This qualification equips students with practical skills in drawing blood, administering first aid, participating in workplace health and safety, implementing infection control and more.

The course is designed to provide hands-on industry experience and focuses on promoting technical skill and effective communication techniques, preparing students for work in a variety of medical environments, including pathology collection centres, GP clinics, specialist rooms, hospitals, and other public and private health settings. 

Release status: Current | Delivered by: Labtech Training Victoria Pty Ltd (RTO 22545)

Total duration: 16 weeks + 35 hours of work placement

Training centre location: Level 1/85 Buckhurst St, South Melbourne (4 minute walk from the Montague St tram stop)

Blended delivery structure:

1. Induction & training commencement day

   • 6 hours | Face-to-face at the training centre | Held on Wednesdays

2. eLearning (with follow-up class)

   • 6 weeks | 1 x face-to-face class held on the Wednesday following induction

   Complete activities from home - or wherever suits you - at times that fit your schedule, with support and guidance from our team!

3. Classes

   • 8.30am-3:30pm, 2 days a week over 10 weeks (20 training days) | Face-to-face at the training centre

   Classes are held Mon-Tue or Thu-Fri, depending on the intake. Public holidays may occasionally require classes to be held on alternative days and cause extensions to the course duration.

4. Work placement (unpaid)

   • 35 hours (minimum), typically completed over 1-2 weeks | Scheduled on your behalf with one of LTT’s partner pathology providers

   Build your confidence and hone your skills working with real clients in a clinical setting! We endeavour to schedule placements to begin as soon as classes are complete. However, timing depends on the availability of positions with our industry partners and is subject to delays. | See FAQ for more information on placements →

• $3,900 - fee-for-service | Includes $400 deposit & $100 non-refundable administration fee payable upon enrolment (payment plans are available for the remaining balance)

  The total course fee is made up of a tuition fee of $3,550 and a clinical work placement fee of $350.

Credit transfers may reduce the course fee payable.

Course deferral fee: $150 | Placement rescheduling fee: $350 | Placement non-attendance fee (without medical certificate): $150 per make-up shift required

View our refund policy → | See FAQ for more information on payment plans →

Students are assessed on their performance in:

• Practical & written assessments

• Online learning modules

• A minimum of 20 live blood collections, conducted in simulated & actual clinical work environments

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive the HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection, bearing the Nationally Recognised Training logo. Should you withdraw before completing all course requirements (including mandatory work placement hours), you will be issued a Statement of Attainment for any units of competency achieved.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfer processes and information are available during application.

View student policies & forms → | View application guide →

Prior qualifications: Not required

Recommended computer literacy: Basic-to-intermediate

Students must:

• Complete a pre-training review (including a language, literacy and numeracy assessment) as part of the application and enrolment process.

• Hold a current Working With Children (WWC) check and supply the ID (or application number) during the application and enrolment process.

• Supply a current police clearance with no disclosable court outcomes, including ‘without conviction’ offences and offences that may have occurred up to 10 years ago.

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of work placement.

• Have access to an internet-connected computer. | See FAQ for more information on devices →

• Supply serology results showing immunity for hepatitis B or evidence of commencement of vaccination against hepatitis B (serology results showing immunity may later be required by pathology collection providers).

• Supply a flu vaccination record less than 12 months old.

• Supply evidence of COVID-19 vaccination.

• Comply with any relevant state government regulations regarding vaccinations that may be applicable during their training. | See FAQ for more information on vaccinations →

• Wear a blue polo shirt (supplied by LTT) and black pants or skirt during work placement; closed-in shoes throughout the course and work placement; and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as instructed during practical training.

• Undertake blood collection on peers during the course (students practice on classmates as well as friends and family who volunteer to attend class with the student).

• Complete all relevant eLearning tasks and upload any required documentation (including vaccination / immunity evidence) to be eligible to commence face-to-face training.

• Complete all face-to-face training days and required tasks; settle any outstanding course fees; and demonstrate sufficient skill in venous blood collection to be eligible for a work placement allocation.

Students are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of these requirements.

The course delivery and duration allows the average learner to demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed for clinical work placement, however some students may be required to attend additional training hours to practice and demonstrate competence.

There are a total of 14 units of competency in this qualification.

9 core units:

• BSBCUS201 Deliver a service to customers

• BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately

• CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services

• CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people

• HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control

• HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection

• HLTPAT002 Perform venous blood collections

• HLTPAT004 Collect pathology specimens other than blood

• HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety

5 elective units:

• CHCCOM001 Provide first point of contact

• HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems

• HLTAID011 Provide first aid

• HLTPAT005 Collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing

• HLTPAT006 Receive, prepare and dispatch pathology specimens