Venepuncture and Cannulation Course

Courses Accross the UK every week - London, Birmingham, York, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham, Brighton, Bristol

How does the day run?
You will be introduced to the day with core theory until we get your grey matter working. Then once you are warmed up we launch you straight into practice. We adopt problem based learning with hands on learning wherever possible and as soon as possible. We use slides to cover essential theory because the images and structure help you learn about anatomy and Physiology, Professional Practice and Complications.

Early on you will examine each others veins and learn the best techniques for finding and accessing veins, already applying theory to practice. A little more theory is quickly followed by using your own Vein Train Veins to master the equipment. We teach you all sorts of techniques and skill in this section so that once you get to the arm you only have to think about the patient and venous access and pulling it all together.

We want all Vein Trainees to offer excellent care to their patients so we provide as high a ratio of Trainer: Learner as possible for the practical sessions. We achieve this by breaking the larger theory group into smaller workshops for the practical sessions throughout the day. This results in you having a higher than standard supervision of 1:8 Maximum (industry standard is 1:12) for practical supervision. We often break groups down further so there are just 4-6 of you for your first (usually the trickiest) attempt on the simulation equipment. We find that by using this method we can give you lots of practice based learning using a coaching approach whereby we focus on identifying your strengths and minimising your weaknesses. You also learn a lot from others techniques as we explain why veins are well accessed, missed, transfixed, damaged or could create problems on patients with specialised needs.

What Equipment will I use?
We train you on the best available simulation equipment. This has lifelike skin feel, veins that give you a realistic pop as you enter and a visual flashback is seen on successful vein entry. The equipment we use includes Arms, hands, skin and veins and Vein Train Veins. There is nothing like the real experience of accessing veins with patients in the clinical area but we do our best to bring that experience to the training day. The lifelike equipment helps as much as is possible but the trainers experience is crucial as they explain how each variant can lead to successful or unsuccessful venous access in the real situation. In effect the equipment helps us as trainers see how you use the equipment and approach the skill with the patient so that we can coach you either by encouraging what you do well or guiding you toward a more successful route. You will leave the day with lots of confidence an awareness of where you skill level is at and keen to gain supervision with patients.

Will I be Given a Certificate of Competence on the day?
No. There is no national certification for these skills. It is not possible to demonstrate competency on simulation equipment. Similarly demonstrating competency on one day only demonstrates competency in that one situation. We believe competency should be achieved over time through a series of assessments including theory. We therefore provide you with a Vascular Access Network Structured Learning Programme to attain and demonstrate competency.

If you are refreshing or transferring your skills from another country you may only need to fill out a small part of this booklet and get sign off in a clinical area quite swiftly and easily. If you are a novice this document will lead you toward competent practice and will document your progression to competent or even expert practice. In this way your competence is clearly demonstrated and allows you to use the tool as a revision or refresher tool in the future. At Vein Train we believe the NMC offers excellent guidance by describing how to identify competent practice. It is more than a certificate; It is: "A bringing together of general attributes - knowledge, skills and attitudes. Skill without knowledge, understanding and the appropriate attitude does not equate with competent practice." NMC, 2008 guidance for delegation

How Do I gain Competency?
Vein Train does not offer placements in clinical areas. The booklet and attending the course should, however, help you gain access to supervision because it will demonstrate that you have received up to date theory and practical training on the study day and a tool to guide supervisors in assessing your competence. The booklet is widely in use in the NHS with 20,000 currently in circulation and adopted for use with the whole of South Central SHA, and Southampton Medical School. Additionally Vein Train is owned by one of the authors who has also co-written the only venepuncture and cannulation book in the UK. This will assist in you demonstrating you have been on a high quality training course. All good managers should request this type of information before allowing you to practice on patients.