This venipuncture and subcutaneous injection course equips nurses and health care workers with the knowledge and skills to safely perform venipuncture and administer subcutaneous injections. The course includes theoretical instruction and practical training on a model arm, with a focus on infection control and patient safety. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon completion, but must be assessed by a competent individual before performing procedures independently.

1. Venipuncture and
Subcutaneous Injection
Course Description:
This Venipuncture course is designed to give nurses and other health care workers the under
pinning knowledge necessary to safely carry out venepuncture. As well as covering relevant
theory in detail, opportunities will be given for participants to practice the procedure on a model
arm. If required, the course also includes an overview of sub-cutaneous injection administration.
This is most suitable for health care staff who do not hold a nursing qualification but are required
to administer sub-cutaneous injections using pre-dosage systems such as Epipens.
Disclaimer:
This course will give participants the information required in order to carry out venepuncture safely. Although
they will have the opportunity to learn and practice new skills on a model arm, attendance of this course
alone will not deem them competent to carry out venepuncture on “real” people. It is every candidate’s
responsibility to be assessed by someone who is already competent and experienced in venepuncture and
obtain the necessary signed paper work prior to carry out the procedure unsupervised.
Course Outline:
Participants attending the Venipuncture training session will be able to:
• Consider the legal implications of carry out venipuncture
• Explain why venipuncture is performed
• Give a list of conditions that may be diagnosed or monitored through blood tests
• Give reasons why veins rather than arteries are used for obtaining blood tests
• Understand the cardiovascular system and the anatomy of a vein
• Identify three main veins in the arm used for venipuncture
• Explain why infection control is so important in venipuncture
• Know the procedure for venepuncture
• Explain what can go wrong and how these issues can be avoided
• Practice your skills on a model arm
Participants attending the Sub-cutaneous injection training session will be able to:
• Explain what a sub-cutaneous injection is and why it would be used instead of other routes of
administration
• Give an overview of the anatomy of the skin, explaining where the sub-cutaneous layer is
• Explain the importance of the correct positioning of sub-cutaneous medicines and how to
ensure you
achieve this
• Outline the correct procedure for administering a sub-cutaneous injection
• Describe the safety and infection control procedures necessary when administering a subcutaneous injection
Course Duration:
Venipuncture: 3- 4 hours* / Venipuncture and sub-cutaneous injection: 5 – 6 hours* /
*duration of practical session depends on number of participants
Assessment:
This interactive course utilises a number of quizzes, question and answer sessions and group
activities. Participants will be expected to fully engage with these activities in order to enhance
their learning experience. The trainer will carry out an on-going assessment of participant’s
understanding and learning throughout the session.
There will also be opportunity for participants to learn and practice their venepuncture skills on
a model arm.
Certification:
All delegates will receive a certificate of attendance
Location:
The course can be delivered at locations to suit the client or at one of our training venues
Maximum number of delegates per trainer is 15
Telephone: 0845 468 0870
Pathway College
putting you first
Web: www.pathwaygroup.co.uk
Birmingham: 0121 369 0100
Email: caretraining@pathwaygroup.co.uk