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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why have I booked a course but haven't received a booking confirmation?

When you book a course online you will immediately receive two automated email confirmations - one confirms your credit or debit card payment (from Barclays Merchant Services) and one from ourselves. If you have not received either of these then the chances are that these confirmations have either been diverted (by your email programme) into your "spam" folder, or that you have inadvertently mis-spelt your email address during the booking process. If you have received one, but not the other, then the missing email is almost certainly sitting in your spam folder. This frequently happens with "free" email accounts such as hotmail. If you still cannot find them, or would like a replacement booking confirmation, please email us directly (not via our contact form) to: info@geopace.com.  This then confirms the validity of your email address.

Alternatively, if you have made a booking but would prefer your booking details to be posted to you, then please email us separately stating at which address you would like to receive them.

Q: Do I need to do any preparation before the course?

We will email you a "Reading List" for at the time of booking your course. This is a light reference pointing you to a number of online resources for you to study and should take you just a few hours. You will be required to confirm that you have completed this when you arrive on the first day, but will won't require any evidence or notes from you.

Q: When does the course start and finish? How many breaks will we get?

The course runs over two full days, either two concurrent weekdays or one weekend. Start time on both days is 9.30am and finish time is 5.00pm. Please check your booking confirmation for exact times. We will have a morning and afternoon break of around 15 minutes, and a lunchtime break of usually 45-60 minutes. Please note that end of day timings are approximate and may over or under-run by up to 30 minutes.

Q: How large are the classes?

We have small class sizes of between 10 and 15 students.  This gives everyone a fair chance and ample time to practice and obtain "blood" from our artificial arms.

Q: Will I need to take notes during the theory sessions?

We suggest you make notes as we work through the presentation material, which is a mix of slides, demonstrations and short videos. However, we will also make available to you a full set of the notes at the end of each day, and you will also have support material to help you on both days.

Q: How should I be prepared?

We recommend that you arrive around 10 minutes before the start on Day 1 (to allow for registration), and 5 minutes before the start on Day 2. Free coffee and tea on arrival! Please ensure that you bring a notepad and pen. For part of the practical sessions we will form into groups and practice on each other by looking for suitable veins with tourniquets (you will not be taking each other's blood). We therefore recommend that you dress with a short-sleeved or sleeveless top or T-shirt.

Q: Will the course be mainly classroom-based?

You will be spending a part of the two days looking at presentations, videos and making notes. However, there will be plenty of practical based sessions allowing you to look at and handle the equipment that phlebotomists use, as well as forming into groups for a quiz or two, as well as practising on an artificial arm (at least two sessions on Day 2). We are sure that by the end of the course you will not only have had the opportunity to thoroughly practise your new-found skills, but will have had an enjoyable time as well.

Q: Will I actually take blood with a needle?

Well, yes and no! You will be taking “blood” from prosthetic (artificial) arms with realistic veins as well as very realistic looking blood in them. Everyone will have the chance to experience all steps that a phlebotomist takes to a obtain blood sample.

Q: Will real blood be taken?

No students on this course will actually take real blood from a live human!

Q: Will there be an examination at the end?

No, we do not ask you to sit an formal examination, although you are required to provide a "Reflective Assignment", which you can complete during the course. We also have informal quizzes for you on both days which you can complete at your leisure during the course. We will mark these at the end of Day Two. Your progress will also be reviewed throughout the two days and on successful completion of the course your OCN Accredited Certificate is mailed to you, usually within 4-6 weeks.

Q: How long does the certificate last?

Your certificate is recommended for renewal 18 months after the certificate date (a one day refresher course), however we strongly recommend that you take our refresher course after 12 months if you have not actively worked as a phlebotomist. You will then be issued with a new certificate and up-to-date validity.

Q: Who are the lecturers?

We have a team of highly qualified tutors, some currently working within the NHS or Private Practices, and all having high competency skills in both teaching and phlebotomy. On any one course at least two of our team will alternate between teaching you and leading you through the course, and there may also be one other experienced phlebotomist may also deputise as a "helper" for our practical sessions.
All of our tutors are friendly and helpful, and will make you feel at ease and very welcome. They will ensure that you progress well and have an enjoyable time.

Q: Are there opportunities for funding for this course?

Yes, there are a number of institutions who may offer funding on condition that you fall into a qualifiable category. Please see our separate advice sheet “Funding Guide” for more information, and also you will find direct website links on our Information Page, which is updated regularly.

Q: What benefit will the Accredited Certificate be to me?

The successful completion of our course culminates in the awarding of an OCN Accredited Certificate at Level Two, awarding you 3 credits.

Nearly all applicants for junior phlebotomist’s posts in the UK, especially in the NHS, have no previous experience or qualifications. Applicants that can demonstrate that they have already made a significant commitment towards training are likely to have an strategic advantage and an improved chance of gaining employment.

Usually junior phlebotomy posts (Pay Band 2) within the NHS will offer you additional training. Once you have gained this competency and "hands on" experience with patients you may wish to apply for the better paid posts available elsewhere, including the private sector.

Q: Does this course give me a nationally recognised certificate?

The awarding body, OCN Credit4Learning, issues you with a Nationally Recognised Certificate. It is entirely at the discretion of an individual employer as to whether they choose to accept a specific qualification.

Currently there are no governing bodies for phlebotomists within the UK. Our course is designed to provide you with a thorough grounding in phlebotomy, along with an OCN Accredited Certificate, and therefore may give you a strategic advantage when applying for phlebotomy posts (for example NHS Pay Band 2 phlebotomy jobs). Many of our students have secured phlebotomy jobs following the successful completion of our course and this has led to prospective employees requesting a specific reference from us.

Q: How can I enquire about your courses?

You can email us directly at: info@geopace.com, or use our "Contact Form" which you will find at the foot of our Contacts Page. Alternatively you can see all available courses on the CoursesPlus+ website below:

Q: Are your courses covered by Public Liability Insurance?

Yes, all our courses are fully insured with Hiscox Insurance. We have £2,000,000 Public Liability cover as well as Professional Indemnity and Employer insurance.

Please view the following link (PDF file) to see our policy summary here:

HISCOX BUSINESS INSURANCE