Venepuncture & Peripheral IV Cannulation Training
One-Day Practical Clinical Skills Course | 6 CPD Points | Manchester
Develop practical confidence in two of the most commonly used vascular access skills in healthcare: venepuncture and peripheral intravenous cannulation.
The Venepuncture & Peripheral IV Cannulation Training Course at PLAB Guide Training Centre is a practical, hands-on clinical skills programme designed for healthcare professionals who want to learn, refresh or improve their blood-taking and peripheral IV access techniques.
The training is delivered as two separate half-day sessions on the same day, allowing candidates to choose the option most relevant to their needs:
- Morning Session – Phlebotomy & Venepuncture Training
- Afternoon Session – Peripheral IV Cannulation Training
- Full-Day Package – Venepuncture + Cannulation
Candidates may book either session individually or attend the complete day for broader vascular access training.
Full-day attendance: 6 CPD points.
Flexible Booking Options
Session 1 – Phlebotomy & Venepuncture
Focused training in safe venous blood sampling, specimen collection and blood-handling procedures.
Session 2 – Peripheral IV Cannulation
Focused training in establishing peripheral intravenous access, cannula selection, insertion, securing and ongoing cannula care.
Full-Day Venepuncture & Cannulation Package
Complete both sessions on the same day and develop a more comprehensive understanding of peripheral vascular access.
The combined option is particularly useful because many of the core skills overlap, including:
- Venous anatomy
- Vein assessment
- Patient communication
- Consent
- Infection prevention
- Aseptic technique
- Needle handling
- Sharps safety
- Recognition of complications
The second session then builds on these foundations.
Who Is This Course For?
The course may be suitable for:
- Doctors
- Foundation doctors
- Nurses
- Nursing associates
- Healthcare assistants
- Paramedics
- Advanced Clinical Practitioners
- Physician Associates
- Midwives
- Pharmacists and pharmacy professionals where relevant
- Allied healthcare professionals
- Medical and nursing students
- International Medical Graduates
- Clinicians returning to practice
- Healthcare professionals preparing for workplace competency assessment
- Staff who need to refresh previously learned vascular access skills
Learners must only perform these procedures clinically where they fall within their professional role, employer requirements and assessed scope of competence.
Morning Session – Phlebotomy & Venepuncture Training
The morning session focuses on safe venous blood collection.
Candidates learn how to assess suitable veins, prepare the patient, select equipment, perform venepuncture and handle blood specimens appropriately.
Venepuncture Topics
The session includes:
- Relevant venous anatomy
- Common veins used for blood collection
- Patient identification
- Consent and communication
- Patient positioning
- Vein selection
- Tourniquet use
- Infection prevention
- Skin preparation
- Needle selection
- Butterfly and vacuum collection systems
- Blood tube selection
- Order of draw
- Avoiding haemolysis
- Safe specimen labelling
- Sharps disposal
- Managing failed attempts
- Recognition of complications
- Patient aftercare
Practical Venepuncture Training
Candidates practise:
- Palpating and assessing veins
- Preparing venepuncture equipment
- Correct needle positioning
- Venepuncture on realistic training arms
- Using blood collection systems
- Changing specimen tubes
- Safe needle removal
- Applying pressure and dressings
- Specimen handling and labelling
The focus is on developing a safe, structured and repeatable technique.
Afternoon Session – Peripheral IV Cannulation Training
The afternoon session focuses on establishing and maintaining peripheral intravenous access.
Candidates learn how to select an appropriate vein and cannula, insert the device safely, confirm patency and recognise common complications.
Cannulation Topics
Training includes:
- Indications for peripheral IV access
- Peripheral venous anatomy
- Vein assessment
- Suitable and unsuitable cannulation sites
- Cannula gauge and size selection
- Patient preparation
- Consent
- Infection prevention
- Aseptic non-touch technique
- Skin preparation
- Cannula insertion
- Recognising flashback
- Advancing the catheter
- Confirming patency
- Flushing
- Securing the cannula
- Dressing the site
- Documentation
- Ongoing site assessment
- Cannula removal
Hands-On Cannulation Training
Candidates practise:
- Selecting appropriate veins
- Handling different cannula sizes
- Needle and catheter control
- Recognising flashback
- Advancing the catheter
- Connecting extension devices
- Flushing
- Securing and dressing
- Troubleshooting unsuccessful attempts
- Repeating the complete procedure on simulation arms
The practical element mirrors the hands-on emphasis commonly used in established venepuncture and cannulation programmes.
Venous Anatomy and Vein Selection
Both sessions include relevant vascular anatomy.
Candidates review common upper-limb veins including:
- Median cubital vein
- Cephalic vein
- Basilic vein
- Forearm veins
- Dorsal hand veins
Training helps candidates distinguish between:
- Suitable and unsuitable veins
- Superficial and deeper vessels
- Stable and rolling veins
- Fragile veins
- Veins affected by previous access
- Sites where cannulation or venepuncture should be avoided
Infection Prevention and ANTT
Safe vascular access requires excellent infection-prevention practice.
Candidates review:
- Hand hygiene
- Personal protective equipment
- Skin antisepsis
- Clean equipment preparation
- Aseptic non-touch technique
- Avoiding contamination of key parts
- Safe handling of blood
- Sharps disposal
- Management of needlestick injuries
Patient Communication and Consent
Candidates learn how to:
- Introduce themselves appropriately
- Confirm patient identity
- Explain the procedure
- Obtain valid consent
- Maintain privacy and dignity
- Address needle anxiety
- Ask about previous difficult access
- Recognise patients at risk of fainting
- Communicate throughout the procedure
Difficult Venous Access
The course discusses common challenges such as:
- Poorly visible veins
- Difficult-to-palpate veins
- Rolling veins
- Fragile veins
- Obesity
- Dehydration
- Oedema
- Previous failed attempts
- Needle phobia
- Multiple previous cannulations
Candidates are taught to recognise when repeated attempts are becoming inappropriate and when escalation is required.
Complications
Training covers recognition and initial management of complications including:
- Haematoma
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Fainting
- Failed access
- Infiltration
- Extravasation
- Phlebitis
- Infection
- Cannula occlusion
- Accidental arterial puncture
- Nerve irritation
- Needlestick injury
Practical Assessment
The course includes supervised practical skills assessment using simulation equipment.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate:
- Safe preparation
- Appropriate patient interaction
- Correct equipment selection
- Infection-prevention principles
- Appropriate vein selection
- Safe needle technique
- Safe specimen collection or cannula insertion
- Sharps safety
- Recognition of complications
- Appropriate aftercare
CPD Certification
Candidates completing the full-day Venepuncture & Cannulation Training Course receive 6 CPD points.
Candidates attending an individual half-day session may receive certification for that session according to the CPD allocation stated at booking.
The certificate confirms completion of the training programme but does not replace workplace clinical competency assessment.
Practical Competency and Workplace Sign-Off
This course provides theoretical education and simulation-based practical training.
Completion does not automatically certify independent clinical competence.
Depending on the learner's profession and employer, further requirements may include:
- Supervised procedures on patients
- A clinical competency workbook
- Procedure logbook
- Direct observation
- Workplace-based assessment
- Local policy training
- Employer competency sign-off
Candidates remain responsible for ensuring that venepuncture and cannulation fall within their professional scope of practice.
Course Format
Delivery: Face-to-face practical training
Location: PLAB Guide Training Centre, Manchester
Full course: One day
Structure: Two half-day sessions
Full-day CPD: 6 CPD points
Booking Options
Option 1 – Phlebotomy & Venepuncture Only
Attend the morning practical session.
Option 2 – Peripheral IV Cannulation Only
Attend the afternoon practical session.
Option 3 – Venepuncture & Cannulation Full Day
Attend both sessions and complete the full vascular access skills programme.
Why Book Both Sessions?
Venepuncture and peripheral cannulation share many core skills.
Completing both sessions enables learners to develop stronger understanding of:
- Peripheral venous anatomy
- Vein selection
- Needle handling
- Infection prevention
- Patient communication
- Sharps safety
- Vascular access complications
Learners can first practise obtaining venous access for blood collection and then progress to maintaining access using a peripheral IV cannula.
This makes the combined course particularly useful for clinicians who want broader practical vascular-access skills in a single training day.
Why Train With PLAB Guide Training Centre?
Candidates benefit from:
- Experienced healthcare instructors
- Extensive hands-on training
- Realistic venepuncture and cannulation arms
- Modern clinical equipment
- Small-group teaching
- Repeated practical attempts
- Individual technique correction
- Structured instructor feedback
- 6 CPD points for the complete day
- Training relevant to UK healthcare environments
- A professional and supportive learning environment
- Free dedicated parking
- Free nearby on-road parking
- Convenient Manchester location
Our aim is not simply to demonstrate the procedures. We want learners to have enough supervised practice to understand how to approach vascular access safely, systematically and confidently.
Book Venepuncture & Cannulation Training in Manchester
Choose the training that suits your needs:
Morning: Phlebotomy & Venepuncture
Afternoon: Peripheral IV Cannulation
Full Day: Complete Venepuncture & Cannulation Training – 6 CPD Points
Book your Venepuncture and Cannulation Training Course at PLAB Guide Training Centre in Manchester and gain practical, hands-on vascular access training in one convenient day.
