Certificate III in Pathology Collection

HLT37215

Length

6 Months (full time)

Location

Shepparton - Fryers Street, Wangaratta - Docker Street

Study Mode

On Campus

Certificate III in Pathology Collection - HLT37215

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Course Overview

Become a vital member of the healthcare team with our comprehensive qualification in pathology collection. As pathology collectors, individuals play a crucial role in assisting with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases by collecting and processing specimens.

Our program is designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge they need to follow known routines and procedures, and take responsibility for their work under general supervision. Students will combine communication, customer service, and technical skills, and use discretion and judgment to adapt and transfer their skills to different situations.

To achieve this qualification, candidates must have completed at least 35 hours of placement as detailed in the 'Course Details' section.

Careers & study pathways

Where can this course take me?

Roles graduates may be eligible for include:

Specimen Collection Officer
Laboratory Aide
Pathology Collector
Pathology Assistant
Specimen Reception Assistant
Operational Officer

Further study

After graduating, participants might like to undertake further study in the:

Course details

Upcoming dates and times

Choose a location below to learn more about when this course is offered and on which days you’ll need to attend.

Shepparton - Fryers Street

(1 commencing soon)

Starts On: 21-Jul-2025 - Full time - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus - Applications Close: 14-Jul-2025

Wangaratta - Docker Street

(1 commencing soon)

Starts On: 21-Jul-2025 - Full time - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus - Applications Close: 14-Jul-2025

Study units

Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.

This course requires a total of 14 units: 9 core and 5 elective.

Core units

9 unit(s)

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

Elective units

5 unit(s)

CHCCCS020 Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
HLTCAR001 Perform electrocardiography (ECG)
HLTPAT006 Receive, prepare and dispatch pathology specimens

Attendance & commitment

General public face-to-face delivery | 6 months course length | Full-time study load

Students are expected to:

Attend on-campus classes three days per week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm).
Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
Complete 35 hours of placement, as outlined in the placement details below.

Placement

Practical placement is organised by GOTAFE.
A practical placement agreement is entered into between GOTAFE, the student, and the host provider and is signed before the commencement of placement.
35 hours of mandated placement occurs in one block, over a two-week period. Placement may involve shift work and hours will vary, depending on the placement host's requirements.
Students may need to travel throughout Regional Victoria.
Students are required to wear a GOTAFE polo shirt on placement.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods may include:

Short answer questions
Quizzes
Simulation
Workbooks
Practical demonstrations

Before you begin

Entry requirements

GOTAFE entry requirements

Before being accepted into this course applicants must:

Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
Hold a current Working with Children Check (Volunteer).
Hold a Valid Police Check, dated within 6 months.
Students entering this course must be immunised against:
- Hepatitis B
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Boostrix COVID vaccine x 3
- COVID19 Vaccine & booster (recommended)

Inherent requirements

Applicants should have good communication skills and the ability to work and interact in small teams and independently.
Applicants should be able to comprehend and interpret written information (procedures, instruction manuals, safety documentation) and problem-solve when information is out of the expected results, including identifying potential causes.
Basic digital literacy and numeracy are required and applicants should have the physical stamina to stand for long periods of time.

Student resources

Students will need:

A laptop/computer with internet access.
Access to a digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
A GOTAFE polo shirt.
Recommended textbooks:
- McCALL & TANKERSLEY. Phlebotomy essentials. 7th ed
- McCALL & TANKERSLEY. Student workbook for phlebotomy essentials. 7th ed

Enrolment

Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government-subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:

Aspirations/career goals
Educational attainment and capability
Literacy and numeracy skills
Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer

Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.

You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:

Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.

Fees and payments

Fees and costs

GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.

1. Subsidised Standard

$3,955.00

2. Subsidised Standard (Concession)

$791.00

3. Full Fee

$9,517.00

Course Materials

$309.00

Student Services Fees (per year)

$100.00

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.

Please note that the fees on this webpage, for this particular course:

are correct at the time of publishing for those enrolling in 2025 and may change without notice.
will be discussed with applications as part of the application process to ensure it is understood what is being paid for and which fee rates they may be eligible for.

Course Fees consist of three different components:

Student Tuition Fee - covers the costs of training and assessment. These fees vary across courses and are calculated based on a rate per nominal hour enrolled in. The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Circumstances may include:
1. an individual’s eligibility for Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
2. an individual’s eligibility for concession rates on Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
3. ineligible individuals who are required to pay the full fees for tuition and other costs.
Material Fee - where applicable, cover the costs of classroom consumables, handouts and booklets, e-Learning resources and associated license access fees and excursions.
Student Services Fee (SSF) – contributes to the provision of student engagement, learning and support services. SSF is a non-refundable annual fee that does not apply to short-course participants.

Additionally, some courses require students to purchase or supply textbooks, kits, tools, uniforms and personal protection equipment. Some specific materials may be purchased through the GOTAFE Bookshop. A full list with associated costs will be provided to you at your course information session, induction session, or during the pre-training review interview.

GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your fees.
Learn more about fees, charges, refunds and payment options

Student support

As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.

Learning support

A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your english language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.

Learn more about our learning support services

Library

Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.

Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton

Jobs and study options

Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.

Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres

Contingent Study Arrangements

Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.

Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.

Support for personal issues

We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.

Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you

Disability support

Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.

Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors

Counselling services

We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.

Learn about our Student Wellbeing Advisors

Koorie Unit

The Koorie Unit is a culturally safe space on our Shepparton Fryers Street Campus for all Koorie students enrolled and studying through GOTAFE, or with one of our education partnering organisations.

Learn how the Koorie Unit can support your studies

Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.

Further information is provided at course induction.

This course is government accredited and has national recognition.

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