The COVID-19 Collection skill set will give you the skills and knowledge required to collect, prepare and dispatch a pathology specimen for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing — a technique used to copy small segments of DNA to diagnose and infections such as COVID-19.
The skills you gain are highly transferrable, with PCR used in a number of laboratory and clinical techniques including DNA fingerprinting, detection of bacteria, and diagnosis of genetic disorders. You will be job ready for working in hospitals or outpatient clinics, GP clinics and specialist rooms, home collection services and other public and private healthcare settings.
This course remains FEE FREE in 2024! No course fees apply!
This skill set contains the following nationally recognised unit/s of competency.
| Unit code | Unit title |
|---|---|
| HLTINF001 | Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures |
| HLTPAT004 | Collect pathology specimens other than blood |
| HLTPAT006 | Receive, prepare and dispatch pathology specimens |
In vocational education and training (VET), a skill set is a short course that's developed by choosing individual units of competency from a full qualification (or qualifications) that target a specific set of skills and knowledge, to meet the needs of industry or a particular job role.
The units of competency in a skill set are nationally accredited and recognised.
This means that when you successfully complete a skill set, you will receive a Statement of Attainment as an official record. This verifies that you have completed those units, so that you can receive credit for them should you continue on to further study.
Skill sets are also used to upskill workers for specific skills and knowledge required for their job; or in situations where a full qualification is not required.
The units in this skill set may lead to the reduced-fee qualifications listed below, and others that allow selection of these units.
Lower fees, local skills: Course fees reduced by half or more- Certificate III in Pathology Collection
- Certificate II in Health Support Services
- Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
- Diploma of Nursing
It's important that you choose the best possible training option, to suit your needs. The good news is that there's something for everyone — whether you're just starting out and seeking your first job; skilling up for a career change or promotion, or whatever your situation... but getting some good advice is always a good idea.
Your local Jobs and Skills Centre offers professional information, advice and support for all things training, jobs and careers, and all their services are 100% free!
Centres are located across Perth and through regional WA — you can call your local JSC on 13 64 64 for a chat, or use our map to find your closest centre and drop in for a visit.
Choose a WA TAFE college that delivers this course
To find out more about doing this course at a WA TAFE college, select one of the TAFEs listed below to read their course descriptions. You'll also be able to see at which TAFE campus/es the course is delivered.
If you would like further information such as when the course is available and how to enrol, and details of course fees, or if you have questions about how the course is delivered, please follow the Find out more link to go to the TAFE's website where you will find full course details and contact information so that you can speak to the TAFE directly.
The COVID-19 Collection skill set will give you the skills and knowledge required to collect, prepare and dispatch a pathology specimen for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing — a technique used to copy small segments of DNA and to diagnose infections such as COVID-19.
This training will get you job ready for working in hospitals or outpatient clinics, GP clinics and specialist rooms, home collection services and other public and private healthcare settings equip you with the skills and knowledge to. It includes learning to work in compliance with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
The skills you gain are highly transferrable, with PCR used in a number of laboratory and clinical techniques including DNA fingerprinting, detection of bacteria, and diagnosis of genetic disorders. Your skills can also be used for the collection of pathology specimens in anthropological and forensic examination, which could be a pathway into a range of interesting work areas including forensic and criminal sciences.
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
Choose a private training provider that delivers this course
This course is available from registered training organisations (accredited private training providers) that are also funded through Jobs and Skills WA. Select from the list below, and follow the link to the provider's website for further information about the course and how to enrol.
The COVID-19 Collection Skill Set is a compressive program designed to equip participants with the skills to safely and efficiently take swabs for COVID-19 testing. Students will develop skills and knowledge to follow organisational infection prevention and control procedures, including implementing standard and transmission-based precaution and responding to infection risks. Training focuses on confirming collection requirements, preparing client and equipment, performing pathology specimen collections, receiving specimens, completing the administrative process to prepare samples for pathology testing, and dispatching specimens. This Skill Set is run at the Training Centre for Job Seekers under the Participation - Work Readiness program, and under the Priority Industry Training program to upskill existing workers in the workplace.
Delivery location
The information presented on the course lists within this website is provided to the Department of Training and Workforce Development by the WA TAFE colleges and private training providers, and is offered as a guide only. It is updated regularly, however some changes to details may occur in between updates. You should always contact the TAFE or private training provider directly to confirm details and/or ask questions.