Blood Transfusion Training – Level 3 Online Course – CPD Accredited

Welcome to our online Blood Transfusion Level 3 Training Course (blood component transfusion) for front-line healthcare professionals.

Using blood and blood components is a standard therapeutic procedure in NHS and private hospitals. Blood transfusion, if used safely and appropriately, will improve the quality of life or be a life-saving treatment for many patients.

Doctors and nurses, in particular, have an essential role in a safe blood transfusion. Therefore, registered nurses must have sufficient knowledge of the situations, amounts and methods of using blood components, possible side effects and necessary care of those receiving blood transfusions.

Certificate duration: 2 years
Entry requirements: No entry restrictions
Recommended prerequisites: N/A
Assessment type: End of course assessment
Assessment pass mark – 80% needed to pass and gain a CPD certificate
Cost(s) of assessment and certification – All costs included in the course price

Who is the course for?
This online Blood Transfusion training course is primarily aimed at those healthcare staff who are not directly involved in blood sampling, the decision to transfuse, or administering blood transfusions. However, senior clinical staff, including specialist nurses and doctors, will also find this course beneficial.

Healthcare staff who are specifically involved in the clinical decisions related to the blood transfusion process will receive more specialised training, and this may include completing the individual NHS Trust or private hospital’s internal classroom training or e-learning. Speak to your line manager or learning and development lead if you think this applies to you.

What is covered in this course?

This online Blood Transfusion training course covers the following:

• The different blood groups and why people must get the correct blood group in a blood transfusion,
• Different types of blood products and their purposes,
• The purpose of a red cell transfusion, platelet transfusion and a Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) transfusion,
• ABO and the Rh D blood groups.
• How a patient’s blood group is determined,
• The difference between a group and screen sample and a crossmatch sample,
• The correct process of labelling blood samples,
• Why blood transfusions are sometimes clinically necessary,
• The risks and benefits associated with blood transfusions,
• Alternatives to blood transfusions – for example, oral iron tablets,
• The concerns patients may have about receiving a blood transfusion,
• The importance of gaining the patient’s consent for a blood transfusion and the reasons why some patients may refuse this treatment,
• The process associated with blood transfusion, including:
• Blood sample collection,
• The correct procedure of collection and transportation of blood components,
• Collecting a blood bag from the blood storage point,
• Safety checks,
• Blood product administration to a patient,
• Critical checks clinical staff must make and why they are required,
• The equipment needed for a blood transfusion.
• The safe process for the administration of different blood components,
• Potential adverse reactions to a blood transfusion,
• The risks of blood transfusion, including severe allergic reactions,
• Managing risks related to blood transfusions,
• Documentation about blood component transfusion.

Who can take the course?

Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements.

What is the structure of the course?
The course is broken down into bite-sized modules. You’re free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each section, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.

Where / when can I study the course?
You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web-based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers and most tablet devices etc. so you can even study while on the move! As long as you have access to the internet, you should be able to study anywhere that’s convenient.

Is there a test at the end of the course?
Once you have completed all the modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken at a time and location of your choosing.

What if I don’t pass the test?
If you don’t pass the test first time then you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.

When will I receive my certificate?
Once you have completed your test you can log in to your account and download/print your certificate any time you need it.

How long does it take to complete the course?
We estimate that the entire program is likely to take around 2-4 hours to work through initially, but you may want to allow more time to repeat some areas. You should allow an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.