The PCA Portal is everything that your need during your professional career in Australian Pathology. You will never be alone with this fantastic community and tool at your fingertips!
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Join us in 2025 as we continue to grow, educate and empower the Australian Pathology Workers. Together we are changing the culture in Australian Pathology for the better.
We were formed to make the difference for Pathology Workers that wasn't being made by the multisector Trade Unions and that is exactly what we have done.
Join your National Pathology Peak Body to become educated therefore empowered to be the most professional Healthcare Technician regardless of where you work. We know that People and Culture have become a entity that protects your employer and their profit line, so you need a support network just like every other Healthcare Professional.
The Phlebotomists Council of Australia (The PCA) was established in 2019 as a supportive community network for phlebotomists, many of whom often work in isolation.
Over time, the PCA has evolved into the Professional Association and Peak Body for all Professionals in the Pathology Industry.
Pathology workers work predominately in isolated environments, therefore need a Professional Association that empowers them with their workplace rights in one Online Portal, Professional Development, Online Community of like minded Pathology Professionals and much more.
Under the dedicated leadership of its founder, Bec Luxton, the PCA has attracted other Professional Pathology Workers who know this career can be so much more rewarding than what it is being restricted to currently.
Forming a Executive Council and becoming Active Workplace Delegates, the Professionals are bringing back to focus to Patient Care and the Innovation of Pathology. We know that Pathology is not a standby career but a Specialist Healthcare Profession, these members are in the workforce and the PCA, ensuring that our association stays relevant the daily issues our members face and have a friendly face to turn to.
Phlebotomists play a pivotal role in the Australian healthcare system, which became more apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic. These professionals were at the forefront, conducting PCR tests, and have long been integral members of patients' care teams.
Their skills include precision in venipuncture, a comprehensive knowledge of the tests they perform, and expertise in sample collection methods. Pathology, as a diagnostic tool, is fundamental to achieving positive healthcare outcomes.
Currently there are no requirements for formal qualifications for entry to this profession and our members receive minimal technical training with a increasing reliance on inconsistent, in-house training to fill the Staffing and Skills Shortage caused by undervalued wages.
PCA provides curated micro-learning Core Behaviour Skills developed specially for the Pathology Environment covering:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Problem solving and critical thinking,
- Negotiation and dealing with difficult situations
- Coaching/mentoring/supervising others
Additionally, we have your professional development coach, Patience, available to answer any question 24/7 in every language.
The Covid-19 pandemic laid bare the critical importance of the pathology sector. It also highlighted issues within the industry, such as inhumane working conditionsand wages that do not reflect the value of the work.
Private Pathology, in particular, profited from Commonwealth funds while failing to meet commitments to job security and accessibility.
Despite facing life-threatening risks during the pandemic, phlebotomists received little recognition or support.
This emphasised the need for industry regulation and oversight.
The Misrepresentation of rights to formal qualifications have been grossly devalued since the Covid Pandemic and in some private pathology services, Pathology Collectors receive only 2 weeks training before being sent to collect blood sample, this is to fill the staffing shortage in Bulk Billed Outpatient Pathology Services owned by ASX owned companies.
The skill required to do this role well has be grossly devalued by a business model that does not belong in Healthcare.
The Members of the PCA are determined to ensure that Pathology is available for all Australians, in safe environments and the Innovation of Pathology in Australia continues.
Working in solo workplace environments can be challenging, especially when it comes to navigating the emotional situations you face every day. When you have no colleagues to turn to for advice, who do you rely on?
That’s where PCA steps in! We have partnered with Danny Simms, a learning and development consultant who is committed to support the PCA and its members.
We held focus groups with PCA members to identify the training they wanted most and together, we’ve designed the PCA Professional Education Series tailored just for you.
This education series is the result of collaborative efforts between the PCA Learning and Development Team and PCA members, designed specifically for today’s Pathology Workers.
We understand that clinical and technical training has been lacking in our industry for years, and that’s why this core behaviour training is unique and essential.
The suite of programs and an AI coach provide you with a unique, relevant, easy to access set of learning experiences.
It has been designed to equip you with the primary behavioural skills needed to excel as a Professional Pathology Worker, no matter who your employer is or workplace!
You can learn on the way to work, in your lunch break by accessing the bite-sized lessons, on your phone, a tablet or a computer. Grow your professional skills and become more confident every day.
At PCA, we are dedicated to empowering professional pathology workers through education. As individual technicians, it is crucial that you take ownership of your ongoing professional development.
Don’t let your current employer hinder your learning or growth—we are here to support your continuous progress.
This is available as a Member Benefit designed by you for you!
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