Course description
If you want to work as a pathology collector, this is the course for you. We will teach you how to take blood samples, various swabs and electrocardiograms for patients requiring pathology tests. The course includes performing live bleeds in class and on work placement, giving you the hands-on skills to succeed in industry. You will learn infection control, first aid, WHS principles, how to prepare samples for testing, as well as communication and customer service skills, enabling you to commence work in a growing industry.
As part of this course you will participate in reciprocal blood collection with fellow students to develop your skills in venepuncture. You are required to successfully collect blood in class on a minimum of 25 occasions over 15-week course, prior to completing a 35 hour placement in industry. This will require the participation in around 40-45 bleeds for each student as a collector and volunteering as a patient for fellow students. This is a small quantity of blood over the period, but students with health conditions that may not allow them to volunteer for this procedure should contact The Gordon to discuss their condition and seek medical approval to participate prior to applying for this course.
Work placement/industry experience
Gordon TAFE organises the student’s practical placement. 35 hours of work placement is required to successfully complete this qualification. Placement is not paid work and students will not receive payment for undertaking practical placement. A current Police Check is required; it must be in the year you attend your placement. Students will also need Hepatitis B immunisation and must be triple vaccinated against COVID-19 to undertake the work placement component of the course that is delivered in the industry. Evidence of this is required as part of the student placement documentation which is provided to placement facilities. Students that cannot provide valid evidence will not be able to complete placement and, therefore, unable to complete this course. *Please note that you may be required to travel outside of your usual training location to attend placement. This may include other regional areas or suburbs of Melbourne.
Possible career outcomes
- Pathology specimen collector (Phlebotomist)
- Laboratory assistant
- Various positions within the Healthcare industry
Wondering if this industry will suit you?
We have created a very short course quiz to help you gain a little more understanding of what is required and whether you might enjoy a role in this industry. Take the quiz here.
Applications & attendance
Applications for this course are not currently open.
Please contact customer service on 1300 769 279 during business hours to discuss upcoming intake dates.
| Intake | Applications | Attendance | Classes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 April Geelong City Campus |
Open: 14 Jan 2025 Close: 19 Mar 2025 |
Class Day | Full Time Mon, Tue, Wed 9 am - 3.30 pm |
Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.
Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.
An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course.
Many courses have limited spots and may fill quickly, so apply early and ensure your application is fully completed, as only successful applicants will receive offers, issued as soon as possible. If numbers are low, intakes or courses may be cancelled.
Entrance requirements
- Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3.
- Applicants must be 18 years and over at the time of course commencement.
- You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.
Work placement requirements
- Applicants are required to undergo a Police Check for work placement.
- Applicants must provide Covid vaccination, Hepatitis B vaccination and yearly Influenza vaccination evidences.
Personal Learning Requirements
There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.
Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.
Pre-training review
Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.
Selection mode
We receive a high number of applications for this course, with only limited places available. When submitting an application you are not guaranteed an offer. Make sure you submit your application on time and aim to make your application really count! Applicants are assessed individually and offers extended accordingly.
Units & assessments
| Core Units | Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control | HLTINF006 | 35 |
| Collect pathology specimens other than blood | HLTPAT004 | 45 |
| Communicate and work in health or community services | CHCCOM005 | 30 |
| Deliver a service to customers | BSBCUS201 | 40 |
| Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection | HLTPAT001 | 35 |
| Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately | BSBMED301 | 60 |
| Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately | BSBMED301 | 0 |
| Participate in workplace health and safety | HLTWHS001 | 20 |
| Perform venous blood collections | HLTPAT002 | 100 |
| Work with diverse people | CHCDIV001 | 40 |
| Elective Units | Code | Hours |
| Perform electrocardiography (ECG) | HLTCAR001 | 90 |
| Provide First Aid | HLTAID011 | 18 |
| Receive, prepare and dispatch pathology specimens | HLTPAT006 | 15 |
| Recognise healthy body systems | HLTAAP001 | 70 |
| Visit client residence | CHCCCS027 | 50 |
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.
Assessment is based on:
- Verbal/oral testing
- Short answer online test
- Simulated role play
- Practical demonstration
- Work placement
Fees
| Fees | Rate | Unit | Indicative Course Hours | Indicative Tuition | Indicative Gov Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concession Tuition | AUD $0.80 | per hour | 648 | AUD $518.00 | AUD $5,850.00 |
| Standard Tuition | AUD $4.02 | per hour | 648 | AUD $2,605.00 | AUD $5,850.00 |
| Full Fee Tuition | AUD $13.80 | per hour | 648 | AUD $8,942.00 |
| Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resources | AUD $280.00 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Education Levy | AUD $97.20 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Materials | AUD $535.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
| Administrative fee | AUD $400.00 | Once | charged at enrolment | ||
All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.
Which fee will I pay?
Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.
Fee help
Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.
Further study options
- MSL40122 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.