimens other than blood
  • Procedures for handling and transporting pathology specimens
  • Infection control policies and procedures - including standard additional precautions
  • How to effectively communicate in the workplace
  • How to identify and respond to clinical risks
  • Quality assurance practices

Be supported by our expert educators and gain the knowledge, skills and practical experience you need to kickstart your rewarding career in pathology collection.

This qualification is approved for the Career Start program under the General Training Pathway. For more information on the available funding options and criteria go to the Costs section on this page. Eligibility criteria apply.

Career pathways

After completing the course, you will be qualified to work in a variety of healthcare collection settings such as:

  • Pathology collection centres 
  • Hospitals 
  • Medical practices
  • In a patient’s home 
  • or for medical research. 

The role requires considerable technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills.

Course information

  • Mater Education wants students to have every opportunity to succeed at their study. Our program is dynamic and delivered in a way that caters to all learning styles.

    When applications are open, you will need to complete an online application addressing the following four criteria:

    1. What motivates you to pursue a career in healthcare at this time?
    2. Why do you think the Mater Education program would suit you?
    3. How do you plan to balance your life, work and full-time study commitments?
    4. List your previous working history.


    Please note – employers generally recruit staff over the age of 18. Therefore, to assist with a pathway to employment, students need to be 17 years of age or older when enrolling into this course.

    Applicants will need to:

    • display competence at or above Exit Level 2 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) across all five core skills of learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy. You will also be required to demonstrate sufficient digital literacy.
    • agree to obtaining a criminal history check prior to workplace experience placement. 
    • be immunised, or in the process of being vaccinated, for the following communicable diseases:
      • Hepatitis B
      • Varicella (chicken pox)
      • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
      • Pertussis (whooping cough)
      • Seasonal vaccinations (influenza) as required.
    • have access to a reliable internet connection enabling access to Mater Education’s virtual learning environment, and a portable digital device with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player to utilise in class and at home to complete assessments and online activities.

Placement

Mater Education has a dedicated placement team who will make arrangements for your mandatory placement at major pathology providers such as Mater Pathology.

You will be required to complete a minimum of 35 hours of workplace experience placement at the end of the studies. Placement hours are generally achieved across a two-week period.

Learn more

Find out more about this course