Venepuncture, Phlebotomy

Course information

This course is for Nurses, Health Care Assistants and Phlebotomists in primary care, the community, hospitals or nursing homes.

You will gain skills and knowledge on how to carry out venepuncture with a practical session on performing blood tests, which gives you an opportunity to practice. We do not practice on Live subjects. We use training aids.

This course will give delegates the theoretical and practical awareness to undertake a competence assessment framework in the workplace that will deem them competent to take blood safely and appropriately. Each delegate will leave with a competence-based framework to enable assessment of competence in the workplace.

Aims and objectives

• Identify and describe the equipment used for routine venepuncture.

• Assess and select suitable sites used for venepuncture as well as locations to avoid.

• Describe and utilize the required steps to perform routine venepuncture.

• Describe actions that ensure safety during performance of a venepuncture.

• Identify suitable vein selection and identify factors influencing this.

• Understand relevant professional and legal issues.

• Be able to identify potential complications.

• Understand anatomy and physiology and correct vein selection.

• Be familiar with the equipment and exercise choice in using the most appropriate equipment.

• Practice safely in terms of infection control and waste management.

• Become skilled and competent at phlebotomy.

• To recognise any complications arising and be able to take the appropriate action.

Course contents

• Background and importance of training and competence

• Supervision and practice

• Scope and responsibilities

• Accountability and responsibility

• Professional and legal issues

• Consent and Capacity

• What is venepuncture

• Tools of the trade-equipment

• Needles and patient safety

• Blood collection systems and devices

• Blood collection tubes

• Anatomy and physiology

• Vein Selection- assessment

• Identification of Veins

• Arm Veins

• Hand Veins

• Unacceptable sites for venous collection

• Venepuncture procedure

• Practical

• Order of Draw

• Specimen collection procedures

• Specimen handling post venepuncture

• Personal protective equipment

• Needlestick injuries

• Tools of the Trade

• Health and Safety Regulations

• Disposal

• Needle phobia’s

• Dealing with anxiety/fainting etc

• Practical session

• Potential Complications/Troubleshooting (including Infection Control)

• Case studies

Who should attend?

• Nurses

• HCA’s

• Care Staff

• Doctors

• Medical students

• Those interested in careers as Phlebotomists