The Certificate III in Pathology Collection equips individuals with the necessary skills required to collect, handle, and transport blood and other specimens for diagnostic testing. The course covers areas such as specimen collection techniques, infection control and effective communication with patients. Graduates are prepared for roles as Pathology Collectors or Phlebotomists and can work in different healthcare settings, such as private and public pathology centres, hospitals, clinics, and client residences.

• Flexible Learning: Online theory classes with on-campus simulation workshops.
• Guaranteed Placement: Gain hands-on experience with professional placements.
• Monthly Intakes: New batches starting every month.
• Comprehensive Student Support: 24/7 access to resources, personalised guidance, and career support.
• Industry Connections: Network with healthcare leaders and gain real-world exposure.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Train with the latest equipment in modern learning environments.

14 units are required for award of this qualification including:

• 9 core units
• 5 elective units

CORE UNITS

ELECTIVES

Course Start Dates

Upon successful completion of the Certificate III in Pathology Collection, you will be qualified to work professionally as a:

• Pathology Specimen Collector
• Phlebotomist
• Pathology Specimen Receptionist/ Administrative assistant  

IHNA offers the HLT37215 – Certificate III in Pathology Collection. This course is suitable for those seeking a career as a pathology collector or phlebotomist.

Pathology Collectors play a critical role in healthcare by collecting biological specimens from patients, such as blood, urine, swabs, or other samples, to support diagnostic testing. Their duties include preparing patients by explaining procedures, following infection control protocols and collecting specimens with minimal discomfort. They handle, label, and prepare samples accurately for transportation. Additionally, they record patient and specimen details, ensuring accurate data entry into management systems. They also maintain and clean equipment and communicate with patients to provide reassurance and address any concerns.

In addition to these core duties, pathology collectors may also perform Electrocardiograms (ECGs), manage Holter monitors (portable devices for tracking heart rhythms), and work with teams conducting urine and drug screenings, following further training.

Pathways from this course: Students may progress to higher level courses within and/or across the community/health sector such as:

• Certificate III in Laboratory Skills.
• Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
• Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology)

(Blended: online real time theory tutorials with on campus skills training in a simulation environment)

20 contact hours will be delivered through synchronised online learning which includes on- campus simulation based training and Professional experience placement.

Besides the above structured learning, students are advised that they will be required to do approximate 10 hours per week of unstructured self-learning.

The delivery mode is subject to your eligibility to access state funding requirements and other conditions, please contact our admissions consultants to know more.

(For WA funding requirement only)

Students are expected to attend classes for a minimum of 2 days each week. For full-time studies, students must participate in at least 20 scheduled course contact hours weekly. This includes on-campus simulation-based assessments, which are a requirement of Western Australia’s Department of Training and Workforce Development.

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) is a mandatory component of the Certificate III in Pathology Collection qualification. IHNA guarantees PEP for all students who meet the required criteria outlined in the Entry Requirements. Students are required to complete 35 hours of practical placement under the supervision of a workplace supervisor at an approved facility.

During the PEP, students will apply essential knowledge and skills to demonstrate competency in each unit of the qualification. An IHNA trainer and assessor will monitor the student’s progress throughout the PEP. While IHNA arranges all PEPs, students may opt to arrange their own placement, subject to agreement and prior consultation with the course coordinator.

There are no mandatory entry requirements for this course; however, following IHNA admission criteria will be applicable:

IHNA Admission Requirements

• 18 years of age and above at the time of commencement of the course*
• Successful completion of an Australian Year 10 qualification or equivalent
• In addition to meeting the educational requirements applicants must demonstrate their competence in literacy and numeracy levels in an Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) at exit Level 3 and participate in a pre-training review when enrolling into the course.

^*Mature age students (22+) will also be considered without the minimum education requirements. Each case will be reviewed individually to ascertain the capacity of the student to meet course requirements.

Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are encouraged to apply.

Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND)

All IHNA students must complete the Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital (LLND) assessment to ensure that students meet the necessary requirements for successfully undertaking the course. IHNA administers the LLND test to evaluate each student’s suitability.

Digital Literacy

• Students should possess basic computer skills covering the most common usages of a computer, including managing computer files, word processing, using spreadsheets and databases; creating presentations; finding information and communicating using computers; and being aware of social and ethical implications of Internet use.
• Students should be in possession of their own laptops to facilitate the training and assessment.

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Requirements

• A National Police Clearance or Australian Federal Police (AFP) Clearance certificate
• Immunisation prior to undertaking Professional Experience Placement (PEP) in healthcare facilities
• Declaration of having a disability, disorder, or on any medication that will need reasonable adjustments to fulfil these requirements
• Working with Children Check (WWCC): Students may have the opportunity to work with patients under the age of 18. Before students are allowed to contact with minors, students need to obtain a WWCC check.

Our approach is to collect evidence on whether the student can perform to the standards of the workplace. This is based on the relevant unit of competency, and you’ll find these tools being used:

• Theory Assessments (TA)
• Knowledge Based Assessments (KBA)
• Simulation Based Assessments (SBA)
• Professional Experience Placement (PEP)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

With RPL we assess your competency based on formal, non-formal, informal learning or direct work experience based on the required skills of the course.

Credit Transfer(CT)

We use CT where you’ve completed units of study at another TAFE College or Registered Training Organisation that meet the requirements of another course. We grant credit according to the Certification, Issuing, and Recognition of Qualifications and Statements of Attainment. Assessing a CT is free.

If you’re eligible for RPL or CT you may be able to complete the course in a shorter duration with reduction to total course fees. Check your eligibility with us.

1. Application: Submit your online application by clicking “Enrol Now” on the top right corner of the course page.
2. Interview: Once you’ve met IHNA’s eligibility criteria you will be contacted for an interview with an admissions consultant
3. Offer Letter: If you’re successful with the interview you will be offered a place for the course as per the availability of each intake.
4. Enrolment Fee: After signing the offer acceptance an invoice will be issued for the course. You may be eligible for government funding, so please call our team to know more.
5. Confirmation of Admission: We will issue a conformation of admission once the enrolment fee has been received.

Call us on 1800 22 52 83 for any questions regarding your application.

• How long it will take to complete this course?
  

  The course will take 6-12 months to complete depending on you finishing your classes/ assessments on time and completing the placement.

• How the classes are delivered? Is it online? Is there any flexibility attending class?
  

  Yes, all the theory classes are delivered online,The first 5 units SBA’s are online as well, then 9 units SBA’s will be delivered in campus.

• Can I complete the course fully online? 
  

  No, it is blended.

• Is there any pre-recorded session?
  

  Yes, it’s available.

• Is there any problem, if I missed 01 – 02-hour session?
  

  It is not encouraged on a regular basis, as your attendance will be affected and you will not be marked for the unit.

• What is the reason for offering the SBA (Simulation based assessment) online? Are there any distinctions between online and on-campus versions of the SBA?
  

  The initial 5 units, including KBA and TA, are delivered online, followed by 9 units of theoretical study online, and the SBA is then carried out in a simulated environment, as specified in the training package. This means that skills must be exhibited in a workplace setting, supplemented by simulations and scenarios where the complete range of circumstances and situations may not have been provided in the actual workplace.

• Who are the people who attend the Simulation Based Assessment sessions?
  

  The teachers and students.

• Do we have recorded lectures, and can full-fee-paying students access them in order to reach SBA faster than funding students?
  

  Yes, we have recorded sessions, which are available on the Microsoft Teams page, where our students take classes online. Full fees paying students can fast track the course, while those students availing government funding must meet all the requirements given by the relevant funding bodies.Full-fee paying students can see recordings and complete their Knowledge Based Assessments and Theory assessments faster, but the Simulation Based Assessment requires an educator, so we don’t do these for one student at a time, SBA’s are re done in group of 5 to 8 students so that all students in the group can learn together by supporting each other with the support of an educator.

• Will theory classes be held during simulation?
  

  There are no theory lectures, but we do go through theory assessments as well as SBA; most of our SBAs are only about 2 hours long, so there is no need for a break

• How frequently do we send students for clinical placement, and what is the time gap between class sessions and sending students for placements?
  

  Once course is completed, IHNA organise placement and students go for 1 week of clinical placements.

• What is the duration for assessment marking?
  

  Assessments are marked daily, by IHNA trainers and educators. This will help students to fast track the course.

• Does each campus in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth have the same clinical placement or simulation-based assessment facilities?
  

  Yes, Our IHNA campuses has an industry class simulated lab with all of the necessary equipment to study Certificate III Pathology collection. Our trainers have industry experience and can provide you with all the assistance you need to complete this course at your plan.

• How long does it take to get the result, what happens after the results are published, and how long does it take to issue a certificate?
  

  Once the placement is completed and the student has completed all required documents and assessments, IHNA will award the certificates within 4 weeks.