What’s it like to work as a phlebotomist during the novel coronavirus outbreak?
“Overall, I have to say my working experience is entirely positive - we employ
stringent infection prevention control protocols which make me feel safe,
secure and supported at work.
We sanitise anything that has been touched by the patient in the treatment room after every single patient and before the next patient is allowed in. This includes and is not limited to the pen the patient uses to sign Medicare declaration on the request form, the treatment chair, the tourniquet, the door handle to the room if patient uses it and so on. We clean the waiting room chairs, door handles, and bathrooms frequently. Gloves and hospital grade disinfectant are used for this purpose.
As we learnt in the HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection training at LTT, we treat every patient as infectious. We screen patients before they enter the treatment room, asking them if they've travelled in last 14 days. If they indicate that they have travelled during the last 14 days and are presenting for COVID-19 testing, they are told to leave immediately and are directed to one of the three COVID-19 clinics set up. If they're not presenting for COVID-19 testing but they have still travelled in last 14 days,
they are asked to go home immediately and call us to book a domiciliary pathology collector to go to their home.
Before allowing patients into the treatment room we look at the patient’s request form
to assess if GP has indicated any upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in clinical notes, which is a warning sign for us to take extra PPE precautions. If URTI is indicated without swab, i.e. just bloods, then we wear mask, glasses and gloves. If the GP is requesting a swab for URTI, then we wear full PPE (gloves, glasses, mask, gown) as per protocol for respiratory swabs.
We have been instructed to give any patient sitting in the waiting room a mask if they are coughing. It goes without saying that hand hygiene is imperative and is practised stringently. Washing hands with soap and water, plus use of hand sanitiser.
I am especially grateful to have studied both the infection prevention control and hand hygiene courses through LTT. They have prepared me brilliantly to know that I'm protecting myself and those I interact with as best as I possibly can during this coronavirus situation, both at work and elsewhere.
Although I am at the frontline of healthcare, working in pathology collection, I feel safe knowing I can control my work environment with regard to mitigating any potential infection risks by practising stringent infection prevention protocols, which you wouldn't necessarily be able to do in most other professional settings.
I believe I am making a significant difference as a health care worker during this time through my delivery of quality compassionate care. If patients are anxious and concerned about coronavirus (it's a frequent topic of conversation these days), I find that if I can deliver patient care with confidence and assuredness this helps make them feel more at ease. I always remind them that there is so much they can do to support themselves by practising good hand hygiene, paired with not touching their face and social distancing. Patients always leave feeling more relaxed, empowered and confident.”
– former LTT pathology collection student.
At LTT we specialise in pathology collection and laboratory operations training for individuals and workplaces. We focus on developing outstanding practical skills tailored to industry, so our students can become assets to current and future employers.
If you’re interested in a career in pathology collection or laboratory operations, call us on 1300 588 588, or fill out the form here.