About this course

Build the knowledge behind safe, confident routine blood collection in general practice, community, hospital and private healthcare settings. Work through interactive modules and knowledge checks, then complete the final theory assessment.

This course focuses on routine adult peripheral venepuncture. Sampling from young people aged 16–17 is included only where local policy permits. It is written primarily for practice in England; learners must follow the law and local policies applicable to their setting.

Who is it for?

Healthcare assistants and support workers, new phlebotomists, registered healthcare professionals and independent prescribers, and appropriately supervised students and trainees. It also supports those refreshing their knowledge or returning after a break. No practical workshop or workplace placement is needed to complete the online course.

What you will learn

• Recognise the scope of routine venepuncture and when to stop or escalate.
• Apply patient identification, communication, valid consent and mental-capacity principles.
• Explain venous anatomy, site selection, collection equipment, tube additives and the order of draw.
• Apply infection-prevention and aseptic non-touch principles.
• Describe correct sample labelling, handling, transport and chain-of-custody principles.
• Recognise common complications and respond to sharps injuries or blood exposure.
• Understand confidentiality, record-keeping and professional responsibilities.
• Identify the practical training, supervision, competency assessment and local authorisation needed before clinical practice.

Course modules

0. 00Course orientation10 min
1. 01The circulatory system & venous anatomy35 min
2. 02Equipment & blood collection systems35 min
3. 03Order of draw, tube additives & safe tube identification30 min
4. 04Infection prevention & hand hygiene30 min
5. 05Patient identification, communication & consent30 min
6. 06Sample labelling, transport & chain of custody30 min
7. 07Health & safety, sharps & needlestick injury40 min
8. 08Legal & ethical responsibilities35 min
9. 09Putting venepuncture into practice40 min

Assessment and completion

Complete every mandatory screen in all 10 modules to unlock the final assessment. It contains 20 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 30 minutes, although it is untimed.

To pass, score at least 80% and answer every safety-critical question correctly. Three attempts are available. If you do not pass within three attempts, work through Modules 1–9 again before a further set of attempts. The knowledge checks within modules support learning and do not contribute to the final grade.

Course completion requires both completion of all modules and a pass in the final assessment. Feedback and an optional learner reflection follow.

CPD and your learning record

This course may be recorded as self-directed CPD. External accreditation is being sought; it is not currently CPD certified.

When you enrol and open the course from this academy, progress is saved to your account. A theory completion certificate becomes available after all modules and the final assessment are complete.