Competency – More Than a Certificate - Phlebotomy, venepuncture, cannulation

At VeinTrain, competency isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a whole process that combines:

• Knowledge – tested through online learning and assessments.
• Skills – practised on our simulators and in clinical areas.
• Attitude – applying research and best practice with patients.

This is exactly how the NMC (2018) describes competent practice.

Route to Competency

1. Learn – complete theory online or face to face.
2. Practise – supervised sessions using your VeinTrain simulator.
3. Assess – knowledge tests, OSCEs, and supervised practice records.
4. Sign-off – take your Competency Booklet to your clinical supervisor.

Our structured programme has been adopted by over 40 NHS Trusts and used by nearly 100,000 learners across the UK.

The Competency Booklet

Your passport to practice:

• Pocket-sized, simple, and robust.
• Records theory, supervisions, and final assessments.
• Recognised by supervisors across the NHS.
• Developed by leading IV therapy experts and trainers.

Why It Matters

• Research shows it can take 17 years for evidence to reach patients.
• Our structured approach closes that gap – ensuring safe, up-to-date, research-based practice.
• Competency means confidence: for you, your team, and your patients.

How Long Does It Take?

• Theory: 45–90 minutes.
• Supervisions: usually 10–30 sessions (sometimes more).
• Clinical independence: often 3 weeks for ward nurses, or up to 3 months with limited exposure.
• Some learners are ready the very next day thanks to our structured system.

📖 Want the full detail? Click on the subject headers on the right 

 Route to Competency and NMC Registration

This pathway is designed for multi-professional use, providing a structured yet flexible method of achieving competency in venepuncture and/or cannulation. It can be adapted for specialities such as paediatrics and neonates

We provide a full training, education, and assessment package for large-scale rollouts – ideal for nursing colleges and medical schools. VeinTrain can deliver training, education, skills lab practice, assessment of ability and knowledge, and give all students the opportunity to move beyond ability (required by NMC to register) and achieve competency.

We recognise that full competency may not be possible until students move into their clinical speciality. However, we ensure that ability to perform the skills is achieved in accordance with NMC requirements:

NMC 2018: Venepuncture, Phlebotomy and Cannulation

“Those procedures outlined in Annexe B, Part I: Procedures for assessing needs for person-centred care, sections 1 and 2 also apply to all registered nurses, but the level of expertise and knowledge required will vary depending on the chosen field(s) of practice. Registered nurses must therefore be able to demonstrate the ability to undertake these procedures at an appropriate level for their intended field(s) of practice.” (NMC, 2018)

We support this by providing education, training, skills supervision, skills assessment, and knowledge assessment. For NMC registration you must demonstrate ability. We can assess this online using your vein simulator, with our e-learning curriculum guiding you from novice to expert.

Our aim is to demonstrate your knowledge and ability. From there, you can use your Competency Booklet or assessment tools to achieve clinical competency in practice.

Take a look at our.LEARNING OUTCOMES and how we match our full curriculum to practical learning on your route to competency.

Competency Booklet System                                                         

A walk through the booklet  - Instructions on how to use the tool  (15 minutes)       

Mary describing the booklet and how it works                             Sarah Explaining how the booklet works with the vein

 Papers about the  structured learning programme

VeinTrain has a long-standing history of contributing to international conversations on venepuncture and cannulation education through professional and clinical networks.

We are proud to have contributed learning resources, presentations, and sponsored educational materials to professional communities over many years. Supporting access to practical training has always been central to the programme’s ethos.

The Structured Learning Programme (SLP) is a collaborative body of work developed over nearly three decades, shaped by frontline clinicians, educators, professional societies, and system partners working to improve safety and consistency in vascular access practice.

The third edition of the SLP was formally endorsed by the National Infusion and Vascular Access Society (NIVAS) at the time and distributed to NIVAS members through board and secretariat processes. The programme and associated materials were presented at NIVAS events on more than one occasion, including under subsequent chairing arrangements.

VeinTrain supported this phase of the work by hosting activity, coordinating logistics, and donating copies of the Structured Learning Programme booklet free of charge to delegates and NIVAS members, in order to widen access to good practice and support workforce development. This contribution was made in good faith and without fee. The booklet was also provided free of charge at cost only to any participating NHS Trust and author also a NESC project which we gave licence to print another print run 10,000 plus a futher reprint for South Central SHA,with a minor edition (their logo and associated project on the inisde front cover, our usual place for main sponsors). NHS always recieve discounted rates and large private orders benefit from bulk rates purchase with the aim oif keeping the booklet sustainable.

The SLP reflects cumulative learning drawn from clinical practice, education, research, and professional collaboration over many years. Its development has been informed by multiple contributors and contexts, rather than owned by any single organisation.

Historical materials on this site reflect the factual context at the time of their creation. VeinTrain does not present NIVAS as endorsing or partnering with VeinTrain in relation to any current programmes or activities.

This article contains historical material reflecting collaborations at the time of recording. Current governance arrangements may differ

Also Sarah Phillips Chapter author of Education and Training in  Phillips et al 2011 Venepuncture and Cannulation: Wiley: Blackwells. Oxford

The Route to Competency using the Booklet System was led by our CEO Sarah Phillips, with over 20 years’ expertise and published authority in the field. The booklet is designed to be taken to your clinical area for competency sign-off.

• Used by nearly 100,000 learners, largely within the NHS, benefiting from bulk orders.
• Adaptable for specialist areas and private organisations (contact us for rates from 100+ units).
• Pocket-sized 2018 version developed alongside our Flatpack VeinTrain Tool, showcased at WISH, Qatar as one of only 20 global innovations.
• Developed by a team of healthcare professionals to standardise training and reduce repeated assessments when staff move between organisations.

“NHS staff make the difference where it matters most and we have an obligation to patients and the public to enable them to make best use of their talents.”
(Darzi, 2008, High Quality Care for All, NHS Next Stage Review, DoH, London, p.14)

This pathway is designed for multi-professional use, providing a structured yet flexible method of achieving competency in venepuncture and/or cannulation. It can be adapted for specialities such as paediatrics and neonates.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  for orders over 100 booklets for bulk order rates

The Authors of This Version

Sarah Phillips (CEO, VeinTrain Ltd. Former Lead Nurse, Multi-Professional Practice Education Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London Dr Lisa Dougherty OBE (Nurse Consultant IV Therapy), The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London Annie de Verteuil (Senior Clinical Skills Trainer), Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading Mary Collins (Lecturer Practitioner), Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary's Hospital

Competency Achievement

• You keep your vein simulator and videos permanently.
• Online course learners get 4–6 hours of structured teaching, then one year’s access to materials.
• Upload practice examples, share with colleagues, and receive feedback.
• Monthly LIVE online workshops and Q&A sessions.

Competency takes time – your first supervised practice will be on the Flatpack Vein, your final OSCE on a patient.

1. Attend a VeinTrain course – gain your certificate.
2. Use the Competency Booklet to integrate theory and practice in your clinical area.
3. Once complete, you are competent.
4. If using the online version, print spare supervisions and OSCE sheets.

Adopted by over 40 NHS Trusts and South Central SHA, the booklet acts as your passport to practice. Supervisors are likely to recognise it, giving reassurance of quality training.

Route to Clinical Competency using the structured approach

• The programme has been developed by a group of healthcare professionals with an interest and expertise in venepuncture and cannulation.
• The aim of the programme is to provide a standardised approach towards training and assessment in to encourage the use of these skills in clinical practice.
• This reduces the need for repeated training and assessments when practitioners move between healthcare organisations.
• NHS staff make the difference where it matters most and we have an obligation to patients and the public to enable them to make best use of their talents. Darzi (2008) High Quality Care For All: NHS Next Stage Review Final Report DoH. London. P 14
• The pathway to competency is designed for multi-professional use and will provide learners with a structured, simple, but robust method of gaining competence and knowledge in venepuncture and/or cannulation, upon adult patients.
• The programme has been developed primarily for use within adult patient care, it can be adapted by healthcare organisations and specialities, to encompass competency achievement within specialised care areas, such as paediatrics and neonates. 
• After completion the learner will have a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, with a record of their personal skill development, which can be recognised and therefore enable transfer of these skills across healthcare organisations.

How do I demonstrate competency with the VeinTrain system?

• You will practice throughout the course on the simulation equipment, as well as palpation and other areas, always applying theory to practical application with your vein.  This prepares you to return to your clinical area to practice under supervision
• You will take your Structured Learning Programme away with you and use it as a passport to practice after the your course or your online verision acheiving the competency completion certification.
• We take you from novice to expert using a simple and clear process, constanly practising whichever VeinTrain route you choose.
• Theoretical knowledge is documented and all supervised practices are recorded by any competent practitioner in your clinical area.  It is all recorded and you can upload your record onto your e-learning platform.
• Ultimately you will have a clear record of your learning that you can use to demonstrate competence and use this document for practice 
• The Structured Learning Programme has been adopted by over 40 NHS trusts and the whole of South Central SHA
• It was presented at NESC conference by Sarah Phillips who have adopted the booklet to help them improve practice 
• The booklet is free of charge and all learners at VeinTrain and at low cost for large orders or at cost for any fomer and current authors.
• Your course attendance is via your certificate which is noted in your booklet. 

Why Do I Need to Demonstrate Competency?

• Research shows it can take 17 years for evidence to reach practice.
• 69% of failures are due to evidence-based practice not being followed.
• Our Structured Learning Programme helps close the research-to-practice gap.

We ensure you:

• Apply research practically with patients.
• Stay curious and share updates with supervisors.
• Access updates, videos, podcasts, and seminal papers throughout your training.

VeinTrain is not simply about selling courses – it is about changing and improving practice of these essential skills.

How long does it take to acheive competent?

Gaining competency after the course.

At Vein Train we recognise that to gain competency experience is vital, so we ensure transfer the skills to practice safely with patients under supervision.  We provide a printed copy of the Structured Learning Programme to help you on your way. You also have your flatpack vein and videos, those on the e-learning programme offers  practical recorded workshops and LIVE online Q &A sessions monthly for one whole year. You will  receive a certificate of attendance from all routes. 

If you take your booklet to a supervisor they are more likely to have seen it now nearly 100,000 in use, you can direct your supervisor to our website so they know you have had quality education and training. 

• Theory: 45–90 minutes (booklet or online).
• Supervisions: Typically 10–30 (sometimes up to 50), ~20 minutes each.
• OSCE: Final clinical sign-off.

Our experience shows:

• London rollout: ~ 3  weeks for ward nurses to reach independent practice.
• With interruptions (leave, low exposure): ~3 months.
• Some online learners: ready the next day due to strong control and knowledge foundation.

Competency is individual – it depends on your pace, exposure, and prior experience.