Phlebotomy Course

Lesson 1 • Medical Terminology for Phlebotomy

Introduces anatomical and clinical terms used in blood collection settings. Accurate terminology supports documentation, communication, and test ordering.

Lesson 2 • Role of the Phlebotomist

Defines the phlebotomist's scope of practice within the clinical team. Establishes professional boundaries and interdepartmental relationships central to the course.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to the Laboratory System

Explains laboratory departments, specimen routing, and test ordering workflows. Students understand how collected specimens move through the diagnostic process.

Lesson 1 • Haemostasis and Coagulation Basics

Explains the clotting cascade and vascular response to injury. This knowledge underpins post-draw care and recognition of bleeding complications.

Lesson 2 • Circulatory System Overview

Reviews heart function, blood flow pathways, and vessel types. This context supports accurate site selection and complication prevention.

Lesson 3 • Alternative Collection Sites

Introduces veins of the lower extremity, scalp, and external jugular for special populations. Site selection criteria and associated risks are emphasised.

Lesson 4 • Blood Composition and Components

Describes cellular and plasma components and their diagnostic relevance. Understanding composition informs tube selection and specimen handling decisions.

Lesson 1 • Sharps Safety and Needlestick Prevention

Teaches safe needle handling, engineered safety devices, and post-exposure response. Sharps injuries are the leading occupational hazard in phlebotomy.

Lesson 2 • Biohazard Waste Management

Explains classification, segregation, and disposal of biohazardous materials. Correct waste handling prevents environmental contamination and regulatory violations.

Lesson 3 • Personal Protective Equipment Selection

Guides selection, donning, and doffing of gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection. Proper PPE use prevents cross-contamination during specimen collection.

Lesson 4 • Hand Hygiene Techniques

Covers soap-and-water handwashing and alcohol-based hand rub protocols with correct timing. Hand hygiene is the single most effective infection prevention measure.

Lesson 1 • Capillary Collection Devices

Covers lancets, microcollection tubes, and filter paper cards used for skin puncture. Device selection is guided by patient age, test type, and blood volume needed.

Lesson 2 • Tourniquets and Ancillary Supplies

Reviews tourniquet types, antiseptic agents, gauze, bandages, and labelling materials. Proper supply preparation reduces procedure time and patient discomfort.

Lesson 3 • Venepuncture Needle Systems

Describes evacuated tube system needles, winged infusion sets, and syringe needles by gauge and length. Needle selection is matched to vein size and patient condition.

Lesson 4 • Blood Collection Tubes and Additives

Identifies tube colour codes, additives, and corresponding laboratory tests. Additive knowledge prevents specimen rejection due to incorrect tube selection.

Lesson 1 • Needle Insertion and Blood Collection

Teaches correct needle angle, bevel orientation, and tube engagement during blood draw. Precise technique minimises haemolysis, haematoma, and patient pain.

Lesson 2 • Site Selection and Vein Assessment

Guides visual inspection and palpation to select the optimal venepuncture site. Systematic assessment reduces failed attempts and patient discomfort.

Lesson 3 • Patient Identification and Preparation

Establishes two-identifier verification, test requisition review, and patient positioning. Correct identification prevents critical misidentification errors.

Lesson 4 • Needle Removal and Post-Draw Care

Covers tourniquet release, needle withdrawal, pressure application, and bandaging. Proper post-draw care prevents haematoma and ensures patient safety.

Lesson 1 • Neonatal and Paediatric Considerations

Addresses volume limits, developmental communication, and restraint guidelines for young patients. Age-appropriate technique reduces trauma and improves specimen quality.

Lesson 2 • Glucose Monitoring and Point-of-Care Testing

Covers glucometer operation, quality control steps, and result documentation for bedside testing. Point-of-care results directly influence immediate clinical decisions.

Lesson 3 • Arterial Blood Gas Collection

Introduces radial artery puncture, modified Allen test, and specimen handling for ABG analysis. ABG collection requires additional training and competency validation.

Lesson 4 • Skin Puncture Technique

Teaches finger and heel puncture procedures with correct site selection and lancet use. Skin puncture is the preferred method for infants and limited-vein patients.

Lesson 1 • Preanalytical Error Sources

Identifies patient preparation failures, collection errors, and transport problems that alter results. Recognising error sources is the first step in quality specimen management.

Lesson 2 • Specimen Storage and Stability

Specifies temperature, light, and time requirements for common analytes. Improper storage degrades specimens and generates false laboratory results.

Lesson 3 • Specimen Rejection Criteria

Defines conditions that require specimen rejection and recollection, including clotted, haemolysed, and mislabelled samples. Rejection criteria protect result accuracy.

Lesson 4 • Chain of Custody for Legal Specimens

Explains documentation, witnessed collection, and tamper-evident sealing for forensic and drug-testing specimens. Chain of custody ensures legal admissibility of results.

Lesson 1 • Quality Assurance in Phlebotomy

Introduces quality indicators, error tracking, and continuous improvement cycles in specimen collection. QA participation is a professional responsibility for every phlebotomist.

Lesson 2 • Difficult Venepuncture Strategies

Provides techniques for obese, elderly, dehydrated, and oncology patients with challenging veins. Adaptive strategies reduce failed draws and patient distress.

Lesson 3 • Documentation and Legal Considerations

Covers accurate procedure documentation, amendment protocols, and liability awareness. Thorough records protect patients and practitioners in legal and audit contexts.

Lesson 4 • Recognising and Managing Complications

Identifies haematoma, syncope, nerve injury, and arterial puncture and outlines immediate response steps. Early recognition and correct response minimise patient harm.