CPD for phlebotomists
What continuing professional development means for phlebotomists in the UK, and how to keep a record of it.
Is CPD required?
Phlebotomists are not on a statutory register in the UK, so there is no statutory CPD requirement. Employers set their own expectations, and many ask for evidence of training and periodic competency reviews.
What counts
Formal learning such as courses and study days, and informal learning such as reading guidelines, discussing cases with colleagues, shadowing and reflecting on your own practice. What matters is being able to say what you learned and how it changed what you do.
Keeping a record
Log each activity with the date, what it was, what you learned and how you will apply it, and keep certificates alongside the log. A spreadsheet is enough. Review it regularly and set yourself goals.
Areas to cover
Venepuncture technique, difficult access, infection prevention, labelling and specimen handling, order of draw, particular patient groups, blood cultures, and recognising and managing complications.
General information only. It is not accredited CPD and does not replace your training, your employer's procedures or the receiving laboratory's requirements.
Related articles
Difficult veins
Approaches for patients whose veins are hard to find, feel or access.
Paediatric phlebotomy
Taking blood from children: communication, positioning, equipment and working with parents.
Taking blood from older patients
Adapting technique for fragile veins, thin skin and patients taking anticoagulants.
Butterfly needles
When a winged blood collection set helps, and how to use one well.
Lola Dispatch is invitation-only
Lola Dispatch offers mobile blood draw jobs to approved phlebotomists. We add phlebotomists by invitation.
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