There are two offers of venepuncture and cannulation training, for care home and care at home staff, these are dependent on job role.
Venepuncture – Health and Social Care Worker
Venepuncture and Cannulation – Registered Nurse
Click on appropriate bar for more information on each.
Both courses are booked through the same process which is set out below the green bars.
Venepuncture – Health and Social Care Support Workers
Health and Social Care Support Workers Intended Learning outcomes:
By the end of the learning session the participants will:
- Describe the requirements needed for patient consent.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the venous, arterial and nervous systems of the upper limbs.
- Identify the appropriate sites for venepuncture and critically examine rationale for choice.
- Identify the laboratory requirements for the routine tests in venepuncture.
- Explore complications that may arise during or after venepuncture and outline specific actions to minimise these risks or deal with complications.
- Demonstrate venepuncture in a safe & competent manner using Aseptic Non-Touch technique (ANTT), being aware of accountability and responsibility in relation to the procedure.
- Demonstrate service user comfort, caring and dignity during the procedure.
- Demonstrate knowledge relating to the NHS Lothian Policy on the handling of body fluids and the safe handling & disposal of sharps, Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP) and needle stick policy.
- Outline appropriate action when a maximum of 2 attempts at venepuncture are not successful
Venepuncture and Cannulation – Registered Nurses
Registered Nurse learning outcomes:
- Knowledge of venous, arterial, and nervous anatomy & physiology of the upper/lower arm
- Rationale for site selection for venepuncture &/or PVC
- Appropriate knowledge of aseptic non touch technique (ANTT) throughout procedure
- Understanding of laboratory requirements for routine blood sampling
- Awareness of patient risk factors that increase difficulty of procedure.
- Knowledge of complications, and outline actions to reduce risk, or deal with complications.
- Importance of gaining patient consent for procedure
- Understanding of NHS Lothian Policies in relation to the procedure
- Empathy for patient comfort, and dignity throughout the procedure
- Current knowledge of venepuncture &/or PVC to enable the practitioner to achieve competence in performing these skills with an awareness of professional accountability and responsibility
Structure of Education Sessions:
- Sessions are delivered by NHS Lothian Clinical Education Team
- Face to face practical learning session
- Half day course (08.45 – 13.00)
Availability and Booking
For NHS Staff please book via eESS.
For other staff, who do not use NHS eESS:
Dates can be accessed through the green bars below:
Email: loth.trainingandeducationcarehomes@nhs.scot to request place and booking form, or for any further queries or information.
NHS Lothian will carry out its educational functions in a way that is inclusive to all learners. We strive to minimise any barriers to learning. If a course attendee requires additional support, please contact the Course Administrator at loth.trainingandeducationcarehomes@nhs.scot
This education package is only one of many offered to those working in care homes and care at home services across the Lothians.
To discover others and find out more information please use the Education and Training Directory
