How to practice your phlebotomy skills with a training arm

While we all know that doctors and nurses have the ability to draw blood themselves, phlebotomists are specialized in this area and are experts at obtaining blood specimens. In fact, some phlebotomists can draw blood painlessly.

Most likely, you will complete your first venipuncture on a phlebotomy training arm. This innovative device is used to teach phlebotomists how to draw blood from a vein.

Practicing with the Arm

The arm offers phlebotomists a way to get a feel for the texture, density and shape of the skin and veins. This is a great way to practice venipuncture without having to stick someone else.

Some schools choose to have a more expensive, advanced training arms that all the students take turns using; whereas, others choose a less advanced, inexpensive arm that allows each student to have her own.

Veni-Dot Training Arm

One of the least expensive models is the Veni-Dot Training Arm. It offers two vein sizes. A certified phlebotomist designed The Veni-Dot Training Arm. It realistically simulates the density and texture of an actual arm. It can be used repeatedly.

For about $120, you will receive:

• The training arm
• 150 mL of simulated blood
• A case

Nita Newborn™

One of the more difficult tasks that a phlebotomist will encounter is drawing blood from a newborn. There is also an infant training model available for phlebotomists to practice on. This model is an anatomically correct infant called Nita Newborn™.

This life-like model has realistic wall thickness and vein size. It has veins in its arms, right leg and head. These areas are constructed with a latex-free material that offers 50 percent less needle drag. This model can also be used to teach nurses and doctors various infant-specific procedures.

Nita Newborn™ costs about $700 and your purchase includes the:

• Infant model
• Headcap skin
• Right and left arm skins
• Blue veins with tubing
• Blood reservoir bag
• ID bracelet
• Diaper
• Carrying case
• Umbilicus; and
• One quart of simulated blood

When you access a vein, you will feel a pop as the needle enters it. You will then receive a realistic flow of simulated blood that confirms you have placed the needle in the vein properly.

Heel Stick Simulator

When a venipuncture is not necessary, a heel stick is typically used to obtain blood from an infant. This is another procedure that a phlebotomist must be able to complete properly. The blood may be unusable if a specific procedure is not adhered to.

There is an infant Heel Stick Simulator available to help phlebotomists learn the proper heel stick procedure. Having this simulator to practice on builds confidence and adds to a phlebotomist’s skill level. The heel stick simulator costs around $20 for a 3/pack and is meant for demonstration purposes. It does not use simulated blood.

Pediatric Training Arm

The Pediatric Training Arm is the exact reproduction of the arm of a six-year-old. It offers a realistic size and feel to provide phlebotomists with an excellent tool for training. The Pediatric Training Arm costs about $500.

With your purchase, you receive:

• The training arm
• A 3 cc syringe
• The teaching guide
• A fluid supply bag
• One pint of simulated blood
• A hard carrying case

Venipuncture Training Arm Advanced White

Life/form® Advanced Venipuncture Arm White/Black

This advanced arm has an extensive eight-line vascular system. This vascular system offers phlebotomy students the primary and secondary venipuncture locations to practice with.

This arm looks, feels and even moves like a real patient. You can develop your manipulation skills because of the flexion at the wrist. The skin will roll as the you palpate the veins and a pop is felt when entering a vein during practice. This model has 10 veins for you to choose from, a deltoid muscle and an intradermal injection sites.

This model costs about $570 and comes with:

• One 12 cc syringe
• One 3 cc syringe
• Two quarts of simulated blood
• One needle
• An Instruction Manual
• Two fluid bags
• A carrying Case

These products are a great way to learn the art of phlebotomy. By following the hyperlinks on this page, you will find all of these products available for purchase. When purchasing a training arm or a related product, make sure you get in touch with the seller to verify that your purchase matches the product description (what’s included etc).

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