Needlestick and BloodBorne Virus Training

Needlestick and Blood Borne Virus Training

Needlestick and Blood Borne Virus Training course provides healthcare and support staff with essential skills to manage needlestick injuries and prevent the spread of blood borne viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

It covers safe handling of sharps, first aid response, reporting procedures, infection control, PPE use, and UK safety regulations.

Delivered as a 3-hour group session, the training includes practical examples and discussions to build confidence in high-risk settings.

Upon completion, participants receive a Level 2 certificate endorsed by Skills for Care, equipping them to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.

📚 Relevant: Emergency First Aid Course | Infection Control Training | Health and Safety Awareness Course

Course Information:

• Course Duration: 2-3 Hours (half-day)
• Course Level: Level 2
• Certificate: 2-year certificate
• Max Delegates: 12
• Practical: No
• Course Mode: Face to Face/ Online (Virtual)

Course Outline: Needlestick Awareness

1. Introduction to Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs)

• What is a blood borne virus?
• How BBVs can affect health
• Why this training is important in care and healthcare settings

2. Where Used Needles May Be Found

• Common places where used needles might be left
• Who is at risk and how to stay alert
• Safe behaviour around sharp objects

3. Understanding Major Blood Borne Viruses

• Hepatitis B: what it is, how it spreads, signs to look for, and treatment
• Hepatitis C: how it is different from Hepatitis B, signs, and care options
• HIV: what it means, how people get it, early symptoms, and how it is treated

4. How to Prevent Needlestick Injuries

• Safe ways to handle and throw away needles
• Using protective equipment (like gloves)
• Working safely to avoid accidents

5. First Aid for Needlestick Injuries

• What to do if someone gets a needlestick injury
• First aid steps to take right away
• When and how to report the injury
• Follow-up actions and seeking medical help

Who Should Take This Course?

This Needlestick and Blood Pathogen training is helpful for anyone who may come into contact with used needles or is at risk of needlestick injuries, including:

• Healthcare assistants
• Nurses and nursing students
• Doctors and medical staff
• Care home workers
• Support workers
• Cleaners in hospitals or care settings
• Waste disposal staff
• First aiders and emergency responders
• Community and outreach workers
• Tattoo and piercing artists

Healthcare Staff and others who might be at risk should receive proper training on bloodborne viruses and follow safe working practices to reduce risks.

If you get a needlestick injury, it’s important to report it immediately and get checked by a healthcare professional for advice and further care.

What Does Bloodborne Pathogens Training Cover?

This course teaches you about blood borne viruses like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, and how to avoid getting them from used needles. You’ll learn what to do if you accidentally get poked by a needle and how to stay safe.

This training helps people understand and learn:

• Bloodborne pathogens: Learn about common germs like Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV, how they spread, and the health risks they cause.
• Workplace dangers: Find out where you might come into contact with bloodborne viruses at work, like needlesticks, sharp objects, and splashes of blood or body fluids.
• General precautions: Understand how to treat all blood and body fluids as if they could carry infections. This includes washing hands properly, wearing protective gear like gloves, and safely disposing of contaminated items.
• Safety controls: Learn how things like sharps containers and safe needle devices can help reduce the chance of being exposed to bloodborne pathogens.

What to do after exposure: Know what to do if you accidentally come into contact with bloodborne viruses, including reporting the injury, getting checked by a doctor, and following the right steps for care.

Where is the Blood Borne Virus training conducted?

We provide training in two ways:

1. On-Site at your place and
2. At our training offices within UK.

With both choices, our skilled trainers give the training in person, offering personalised guide and hands-on learning for an effective training experience.

Is the training online, face-to-face, or blended?

Of course! Our skilled trainers will give you face-to-face training either at your place or ours, giving you personal instruction and hands-on learning for the best training experience.

Using interactive teaching methods, our experienced trainers make learning enjoyable and effective by engaging participants.

Benefits of Bloodborne Pathogens Training:

Here are the reason to attend our Bloodborne Pathogens Training:

1. Less chance of getting infected: By learning how these germs spread and following safety rules, people can lower their chance of getting really sick.
2. Follow the rules: Training helps people do their jobs the right way, following the rules made by groups like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the UK.
3. Make work safer: Promote a way of working where people are more aware of staying safe, making workplaces safer for everyone.
4. Increase individual confidence: Gives people the knowledge and skills to feel more sure about working safely in places where they might be at risk of meeting these germs.

Getting trained on blood germs is not just a rule; it’s really important to keep people safe.

If healthcare workers, first responders, and others learn and use what they know, they can make their workplaces much safer and healthier for everyone.

Career Opportunities

By completing the trainer-led half-day training in Needlestick and Blood Borne Virus Safety, you can open up many job opportunities, including:

• Healthcare Assistant: Help patients and support medical staff while following safe ways to avoid blood borne viruses.
• Nurse or Nursing Assistant: Work in hospitals, clinics, or care homes, providing care and making sure you follow safe methods when handling needles and sharps.
• Infection Control Officer: Make sure proper rules are followed in healthcare settings to reduce the risk of blood borne viruses.
• Health and Safety Specialist: Advise healthcare workplaces on how to reduce risks from sharps injuries and blood borne viruses.
• First Aider: Be ready to help in emergencies if a needlestick injury happens and give first aid.
• Care Worker: Provide safe care in homes or care homes while avoiding needlestick injuries.
• Safety Trainer: After gaining experience, you can train others in healthcare settings to stay safe from needlestick injuries and blood borne viruses.

Completing this course helps you stay safe and can also improve your career prospects in various healthcare and safety roles.

Needlestick and Blood Borne Virus Training – FAQs

1. What is Needlestick and Blood Borne Virus (BBV) training?

Needlestick and Blood Borne Virus (BBV) training is very important for healthcare workers and others who may come into contact with sharp objects or blood in their jobs. This training helps reduce the risk of needlestick injuries and prevents the spread of bloodborne diseases like HIV and Hepatitis.

2. Who should take this course?

This course is for healthcare workers, care staff, support workers, and anyone who works with needles or in environments where blood borne viruses might be a risk.

3. How long is the course?

The course is a half-day training, taking around 2-3 hours.

4. Do I need any special skills or experience before taking the course?

No, you do not need any prior experience. This course is for everyone who wants to learn how to stay safe from blood borne viruses when working with needles.

5. Will I get a certificate?

Yes, after completing the course, you will receive a Level  2 certificate. This shows you have gained important knowledge about blood borne viruses and how to prevent needlestick injuries.

6. What will I learn in the course?

You will learn about blood borne viruses, how they spread, and how to prevent getting them from needles. You will also learn what to do if you get a needlestick injury and how to report it.

7. Is this course practical or just theory?

The course is a mix of theory and practical learning. We prepare you to be work-ready.

8. Where can I take the course?

The course is available both online (virtual) and in-person. Note that we only offer this training for a group of people (from 3 people above). The group size is 12 people per class. You can discuss with our course advisor for any special need.

9. How does this course help my career?

This training helps you stay safe and be more confident in your job. It also shows employers that you are trained in handling needlestick injuries and blood pathogens, which is important in healthcare roles.

Who is required to take bloodborne pathogen training?

Bloodborne pathogen training, like the Needlestick and Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Training, is important for people who may come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) in their jobs or care settings.

The following people should take this training, in line with UK regulations such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:

• Healthcare Professionals: Nurses, doctors, paramedics, and midwives working in hospitals, clinics, or community healthcare who handle needles, perform procedures, or manage bodily fluids.
• Care Staff: Support workers and caregivers in care homes, residential facilities, or home care settings who assist with medical tasks, personal care, or sharps disposal.
• Dentists and Dental Staff: Dentists, hygienists, and assistants exposed to blood or saliva during dental procedures.
• Laboratory Workers: Technicians and researchers handling blood samples or other biological materials in medical or research labs.
• Cleaning Staff in Healthcare Settings: Janitorial staff responsible for cleaning areas contaminated with blood or OPIM, or disposing of sharps waste.
• Emergency Responders: Paramedics, firefighters, and police officers who may encounter blood or bodily fluids during first aid or rescue operations.
• Tattooists and Piercers: Professionals using needles or handling blood in body art or piercing studios, required to follow health and safety standards.
• Waste Management Workers: Staff handling medical or sharps waste in healthcare facilities or waste disposal services.
• Social Workers and Community Support Workers: Those supporting vulnerable individuals in high-risk environments, such as drug rehabilitation or homeless shelters, where exposure to sharps is possible.
• Volunteers in Healthcare or Community Settings: People assisting in hospitals, hospices, or community health programmes where exposure to blood or sharps may happen.

In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and regulations like the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002 require employers to provide training for employees at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens to keep them safe and comply with the law.

While it is not always legally required for non-employees (e.g., volunteers), training is recommended for anyone in high-risk roles to protect themselves and others.

How long is bloodborne pathogen training good for?

In the UK, there is no set legal date for when bloodborne pathogen training, such as the Needlestick and Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Training, expires.

However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and industry guidelines recommend refreshing the training every 1-3 years, depending on workplace rules and risk levels.

In healthcare and care settings, it is often suggested to have annual refreshers because of the high risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. This ensures staff stay skilled in safe sharps handling, infection control, and how to respond to incidents.

Regular updates also help keep up with changing laws, like the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002.

Employers may ask for more frequent training if there are changes to workplace procedures, equipment, or laws, or after a needlestick incident to improve safety.

As I have told others... It is the best, most informative training I have ever attended