Claudia, a graduate of LTT’s HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection, has a background in biomedical science and is in the penultimate year of her undergraduate degree.
“I have always had an innate interest in pathology – pre-analytical, as well as the laboratory side of it all which was satiated through my university studies. Studying phlebotomy would also give me additional skills and experience in a clinical setting which will be highly complementary to my main aspiration of studying medicine and becoming a doctor. I have heard that doctors are notoriously bad at collecting bloods so I look forward to reversing that stereotype.
I found the course through a Google search, but really I first heard about it through word of mouth. I was having my bloods collected at a Clinipath collection centre and complimented my specimen collector on how gentle her venepuncture technique was. I asked her where she studied her course as I was interested in it myself. She said that she had studied at LTT in Osborne Park and students from there have a great reputation in the industry.”
Before studying with LTT, Claudia was working as a private tutor.
“I got a call from the coordinator for PathWest at Royal Perth Hospital. She called me in for an interview, asked me to do a bleed on a dummy arm and asked me some further questions. She offered me the job on the spot! They do things quite differently at PathWest. There is a little bit of additional training they like to provide us with which seem like some exciting opportunities. It was really helpful to have already completed the hand hygiene training module which was good, so thank you.
The job I am doing now is currently based at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, which is probably the best possible situation I could have asked for, I might be moving to the outpatients clinic at Fiona Stanley Hospital shortly, but I am waiting to hear back. I am working with a great little team and it has included some girls that were recently hired from LTT too.
We’ve all had a go going on the wards and I think that since getting this job we have all learned a lot and improved our skills very rapidly. Thank you Lauren and Amanda, you both have helped me out so much and I owe so much to the LTT team for giving me the skills and right attitude to have a successful career in phlebotomy. It has been amazing.
I am aspiring to continue working casually with PathWest for as long as possible. My future plan is to finish my undergrad degree, study medicine, and then become a doctor. This path takes a long time and working as a phlebotomist while continuing my studies is an excellent option in that it is highly rewarding and giving me clinical experience that will only help me later in my career.”