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QUALIFICATION

Certificate III in Pathology Collection


 National Code: HLT37215
 TAFE SA Code: TP00819Fee Free


2025 start

Description

Develop the skills to collect blood and other pathology specimens.
Learn to draw blood and collect other pathology specimens including ECG’s and all skills and knowledge required to work as a pathology specimen collector.
As a pathology collector, you could work in a range of fascinating roles in a hospital or collection centre. You may also travel to the homes of patients who need this vital service.

Award Course Apprenticeships & Traineeships
Duration
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6 months 

Full Time or Part Time equivalent

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Locations & Applications

Competitive Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Adelaide City

Closed

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply on Mon 4 Aug 2025
Gilles Plains

Closed

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply on Mon 4 Aug 2025
Noarlunga

Closed

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply on Mon 4 Aug 2025

Icon Legend

On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course

Existing Worker Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Adelaide City

Closed

Workplace Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Part Time Part Time
Day Only
Apply on Mon 4 Aug 2025

Icon Legend

On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

  • You must be working in pathology collection environment
If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course

Please Read Before Applying

Entry Recommendations
You will need to be proficient in speaking, reading and writing English. Current workers in pathology collection can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning after enrolment.

Attendance Requirements (subject to change)
Full time students attend classes for 1-2 days a week

Industry Conditions and Skills
You will need good written and spoken communication skills,the capacity to be calm and empathetic; accuracy, attention to detail and a steady hand; the ability to follow instructions and procedures accurately and work under pressure.

Additional Uniforms, Equipment and Costs

  • TAFE SA polo shirt, $33.00

Vocational Placements
You will need to complete vocational placement for a minimum of 35 hours to complete this course. To make sure that you are able to be placed, you will need to provide the required clearances and checks by the date advised.

Mandatory Requirements
Many health care facilities including SA Health, residential aged care, and dental clinics require students and other health care workers to provide a National Police check and evidence of immune status. If you do not comply with any of these requirements, you may not be able to take your vocational placement and complete this course.

Fees

Total Fees for the 6 month course
Subsidised
$3,085
Concession
$2,068
You may be eligible for government subsidised training.
Subsidised Training Eligibility
Subsidised training may require applicants to complete a Core Skills Profile Assessment (CSPA).
What is the CSPA?

This course is part of the Fee Free TAFE initiative. Fee Free TAFE and vocational education is a joint initiative of the Australian and South Australian Governments providing tuition-free training places to students wanting to train, retrain or upskill. The eligibility check below is an indication only and does not confirm your eligibility status. Eligibility verification will take place before the enrolment process and may include participation in a Language, Literacy and Numeracy pre-assessment. The number of Fee Free TAFE places that are funded is limited by the terms of the skills agreement signed by the Australian and South Australian Governments. Should all available Fee Free TAFE places be taken, subsequent applicants will be offered a subsidised place.

Fee Free Training Eligibility
Full Fee
$4,611

  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

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    Payment Plan

    If you have difficulty paying your fees upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    This qualification reflects the role of pathology collectors. Pathology Collectors are employed in a variety of settings. They may be employed by a specific health care provider or by an organisation that specialises in pathology collection, storage and transport. It should be noted that this qualification does not cover collection of a range of specimens for specialised testing or collection of arterial blood gases.

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Certificate III in Pathology Collection (HLT37215)
    This course covers communication, working with diverse people, infection prevention and control, clinical risk, blood collection, specimen collection other than blood, workplace safety, customer service and medical terminology. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 9 core units and 5 elective units plus you must have completed at least 35 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control 35
    Collect pathology specimens other than blood 45
    Communicate and work in health or community services 30
    Deliver a service to customers 40
    Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection 35
    Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately 60
    Participate in workplace health and safety 20
    Perform venous blood collections 100
    Work with diverse people 40

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Perform electrocardiography (ECG) 90
    Provide First Aid 18
    Recognise healthy body systems 70
    Visit client residence 50
    Work legally and ethically 55

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Certificate III in Pathology Collection
TP00819
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