Commissioners Information Bulletin 355
Issued: 16 May 2008

Health Services - Amended Vocational Training Order for the recognised traineeship vocation of Health Services - Pathology

At the request of the NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB), the Commissioner for Vocational Training under section 6 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001, has varied the existing Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the recognised traineeship vocation of Health Services by amending the name of the vocation to Health Services - Pathology and by replacing two qualifications with one new qualification.

HLT07 HEALTH TRAINING PACKAGE

HLT30102 and HLT31202 have been combined into a single qualification (HLT32607 Certificate III in Pathology) with two elective streams to meet the specific work roles of Pathology Collection and Pathology Assistance.

HLT32607 is one of two qualifications in the Pathology pathway of the HLT07 Heath Training Package. A number of compulsory and mandatory elective competency units from HLT32607 Certificate III in Pathology are a pre-requisite for entry to HLT41807 Certificate IV in Pathology.

This traineeship pathway covers workers who undertake the collection of blood and other pathology specimens under supervision. It should be noted that this qualification does not cover collection of a range of specimens for specialised testing, collection of arterial blood gases or team leadership and training.

Vocational Training Order Standard Format

The VTO in each instance specifies:

A copy of the VTO supporting the recognised traineeship vocation of Health Services – Pathology is at Attachment A.

Qualifications framework

For the purpose of the VTO, Health Services – Pathology trainees in New South Wales will now be able to gain the HLT32607 Certificate III in Pathology qualification.

Units of competency

The packaging and structure requirements for the qualification to which this VTO applies are outlined at Attachment B.

The following industrial arrangements apply to these traineeships.

Private Hospitals, Aged Care and Disability Services Industry (Training) (State) Award
Public Hospital (Training Wage) (State) Award

And

State - public sector
Health Employees Conditions of Employment (State) Award
Health Employees Administrative Staff (State) Award
Health Employees (State) Award
Health Technical (State) Award
Public Hospital Residential Services Assistant (State) Award
Royal Rehabilitation Services Weemala Unit Residential Care Staff (State) Award
Public Hospital Dental Assistants (State) Award
Public Hospital Dental Staff (State) Award
Public Hospital Dental Therapists (State) Award
Public Hospital Professional and Associated Staff Conditions of Employment (State) Award
Health Professional and Medical Salaries (State) Award.

State - private sector
Charitable Aged and Disability Care Services (State) Award
Charitable Sector Aged and Disability Care Services (State) Award
Aged Care General Services (State) Award
Charitable Institutions (Professional Paramedical Staff) (State) Award
Dental Technicians (State) Award
Inala Disability Services (State) Award
Orthoptists in Private Practice (State) Award
Private Hospital Employees (State) Award - 2006
Private Hospital (Named Respondents) (State) Award
The Richmond Fellowship of New South Wales (Stat) Award – 1999.

Federal
National Training Wage Award 2000 Award.

And

Other present and future collective agreements established under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005 that relate to the Health Industry.

Note - Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish any traineeship or apprenticeship will not be approved unless the Commissioner is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

Vocational Education in Schools

The ITAB has advised that HLT32607 Certificate III in Pathology would not be a suitable school based pathway.

Learning resources and assessment materials

TAFE NSW has developed NSW Crown Copyright curriculum materials to support delivery of HLT32607 Certificate III in Pathology (Crown Copyright Number 18285).

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are advised to visit the NavigatingNSW website, which can be viewed at www.csh-itab.com.au/navnsw/. NavigatingNSW is an information website for RTOs delivering qualifications from the HLT07 Health Training Package in New South Wales, including for the Pathology sector of the health industry.

Licensing

There are currently no licensing requirements within the community services and health industry in New South Wales. However, the following are requirements for training and working in the public health industry sector. Many private employers also implement these policy directives.

Immunisation: Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with the assessment, screening and vaccination requirements of Policy Directive PD 2007_006.

Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Person: Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with Employment Screening Using Criminal Record Checks Policy Directive PD2005_552.

Availability of Registered Training Organisations

The National Training Information Service (NTIS) website http://www.ntis.gov.au identifies RTOs in NSW registered to deliver qualifications from the HLT07 Health Industry Training Package.

Note: This Commissioner’s Information Bulletin supersedes relevant information about Pathology traineeships contained in Commissioner’s Information Bulletins 214, 244 and 289.

For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on (02) 9266 8579.

PHILLIP MOORE
Commissioner for Vocational Training