Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:57 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:57 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Assist with pathology procedures
Assist with pathology procedures
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTPAT413D
HLTPAT413D
State Code
WD251
WD251
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
30/06/2014
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
30/06/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency covers the ability to assist health professionals with pathology procedures and collection of specimens from clients for pathology testing
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to assist with procedure
- 1.1 Identify precise nature and requirements of the pathology request
- 1.2 Identify collection or procedure site
- 1.3 Obtain and record relevant clinical information in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- 1.4 Ensure client is correctly and comfortably positioned and prepared for collection or procedure
- 1.5 Comply with pre-test criteria
- 1.6 Liaise with health professional concerning nature of assistance required
- 1.7 Select and prepare equipment and disposables and correct collection or specimen containers
- 1.8 Prepare collection or procedure site in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
2. Assist with performance of procedure
- 2.1 Maintain communication with health professional performing collection or procedure
- 2.2 Follow correct protocols for assisting with collection or procedure
- 2.3 Follow instructions from health professional
- 2.4 Follow correct infection control procedures throughout collection or procedure
- 2.5 Use personal protective equipment correctly
- 2.6 Hand equipment and disposables or other items to health professional as required
- 2.7 Use equipment correctly
- 2.8 Observe client during collection or procedure for possible adverse reactions
- 2.9 Assist with response to adverse reactions as directed
- 2.10 Follow organisation policy and procedures for safe handling of pathology specimens
3. Assist with post collection procedures
- 3.1 Dispose of waste in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- 3.2 Complete documentation
- 3.3 Check collection or procedure site to ensure bleeding has stopped, and is dressed appropriately
- 3.4 Ensure client is correctly positioned and made comfortable
- 3.5 Observe client during and on completion of collection or procedure and report adverse outcomes immediately to appropriate health professionals
- 3.6 Provide relevant information and instructions to client
- 3.7 Ensure client is left comfortable and notify appropriate staff so client's condition can be monitored
- 3.8 Label, store and transport pathology sample to laboratory in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Pathology request may:
Be in writing
Be made by a medical or authorised nurse practitioner
And must be in accordance with relevant legislation
Collection or procedure site may include:
A broad range of collections or procedures in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
Organisation policy and procedures may relate to:
Collection and documentation of client clinical information
Confidentiality of client information
Consent
Preparation for pathology collection procedures
Performance of pathology collection procedures
Infection control
work health and safety (WHS)
Specimen preparation, labelling, storage and transport
Maintenance of sample integrity
Documentation and recording keeping
Handling of waste
Collection procedure or collection of sample may relate to:
Pap smears
Frozen sections
Skin biopsy
Swabs
Bone marrow
Fine needle aspirates
skin scrapings
Mantoux tests
Arterial sampling
Allergy testing
Other procedures as per organisation policy and procedures or as required by an appropriate health professional
Pre-test criteria may relate to:
Dietary restrictions
Resting
Drug administration
Health professional may include:
Pathologist
Medical Practitioner
Medical Scientist
Other appropriate health professional
Equipment and disposables may include:
Swabs
Scalpel blades
Sterile containers
Needles
Syringe
Slides
Slide carrier
Punch biopsy
Arterial blood gas syringe
Pap smear kit
Alcohol wipes
Dressings
Infection control procedures may include:
Standard and additional precautions
Collection site preparation
Waste handling and disposal
Personal protective equipment may include:
Gloves
Gowns
Aprons
Masks
Protective eye wear
Waste may include:
Clinical waste
Cytotoxic waste
Sharps
General waste
Personal and confidential waste
Documentation may include:
Record of test procedures
Complete and sign request form
Medical record notation
Specimen labelling
Data entry
Appropriate staff may include:
Registered nurse
Nursing unit manager
Nursing staff in critical care or special care units
Medical practitioner
Collection centre staff
Pathology request may:
Be in writing
Be made by a medical or authorised nurse practitioner
And must be in accordance with relevant legislation
Collection or procedure site may include:
A broad range of collections or procedures in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
Organisation policy and procedures may relate to:
Collection and documentation of client clinical information
Confidentiality of client information
Consent
Preparation for pathology collection procedures
Performance of pathology collection procedures
Infection control
work health and safety (WHS)
Specimen preparation, labelling, storage and transport
Maintenance of sample integrity
Documentation and recording keeping
Handling of waste
Collection procedure or collection of sample may relate to:
Pap smears
Frozen sections
Skin biopsy
Swabs
Bone marrow
Fine needle aspirates
skin scrapings
Mantoux tests
Arterial sampling
Allergy testing
Other procedures as per organisation policy and procedures or as required by an appropriate health professional
Pre-test criteria may relate to:
Dietary restrictions
Resting
Drug administration
Health professional may include:
Pathologist
Medical Practitioner
Medical Scientist
Other appropriate health professional
Equipment and disposables may include:
Swabs
Scalpel blades
Sterile containers
Needles
Syringe
Slides
Slide carrier
Punch biopsy
Arterial blood gas syringe
Pap smear kit
Alcohol wipes
Dressings
Infection control procedures may include:
Standard and additional precautions
Collection site preparation
Waste handling and disposal
Personal protective equipment may include:
Gloves
Gowns
Aprons
Masks
Protective eye wear
Waste may include:
Clinical waste
Cytotoxic waste
Sharps
General waste
Personal and confidential waste
Documentation may include:
Record of test procedures
Complete and sign request form
Medical record notation
Specimen labelling
Data entry
Appropriate staff may include:
Registered nurse
Nursing unit manager
Nursing staff in critical care or special care units
Medical practitioner
Collection centre staff
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
Simulation of realistic workplace setting may be used for initial training and assessment
Collection equipment and disposables required for the range of pathology collections, for which assistance is provided of
Relevant personal protective equipment
Relevant waste disposal equipment
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Method of assessment may include:
Observation of performance
Written tasks
Interviewing and questioning
Computer-aided assessment
Formal appraisal systems
Staff/client feedback
Portfolio/CV
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice in the work environment
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit can be delivered and assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other pathology units of competency is encouraged
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
Simulation of realistic workplace setting may be used for initial training and assessment
Collection equipment and disposables required for the range of pathology collections, for which assistance is provided of
Relevant personal protective equipment
Relevant waste disposal equipment
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Method of assessment may include:
Observation of performance
Written tasks
Interviewing and questioning
Computer-aided assessment
Formal appraisal systems
Staff/client feedback
Portfolio/CV
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice in the work environment
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit can be delivered and assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other pathology units of competency is encouraged
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8412 | HLTPAT413C | Assist with pathology procedures | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J082 | HLT41812 | Certificate IV in Pathology | Qualification |