The Future of Australian Phlebotomists and Pathology Assistants – UPDATES 2013
Myself, a number of members and 3 of our SCLs were able to attend the industry updates meetings held recently in Brisbane and Sydney. While changes to the industry and in particular the training are still under discussion, there seems to be overwhelming agreeance from industry that a number of things need to be tightened up, particularly around training.
A couple of the major changes being recommended are:
- The evacuated system is to be considered the preferred method of collection and considered best practice. Needle and syringe will become a minor collection method and in many cases and organisations will cease. New collectors should be taught on the evacuated system.
- All assessment of collection staff must include it being conducted in a “real workplace on real patients”. This will require a range of patients (exact number TBA). Simulated workplaces will remain for training purposes but final competency will be conducted in real workplaces.
- Restructuring and streamlining and perhaps repositioning of the Certificate III in Pathology. The discussion regarding whether the certificate IV remains is also under discussion.
Please note these changes are not final and will be guided strongly by the DoHA report (see previous emails and the website).
There will be two opportunities for public discussion, draft 1 will be around July 2013, and draft 2 in March 2014. The project timeline is June 2015.
We will be having update sessions on both issues at our National conferences- where what the changes will mean to you can be discussed.
To get involved:
There are a two ways to do this:
1: contact the CSHISC via their website:
https://www.cshisc.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=915&Itemid=962&limit=1&limitstart=1
2: write directly to APAN by sending us an email with an outline of your feedback and suggested improvements/ changes to
admin@apan.com.au
and we will ensure it is passed onto the appropriate people.
If you would like further information regarding the changes please contact us at admin@apan.com.au with a return email or phone number and we would be happy to let you know what is happening.
One Response to The Future of Australian Phlebotomists and Pathology Assistants – UPDATES 2013
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The proposed recommendation regarding final competency being granted after a work placement needs to be a decision made in collaboration with Pathology Providers and the RTOs (both public and private).
Pathology Providers need to be receptive and willing to facilitate these work placements in order to develop an equitable system and ensure a steady supply of new skilled pathology collectors entering the workforce.
I work for a private RTO and we are struggling to find a Pathology Provider who will accept our students into a one-week work placement, despite these students being deemed competent in performing ‘live bleeds’.
If Pathology Providers won’t accept these students, thus blocking them from receiving final competency at pathology collectors, who will staff their collection centres?