HLTPAT014 Perform Venous Blood Collections

HLTPAT014 Perform Venous Blood Collections

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to confirm venous blood collection requirements, prepare individual and equipment, and perform routine venous blood collections.  

This unit applies to any individual undertaking venous blood collection as part of the job role.  

This unit relates to venous blood collections from adults, adolescents and children over 5 years of age. It does not include venous blood collections from babies, neonates, arterial blood collections or blood collections made via artificial access devices such as central lines, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines, or intra venous (IV) catheter. 

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with current Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

Licensing/regulatory information

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite unit

No pre-requisite units.

Competency field

N/A

Unit sector

Pathology

Elements and performance criteria

Element Performance criteria
Elements define the essential outcomes Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Greet client and confirm pre-test criteria

1.1 Greet individual courteously and identify self 

1.2 Identify individual according to organisational procedures  

1.3 Assess and confirm individual meets pre-testing criteria for required venous blood collection 

1.4 Obtain, interpret and record personal and clinical information according to organisational procedures 

1.5 Explain venous blood collection procedure to individual 

1.6 Obtain informed consent for venous blood collection procedure from individual  

2. Prepare for venous blood collection procedure

 

2.1 Examine individual to determine venous blood collection site. 

2.2 Assemble equipment for test requested and venous blood collection site selected 

2.3 Position individual to ensure comfort and safety of individual and self 

2.4 Identify when assistance is needed and seek help 

3. Draw blood

3.1 Confirm vein suitable for venous blood collection through palpation of site 

3.2 Clean venous blood collection site with approved cleansing agent and allow to air dry  

3.3 Apply and adjust tourniquet according to manufacturer specifications 

3.4 Anchor vein below the venous blood collection site according to organisational procedures 

3.5 Insert needle according to venepuncture equipment function, clinical requirements and organisational procedures 

3.6 Collect blood according to collection procedure and organisational procedures 

3.7 Withdraw needle according to organisational procedures 

3.8 Invert venous blood collection tubes according to organisational procedures

3.9 Observe individual before, during and after venous blood collection for potential adverse effects and respond according to organisational procedures

4. Follow post-blood collection procedures

4.1 Label venous blood collection tubes in front of individual with time and date of venous blood collection and individual details according to organisational procedures 

4.2 Dispose of waste in accordance with waste disposal and infection control protocols 

4.3 Confirm tube labelling information accuracy with individual 

4.4 Complete venous blood collection documentation according to organisational procedures 

4.5 Provide individual with correct post venepuncture care instructions 

4.6 Prepare collected samples for transit or store according to test requested and organisational procedures 

Foundation skills

The foundation skills essential to performance of this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. 

Skills  Description 
Oral communication skills to: 
  • interact with individuals, assess individuals against pre-test criteria and report findings using some specialised vocabulary. 
Writing skills to: 
  • complete familiar and unfamiliar documentation. 
Reading skills to: 
  • interpret request information in individual’s records, technical and procedural documents, infection control policies and manufacturer guidelines. 
Numeracy skills to: 
  • independently measure blood volumes, interpret reference ranges and expiry dates. 
Observation skills to: 
  • routinely monitor individuals during and post venous blood collection. 

Digital literacy outcomes are included in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Range of conditions

N/A

Assessment requirements

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: 

  • followed established organisational procedures and collected venous blood suitable for testing with a maximum of two attempts, involving:
    • at least 5 collections performed using a phlebotomy simulator, and
    • at least 10 collections from different individuals including adults, adolescents or children over 5 years of age in a clinical workplace or simulated work environment, and
    • at least 10 collections performed from different individuals including adults, adolescents or children over 5 years of age in a clinical workplace.
  • used the following methods of venous blood collection according to organisational procedures:
    • evacuated venous blood collection system at least 10 times
    • winged infusion sets or needle and syringe at least 5 times

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 venous blood collection, and how these are applied in organisational policies and procedures:
    • children in the workplace
    • duty of care
    • needle phobia
    • informed consent
    • mandatory reporting
    • privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
    • records management
    • supportive holding for procedures and limitations
  • work role boundaries:
    • venous blood collection role
    • work health and safety
  • standard infection control requirements:
    • hand hygiene
    • personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • avoiding contact with bodily fluids
    • sharps injury prevention and treatment
    • waste management
  • industry terminology used in venous blood collections:
    • equipment
    • procedures
    • abbreviations
    • blood test names
    • 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 venous 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 venous blood collection procedures and risk controls
  • collection procedure factors which contribute to quality sample collection and impact on laboratory testing
    • volume of blood
    • approved order of blood draw
    • collection tubes
  • pre-analytical factors which may affect the chemical analysis of blood and impact on collection:
    • collection times
    • impact of drugs
    • timing of last dose
    • fasting times
    • strategies for protecting specimen integrity
  • features, functions and use of venepuncture equipment:
    • evacuated venous blood collection system
    • 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 heparin and sodium heparin
    • fluoride oxalate
    • separation gel
    • blood culture bottles

Assessment conditions

All aspects of the performance evidence must be demonstrated using simulation prior to demonstration in a clinical workplace setting, under direction and supervision.

The following conditions must be met for this unit:  

  • use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
    • tourniquets
    • collection tubes
    • syringes and needles or winged infusion set (butterfly)
    • multi-sample needle and holder
    • evacuated venous blood collection equipment
    • sharps containers
    • alcohol wipes
    • dressings
    • PPE
    • hand hygiene facilities
    • documented collection procedures for the candidate to follow
  • modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
    • interactions with individuals with varied needs
    • presence of non-routine situations requiring problem solving

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors and must hold this unit or demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge to that contained within this unit. 

Mandatory workplace requirements

The candidate must perform the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 35 hours of direct client contact work in a clinical workplace. All clinical workplace activities must be supervised by a phlebotomist who is currently working in a phlebotomist role for at least 18 hours per fortnight for a minimum of 12 months, to ensure patient safety.

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