Clinical Skills
Advanced Phlebotomy and Cannulation Course in Manchester
Our two-day advanced phlebotomy and cannulation course in Manchester takes you from the basics to blood cultures, winged needles, difficult veins and an observed assessment. Tuesday and Wednesday at our centre in Levenshulme, 12 CPD hours. Already done our 1-day course? Book Day 2 only.
- Day 1 (Tuesday): venepuncture and cannulation foundations
- Day 2 (Wednesday): advanced skills and observed assessment
- Day 2 only option for past learners and experienced staff
- 12 CPD hours (6 per day)
- Optional supervised practice with a volunteer on day 2
- Up to 14 learners, sandwich lunch both days
- Certificate and workplace competency record
Course summary
- Duration
- 2 days
- Format
- Face-to-face
- Location
- Manchester
- CPD
- 12
- Certificate valid for
- Refresher recommended every 2 years
- Price
- £120
- Next date
- Tuesday 17 – Wednesday 18 November 2026
Advanced phlebotomy and cannulation training in Manchester for healthcare staff
Our two-day advanced phlebotomy and cannulation course in Manchester takes you from the basics to the harder parts of the job: blood cultures, winged needles, small or difficult veins, and more cannulation practice. It runs on a Tuesday and Wednesday at PLAB Guide Training Centre in Levenshulme.
Day 1 covers venepuncture and cannulation from the start, following the same syllabus as our 1-day venepuncture and cannulation course. Day 2 adds advanced techniques, optional supervised practice with a volunteer, and an observed assessment. If you have already done our 1-day course, you can book Day 2 only.
Groups are capped at 14 learners, so choose a date below and book early.
Why train in advanced phlebotomy with PLAB Guide in Manchester
We keep groups to 14 learners, so you get plenty of attempts on training arms with a trainer watching and correcting your technique. Day 2 concentrates on the situations that cause most failed attempts at work: small, fragile or rolling veins, blood cultures and anxious patients.
- Book what you need: the full 2-day course, Day 2 only if you already take blood and cannulate, or the 3-day bundle that adds our urinary catheterisation course on the Thursday (18 CPD hours).
- Optional supervised practice: on day 2 you can take blood from a fellow learner who has volunteered, under direct trainer supervision. Taking part is your choice and does not affect your certificate.
- Ready for your workplace: you leave with a certificate, 12 CPD hours and a competency record for your workplace supervisor to complete.
- Easy to reach: limited free parking on site, plus free on-street parking nearby, both on a first-come, first-served basis. A sandwich lunch is provided on both days.
Teach on this course
We are recruiting local, experienced practitioners to teach our phlebotomy and cannulation courses on an ad hoc basis. NHS experience is highly desirable. Apply to join our phlebotomy and venepuncture faculty.
Further reading
- Venepuncture, advanced phlebotomy or catheterisation: which clinical skills course do you need? How our three clinical skills courses fit together and which to book first.
Upcoming advanced phlebotomy and cannulation course dates in Manchester
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Course overview
Both days run from 09:00 to 17:00, with refreshments and a sandwich lunch. The course runs in the week of the third Monday of each month. You receive a certificate of attendance with 12 CPD hours (6 for Day 2 only) and a workplace competency record. We recommend a refresher every 2 years.
Booking options: the 2-day course; Day 2 only; or the 3-day bundle, which adds our Urinary Catheterisation course on the Thursday.
Content follows the national occupational standards for obtaining venous blood (SFHCHS132) and inserting peripheral IV cannulas (SFHCHS22).
Competence. Practice on this course is on training models, apart from the optional supervised volunteer practice. The course does not on its own make you competent to perform the procedure on patients. Your employer supervises you and signs you off in your workplace before you practise on your own.
Who this course is for
- New starters who want more practice than a one-day course gives
- Healthcare assistants and phlebotomists moving into wards, clinics or GP practices
- Nurses, doctors and international medical graduates who want to build confidence with difficult veins and blood cultures
- Day 2 only: people who have done our 1-day course in the last 2 years, or who already take blood and cannulate at work
Who should attend
- Healthcare assistants and support workers
- Phlebotomists moving into wards, clinics or GP practices
- Nurses and nursing associates
- Doctors, including foundation doctors
- International medical graduates preparing for UK clinical roles
- Paramedics and allied health professionals
- Medical, nursing and allied health students
- Staff who already take blood and cannulate at work (Day 2 only)
Entry requirements
No previous experience is needed for the 2-day course. For Day 2 only, you need to have done our 1-day venepuncture and cannulation course in the last 2 years, or already take blood and cannulate in your job. Please bring photo ID.
What you will learn
- Select suitable veins and alternative sites, including small, fragile and rolling veins
- Perform venepuncture with vacuum, winged (butterfly) needle and syringe systems
- Take blood cultures using a technique that reduces contamination
- Follow the correct order of draw and avoid common sample errors
- Adapt your approach for older adults and anxious or needle-phobic patients
- Insert, secure, flush and dress a peripheral IV cannula on a training arm
- Troubleshoot failed attempts and recognise when to stop and escalate
- Complete an observed assessment and start your workplace competency record
Course content
-
1 Day 1: Venepuncture foundations
Arm vein anatomy and site choice, consent and patient identification, hand hygiene and aseptic non-touch technique, vacuum collection, tourniquet use and order of draw, labelling samples, and sharps safety. -
2 Day 1: Peripheral IV cannulation
Indications and cannula sizes, preparing the equipment and the patient, then inserting, securing, flushing and dressing a cannula, phlebitis scoring, removal and documentation. -
3 Day 2: Winged needles, syringes and blood cultures
Butterfly needle and syringe collection, blood culture technique and how to avoid contaminated samples, and how sample errors such as haemolysis affect results. -
4 Day 2: Difficult veins and special groups
Small, fragile and rolling veins and alternative sites, older adults, principles for children (theory only), and supporting anxious or needle-phobic patients. -
5 Day 2: Advanced cannulation and troubleshooting
Further cannulation practice on training arms, managing failed attempts, and recognising infiltration, extravasation and other complications. -
6 Day 2: Supervised practice and observed assessment
Optional supervised venepuncture on a volunteer learner, an observed assessment of your venepuncture and cannulation, and your workplace competency record.
Course format
- Duration
- 2 days
- Delivery
- Face to face: theory, practice on training arms, optional supervised volunteer practice and observed assessment
Assessment
- How you are assessed
- Continuous observation and an observed assessment on day 2
- Practical assessment
- Demonstrate safe venepuncture and cannulation on a training arm
Certification
- Requirements
- Attend both days (or day 2 for Day 2 only bookings) and complete the observed assessment.
- Certificate valid for
- Refresher recommended every 2 years
Training near you
PLAB Guide Training Centre delivers Advanced Phlebotomy and Cannulation Course in Manchester, convenient for learners travelling from Levenshulme, Longsight, Burnage, Didsbury, Stockport and surrounding areas.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 1-day and 2-day course?
Who can book Day 2 only?
Do I have to take part in the live practice?
Will I be competent after the course?
How many CPD hours do I get?
Can I add catheterisation in the same week?
Is lunch provided?
How big are the groups?
Ready to book?
The next date with places is Tuesday 17 – Wednesday 18 November 2026
Book now