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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Elements define the essential outcomes
  2. Draw blood
  3. Greet client and confirm pre-test criteria
  4. Prepare for venous blood collection procedure
  5. Follow post-blood collection procedures

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 35 hours of pathology collection work under the supervision of a person currently working in a phlebotomist role for at least 18 hours per fortnight

followed established technical, infection control and safety procedures and collected blood suitable for testing using venous blood collection with a maximum of two attempts from at least 20 different people comprising adults of varied ages

used the following methods of collection:

evacuated system (at least 10 times)

winged infusion sets and/or needle and syringe as per organisation policy and procedure


Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations for blood collection, and how these are applied in organisations:

children in the workplace

duty of care

informed consent

mandatory reporting

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

supportive holding for procedures (limitations)

work role boundaries

blood collection role in different contexts

sources of blood sample requests

work health and safety

standard infection control requirements for clinical procedures:

hand hygiene

use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

avoiding contact with bodily fluids

sharps injury prevention and treatment if sustained

waste disposal

industry terminology used in blood collection:

equipment

procedures

abbreviations

blood test names

appropriate venepuncture sites

clinical history and medication details

key aspects of human anatomy and physiology in relation to the vascular, arterial and nervous system and relevant to the variety of blood collection procedures and collection sites

components of blood in relation to quality blood samples and pre-analytical error:

serum plasma

red cells

white cells

platelets

clinical risks of blood collection procedures and procedures designed to minimise those risks

collection procedure factors which contribute to a quality sample collection and impact on laboratory testing

pre-analytical factors which may affect the chemical analysis of blood and impact on collection:

appropriate times to collect

impact of drugs

timing of last dose

required fasting times

protecting the integrity of the specimen

features, functions and use of venepuncture equipment:

evacuated systems – multi-sample needles and winged infusion sets

needles and syringes

tourniquets

cleansing solutions and swabs

collection tubes

blood sample handling, processing, transit and storage methods

requirements for selection and collection into tubes with variable additives:

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

sodium citrate

lithium/sodium heparin

fluoride oxalate

separation gel

blood culture bottles