Pathology is often a misunderstood area of study. More than just the crime-related work you see on TV, there are numerous tasks and important jobs that pathology collectors perform that impact daily life around us. Studying pathology collection is an ideal path for those seeking a rewarding career and who are good problem solvers who love to learn.
All Health Training provides students with the necessary education and training to pursue a career in pathology collection. Offering career growth and stability, we'll explore how a Certificate III in Pathology Collection (HLT37215) could set you up for the future.
What Is the Field of Pathology Collection?
Pathology is one of the fastest growing and ever-changing careers today. As better knowledge of human genetics becomes available, the field of pathology continues to expand. This is a field that studies human genetics in numerous ways, such as its role in the diagnosis of disease, aiding in treatment development and research with the goal of developing medical breakthroughs that save lives. Here are some of the ways that pathology and pathology collection has a significant impact on health:
- Early pathology detection saves lives
100% of cancer is diagnosed by pathology. We may never meet the people working in laboratories but they are a critical part of our healthcare system. - Your pathology journey starts 48 hours from birth
Every Australian receives their first pathology test just days after they're born. Testing babies so early is essential so doctors know as soon as possible if a baby is in need of extra care. - Pathology provides answers
1 in 2 Australian's had a Pathology test last year. Results from pathology tests, including blood tests and biopsies, give doctors critical information to correctly diagnose and treat their patients. - Pathology testing is vital for chronic diseases
From diagnosis to management and monitoring treatment, pathology tests give GPs, specialists and allied health professionals the answers they need to help treat you.
On top of these, pathology is also the study of the unknown. New ideas, components of genetics, and understandings of health continue to occur. This creates new ways for people to solve problems and create solutions to complex health conditions.
Pathology is not a career that involves spending countless hours alone in a lab looking at blood samples under intense pressure. Rather, people work together, often spending hours discussing and working to develop ideas and solutions to improve human health. For those that enjoy science and hope to achieve a career that offers a meaningful contribution to life, pathology collection could be the ideal opportunity.
What Type of Careers Could You Have in Pathology Collection?
Those intrigued by what they could learn in a pathology collection course may wonder what type of job they could have after completion. Pathology is not a singular career. It's a path that offers a wide range of opportunities based on interests and availability of positions.
Careers in pathology include many of the following tasks:
- customer service,
- pathology collection techniques,
- phlebotomy (blood collection),
- infection control,
- work health and safety,
- medical terminology,
- visiting clients in their place of residence
- electrocardiography (ECG)
What Is Pathology Collection?
Those who complete pathology collection courses have many potential career opportunities. In short, these individuals play a vital role in the collection of pathology samples from patients in Pathology Collection centres - you may have been to one for a routine blood check before! Pathology collection clinics could include collection of samples such as urine, blood, swabs, and faeces. This is done according to a very specific protocol to allow for the proper management of those samples for evaluation.
Individuals who work in pathology collection will also take all steps to ensure proper communication and delivery of those samples to ensure they can be managed properly for safety. They prepare the samples for couriers to take them to the lab for analysis.
Work environment for pathology collections
Those working in pathology collection may be able to hold various positions in the field, depending on what interests them and which skills they hold. Positions may differ based on location as well.
A Collection Centre Pathology Collector
A person that collects samples from patients in collection centres, such as labs. These locations are typically standalone facilities. Sometimes they are a part of a medical centre. They typically welcome patients into the centre for screenings. Then, the screening results are sent to the requesting doctor for further analysis and treatment.
Domiciliary Pathology Collectors
A role of pathology collectors is to collect samples from patients within their homes. They may also go to patients who are within aged care facilities or other institutions that do not have the staffing to provide this type of care to them. These individuals typically work in a very private and highly personal job, as they are entering the patient's home to provide care because they are not able to visit a centre to do so.
Hospital Pathology Collectors
These pathology collectors go from room to room to collect samples from patients who are inpatient or in emergency treatment centres. They then take those samples directly to the lab for processing.
No matter the field, individuals who have the necessary skills for this type of work, are very much in demand. These services help to free up nurses and doctors to handle other tasks while ensuring that the work of collecting samples is done in a very sterilised and protected manner. This helps ensure the best possible outcome for that point.
There are many other types of collectors such as drugs of abuse testing collectors, covid-19 testers, medical research collectors and more.
What to Expect from a Pathology Collection Course
If you are interested in this type of high-demand career path, you may wish to learn more about the pathology collection courses available to you through All Health Training. Our program is designed to provide you with all of the skills and knowledge you need to work in this position in virtually any setting.
Earning a Certificate III in Pathology Collection (HLT37215) is one of the most rewarding paths. Here is more about what you can expect if you pursue this path for your education.
What does the course teach?
This is more than a blood taking course. Rather, those who complete the Cert 3 Pathology Collection course we offer will learn much more. They will learn the skills necessary to work in any area of the industry including in doctor clinics, hospitals, and within the private sector. Some of the areas students will learn include the following.
- Infection control skills
- Pathology collection methods
- Hands-on training in collection techniques (live bleeds in simulated collection rooms, yes that's right, not just on a fake arm!)
- Customer service and patient care
- Phlebotomy, blood collection, specimens other than blood collection (e.g. saliva, urine, skin scrapings and more) methods
- Medical terminology related to this field
- Workplace health and safety procedures
- Electrocardiography, ECG, for heart rhythm screenings
Within these pathology courses, students learn not just how to obtain samples but also how to work with patients in a proper and professional manner. That includes how to visit a patient's home or workplace to collect samples safely.
What do you need to do to take a pathology collection course?
There are some requirements to enter into a Cert III pathology collection program. Our program at All Health Training is an open-entry program. It requires individuals to have the necessary skills in reading, writing, and communication to work in the field.
The entry requirements into the field, students need to:
- Complete a Language, Literacy & Numeracy skills (LLN) evaluation to ensure they are qualified for the position
- Take a Pre-Training Review to determine eligibility
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Complete police checks prior to completing practical placement portions of the course
- Obtain a volunteer Working with Children’s check (WWC) prior to placement
- Have proper computer skills and digital literacy
- Have proper immunisations as required - Flu vaccination, COVID-19 Vaccination (min. 3 doses)
What are some of the subjects that you may complete in a pathology collection course?
Those who enrol in the Cert III pathology collection course at All Health Training will study a number of topics and units of competency. The core units include subjects such as:
- Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriate
- Communicate and work in health or community services
- Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
- Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
- Work with diverse people
- Participate in workplace health and safety
- Collection of pathology specimens other than blood
- Deliver a service to customers
- First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
In addition to this, students may also choose to undertake additional courses on offer that interest them and provide them with additional knowledge in the field to further career opportunities. This could include learning how to collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing and more.
Why Pursue Pathology Collection Courses?
If you are a school graduate or perhaps a mature aged individual looking to undertake a career change, who is ready to find a career that is meaningful but also in a stable environment, completing a pathology course like this could be the ideal opportunity.
The All Health Training program only takes 22 weeks to complete, or 21 weeks of just evening courses consisting of practical training.
If All Health Training’s Certificate III in Pathology Collection (HLT37215) sounds appealing to you, then the quickest way to find out more is to book a chat. We can answer any questions that you might have about the course itself or the options open to you after completion.
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT