Venepuncture (Phlebotomy) and Cannulation are the most commonly performed invasive procedures in the NHS. To perform these procedures well and to a safe standard it requires staff to have relevant and up-to-date knowledge and skills.

This City & Guilds Assured course is suitable as a refresher course, or as a foundation course for candidates new to Phlebotomy.

This training includes both comprehensive theory and interactive practical on state of the art latex arms, with plenty of time to perfect your technique!

By the end of this course you will understand: -

• Practitioner requirements and how they relate to governing bodies
• Strategies for maintaining clinical competence
• The legal implications of poor practice
• Infection causes and documentation requirements
• The patient/ environmental factors affecting procedure
• The Aseptic Non-Touch Technique process
• How to prevent and manage infection
• Document correct information on specimen labels
• List transport systems
• Components and functions of the circulatory system
• The function of skin and why we take blood samples
• How to identify veins used for Venepuncture (Phlebotomy) and Cannulation
• How to prepare the service user for procedures
• How to identify correct equipment for both procedures
• The needle gauge system
• What complications can occur during the practical procedure
• Common complications and adverse effects
• How to recognise, prevent and manage extravasation
• How to perform the Venepuncture (Phlebotomy) / Cannulation procedure safely

Course Introduction: 9:30 - 09:45 (15 minutes)

Session 1: 09:45 - 10:30 (45 minutes)

Legal aspects of Venepuncture (Phlebotomy) and Cannulation

• Practitioner requirements
• Professional competence and accountability
• Documentation and record keeping
• Vicarious liability
• Consent

Session 2: 10:30 - 11:15 (45 minutes)

• Why infections occur
• Patient and environmental factors
• Aseptic Non-Touch Technique
• Maintaining a sterile field
• Infection prevention and management
• Practitioner hazards
• Specimen handling
• Visual infusion phlebitis scoring

Session 3: 11:15 - 12:00 (45 minutes)

• Overview of the circulatory and venous systems
• Arteries and Capilleries
• The skin
• Vasoconstriction and Vasodilation
• Reasons for taking blood
• Factor affecting site selection
• Improving venous access
• Managing anxious patients

Lunch Break: 12:00 - 12:30 (30 minutes)

Session 4: 12:30 - 13:15 (45 minutes)

• Selecting correct equipment
• Needle gauge systems
• Tourniquets
• Needle safety
• Bio connectors
• Dressings
• Common complications
• Extravasation prevention and management

Session 5: 13:15 - 17:15 (240 minutes)

• Trainer Venepuncture (Phlebotomy) and Cannulation practical demonstration
• Candidate Venepuncture (Phlebotomy) and Cannulation practical session
• Candidate Venepuncture (Phlebotomy) and Cannulation assessment

Course Summary: 17:15 - 17:30 (15 minutes)

• Certificate lasts for 1 year!
• Compact, face to face theory & practical course using stimulation equipment to learn the foundations to access veins confidently.
• Small group sizes mean there is lots of occasions for one to one teaching during the practical sessions, so all delegates are catered for.
• Vascular Access Structured Learning Programme endorsed by NIVAS to take away with you to enable you to demonstrate competency.