Venepuncture and Phlebotomy Skills

Course Overview
Being able to take blood from those in our care is a vital and necessary skill to have and this course will give
you an essential qualification in venepuncture.
This one-day course will take place your clinical environment. In a small group of 10-12 people you will be
instructed in how to take blood ensuring that you adhere to strict infection control principles and local
Policies..
Who should attend?
All Health Care professionals; Health Care Assistants, and Nurses who want to enhance their skills, extend their
role or embark on a new career path.
Course Objectives
• To provide the theoretical basis required for safe venepuncture and cannulation
• To demonstrate and allow supervised practice of venepuncture and cannulation in a supportive environment.
• To ensure the application of evidence based practice in developing the individual practitioners’ role in
venepuncture and cannulation.
To ensure maximal prevention of infection with venepuncture and cannulation
Course Aims
• Identify and discuss national, local and professional policies in relation to venepuncture and
cannulation.
• Discuss the legal responsibilities of the individual practitioner and employer in relation to
venepuncture and cannulation.
• Justify the need for venepuncture and/or cannulation in light of your own clinical practice.
• Critically analyse the potential complications associated with venepuncture and/or cannulation and
discuss appropriate actions to prevent and/or treat these complications.
• Define the steps required to prepare the patient for venepuncture and cannulation including
equipment required.
• Discuss the prevention and control of infection with regard to venepuncture and cannulation
Certification and Other Details
On completion of this course, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance confirming that you have achieved
the above objectives.
Supervised venipuncture and cannulation in a clinical setting on real patients is required by most Trust /
Organisational policies to achieve proficiency in this skill. As part of this course, we will advise you on how this
can be achieved and give you a progression to competency card
We recommend that you are supervised by a suitable and competent person in your work place at least 10
times. You can use your card to record these events