Nurses Course
Transfusion Medicine
ISVPS Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate (VPPCert)
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Aug 2025 - Aug 2026
Jul 2026 - Aug 2027
The best online guidance for safe blood transfusion and management
Blood transfusions have been used to save lives for hundreds of years and their benefits are well documented. In veterinary practices, the use of transfusion medicine has become increasingly popular due to its effectiveness in treating both critically ill and surgical patients. This programme aims to help veterinary professionals improve their knowledge in all aspects of transfusion medicine, from understanding when a transfusion is required to the different techniques for safe blood collection and administration.
What you’ll learn...
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Topics will range between several key subjects within transfusion medicine, such as blood banking, product management, and conditions such as anaemia and adverse transfusion reactions, among others.
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The fundamental principles of blood types will also be covered, and discussion will be held around how and when to use compatibility testing to maximise transfusion efficacy.
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The course will ensure that you have a good understanding of the aims and risks of transfusions and learn how to take a proactive and significant role in transfusion cases.
Access the best online knowledge, suitable for all professional stages
Whether you are an experienced veterinary nurse/technician or still in the early stage of your career, this course will give you valuable insights that can help you save lives and grow professionally – both in referral and general practices. Learn how to take a proactive and significant role in transfusion cases and promote an evidence-based practice with the leading online CPD providers.
NOTE: Dates displayed on this program are subject to change.
Key features of this program
Recognised Course Director
Helen Rooney BSc (Hons) CVN, Cert Ed, Dip AVN (Medical), Cert ECCVN, RVN oversees the programme ensuring the latest content
Dedicated Programme Coordinator
A dedicated Programme Coordinator who will support you every step of the way
Accredited CPD
The NCert is awarded by our global qualifications provider ISVPS
Support and guidance from a Module Tutor who is recognised in their subject field
The specialist in the subject area will provide online support during each module and will be available to answer all your questions
8 varied modules
Covering key clinical subjects with clinical case discussions for a more comprehensive learning
100% online
Giving you access 24/7 via our world-leading Learning Management Platform
Expert Speakers
Leading experts in a variety of clinical topics delivering the latest content and who will guide you throughout the programme
Discussion forum
A discussion forum for conversation, debate and sharing cases with your peers and Module Tutors
Interactive and engaging modules
Which allow you to absorb the learning materials in an online environment
Leading online learning experience
Presentations, written notes, diagrams, interactive quizzes and exercises that test your knowledge as you work
Programme Details
Module Summary
- Blood banking and component therapy
- Blood products, product management and whole blood collection
- Erythrocyte antigens and the immune system
- Anaemia
- Haemostasis and common coagulation abnormalities
- Transfusion considerations and blood product administration
- Adverse transfusion reactions
- Autotransfusions, cell salvage, xenotransfusions and transfusion in other species
Please note the module order may be subject to change
Qualifications
Our Transfusion Medicine programme offers a comprehensive array of structured learning with the ultimate flexibility, allowing you to access the training you need while managing your busy practice life.
You can gain new knowledge and skills to apply in your practice, or work towards earning a recognised qualification.
This programme is provided by Improve Veterinary Education in collaboration with the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS).
Complete all modules and be eligible to apply for the Nurse Certificate (NCert) by purchasing and passing the required assessments with the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS).
The fees include ALL registration and exam fees to achieve an NCert from ISVPS.
NCert in Transfusion Medicine
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01 - Blood banking and component therapy
Key Learning Objectives.
- Blood banking – history, veterinary blood banking and governance, blood donation and donor safety and welfare, managing the blood supply chain
- Component therapy – what it is, advantages and disadvantages compared to use of whole blood, blood products and their manufacture; techniques and quality assurance
02 - Blood products, product management and whole blood collection
Key Learning Objectives:
- The indications for and action of each blood product
- Storage and shelf life for each blood product
- Fresh Whole Blood
- Stored Whole Blood
- Packed Red Blood Cells
- Plasma: Fresh Frozen Plasma, Frozen Plasma, Cryoprecipitate, Cryosupernatant
- Platelet Products
- Albumin
- Storage lesions
- Vein to vein traceability
- Blood collection in canines: donor criteria, equipment, technique
- Blood collection in felines: donor criteria, equipment, technique
03 - Erythrocyte antigens and the immune system
Key Learning Objectives
- What antigens are and how they affect the immune system?
- The significance of antigens and alloantibodies
- Canine erythrocyte antigens and alloantibodies
- Feline erythrocyte antigens and alloantibodies
- Blood typing: the different techniques, how it is performed
- Type compatibility
- Cross matching: what it is, when it is used, the different techniques, interpretation of the results and how they influence the transfusion
- The PBB Cross Match Service
- Important considerations when discharging a blood product recipient
04 - Anaemia
Key Learning Objectives
- Erythropoiesis: where it takes place, the developmental stages and the morphology of erythrocytes as they mature in canines and felines
- Factors influencing erythropoiesis
- Red cell evaluation using the haematology analyser and blood smears
- Diagnosing and classifying anaemia
- Erythrocyte abnormalities that may accompany anaemia, their identification and significance
- Common haemolytic anaemias in canines and felines
- Common hypoplastic anaemias in canines and felines
- Blood product of choice for management of anaemia
05 - Haemostasis and common coagulation abnormalities
Key Learning Objectives
- Basic haemostasis: platelet appearance and function, extrinsic, intrinsic and common pathways, sequential factor activation and clot breakdown
- Common hereditary and acquired coagulopathies encountered in canines and felines
- The clinical signs and physical examination findings associated with clotting disorders
- Tests used in practice to assess coagulation: BMBT, APTT, PT, TEG
- The use of blood products in the management of coagulopathies
06 - Transfusion considerations and blood product administration
Key Learning Objectives
- Factors to consider when deciding to transfuse
- How to correctly prepare units of red cells and plasma for administration
- How to safely administer blood products including recipient preparation and monitoring (plasma and red cell)
- Calculating infusion volumes and rates for a range of different patients and products
- How and when to split blood product units to smaller quantities
07 - Adverse transfusion reactions
Key Learning Objectives
- Factors to consider when deciding to transfuse
- How to correctly prepare units of red cells and plasma for administration
- How to safely administer blood products including recipient preparation and monitoring (plasma and red cell)
- Calculating infusion volumes and rates for a range of different patients and products
- How and when to split blood product units to smaller quantities
08 - Autotransfusions, cell salvage, xenotransfusions and transfusion in other species
Key Learning Objectives
- What autotransfusion is and when it may be performed
- The technique of cell salvage and its benefits and limitations
- The use of Xenotransfusions in veterinary practice
- The use of transfusions in species other than the dog and cat
Venue: online
Date: Aug 2025 - Aug 2026
NCert in Transfusion Medicine
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Accredited by
01 - Blood banking and component therapy
Key Learning Objectives.
- Blood banking – history, veterinary blood banking and governance, blood donation and donor safety and welfare, managing the blood supply chain
- Component therapy – what it is, advantages and disadvantages compared to use of whole blood, blood products and their manufacture; techniques and quality assurance
02 - Blood products, product management and whole blood collection
Key Learning Objectives:
- The indications for and action of each blood product
- Storage and shelf life for each blood product
- Fresh Whole Blood
- Stored Whole Blood
- Packed Red Blood Cells
- Plasma: Fresh Frozen Plasma, Frozen Plasma, Cryoprecipitate, Cryosupernatant
- Platelet Products
- Albumin
- Storage lesions
- Vein to vein traceability
- Blood collection in canines: donor criteria, equipment, technique
- Blood collection in felines: donor criteria, equipment, technique
03 - Erythrocyte antigens and the immune system
Key Learning Objectives
- What antigens are and how they affect the immune system?
- The significance of antigens and alloantibodies
- Canine erythrocyte antigens and alloantibodies
- Feline erythrocyte antigens and alloantibodies
- Blood typing: the different techniques, how it is performed
- Type compatibility
- Cross matching: what it is, when it is used, the different techniques, interpretation of the results and how they influence the transfusion
- The PBB Cross Match Service
- Important considerations when discharging a blood product recipient
04 - Anaemia
Key Learning Objectives
- Erythropoiesis: where it takes place, the developmental stages and the morphology of erythrocytes as they mature in canines and felines
- Factors influencing erythropoiesis
- Red cell evaluation using the haematology analyser and blood smears
- Diagnosing and classifying anaemia
- Erythrocyte abnormalities that may accompany anaemia, their identification and significance
- Common haemolytic anaemias in canines and felines
- Common hypoplastic anaemias in canines and felines
- Blood product of choice for management of anaemia
05 - Haemostasis and common coagulation abnormalities
Key Learning Objectives
- Basic haemostasis: platelet appearance and function, extrinsic, intrinsic and common pathways, sequential factor activation and clot breakdown
- Common hereditary and acquired coagulopathies encountered in canines and felines
- The clinical signs and physical examination findings associated with clotting disorders
- Tests used in practice to assess coagulation: BMBT, APTT, PT, TEG
- The use of blood products in the management of coagulopathies
06 - Transfusion considerations and blood product administration
Key Learning Objectives
- Factors to consider when deciding to transfuse
- How to correctly prepare units of red cells and plasma for administration
- How to safely administer blood products including recipient preparation and monitoring (plasma and red cell)
- Calculating infusion volumes and rates for a range of different patients and products
- How and when to split blood product units to smaller quantities
07 - Adverse transfusion reactions
Key Learning Objectives
- Factors to consider when deciding to transfuse
- How to correctly prepare units of red cells and plasma for administration
- How to safely administer blood products including recipient preparation and monitoring (plasma and red cell)
- Calculating infusion volumes and rates for a range of different patients and products
- How and when to split blood product units to smaller quantities
08 - Autotransfusions, cell salvage, xenotransfusions and transfusion in other species
Key Learning Objectives
- What autotransfusion is and when it may be performed
- The technique of cell salvage and its benefits and limitations
- The use of Xenotransfusions in veterinary practice
- The use of transfusions in species other than the dog and cat
Venue: online
Date: Jul 2026 - Aug 2027
NCert/VPPCert in Transfusion Medicine
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Pricing Billing
Transfusion Medicine
| Payment Option | First Payment | Second Payment(s) | Total Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Payment | 25.959DKK | - | 25.959DKK |
| Payment with Deposit | 2.596DKK | 23.363DKK | 25.959DKK |
| Payment in Installments | 2.985DKK | 3.358DKK x 8 (monthly) | 29.849DKK |
The fees include ALL registration and exam fees to achieve a VPPCert from ISVPS.
Payment Terms & Conditions
1. In order to confirm your place, we must receive payment in full or the relevant initial payment.
2. Please also see our full terms and conditions on our website – Terms and Conditions.
Registration Information
1. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
2. Where all available places are full, applicants will be offered first refusal for the next available date.
3. Improve International reserves the right to close the intake early if the number of applications received exceeds the number of available places.
4. Confirmation and enrolment details will then be sent to applicants once we have received a completed application form.
Venue: online
Date: Aug 2025 - Aug 2026
NCert in Transfusion Medicine
Get in touch
Accredited by
Pricing Billing
Transfusion Medicine
| Payment Option | First Payment | Second Payment(s) | Total Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Payment | 25.959DKK | - | 25.959DKK |
| Payment with Deposit | 2.596DKK | 23.363DKK | 25.959DKK |
| Payment in Installments | 2.985DKK | 3.358DKK x 8 (monthly) | 29.849DKK |
The fees include ALL registration and exam fees to achieve a VPPCert from ISVPS.
Payment Terms & Conditions
1. In order to confirm your place, we must receive payment in full or the relevant initial payment.
2. Please also see our full terms and conditions on our website – Terms and Conditions.
Registration Information
1. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
2. Where all available places are full, applicants will be offered first refusal for the next available date.
3. Improve International reserves the right to close the intake early if the number of applications received exceeds the number of available places.
4. Confirmation and enrolment details will then be sent to applicants once we have received a completed application form.
Venue: online
Date: Jul 2026 - Aug 2027
NCert/VPPCert in Transfusion Medicine
Get in touch
Accredited by
Extend your knowledge, skills and work towards an achievable qualification
Our online learning NCert/VTCert/VPPCert Programmes offer you structured learning and enable you to access training whilst working around your busy practice life. You can choose to gain new knowledge and skills to take back to practice or you can work towards an achievable qualification. You will be required to indicate at the time of booking which certificate you think you are eligible for.
NCert/ VTCert: Requirements for Certificate registration
The following may be eligible to enrol on to the programme:
- Qualified RVNs/VNs who have attended formal training and have a qualification in veterinary nursing which can be supported with a certificate or their RCVS or Veterinary Council of Ireland number. RVCS/VOI number or qualification certificate to be uploaded at registration
- Veterinary technicians who have attended formal training and have a Veterinary Technicians qualification which can be supported with a certificate. Certificate to be uploaded at registration
- All applicants must be working in a veterinary practice or be able to have access to a veterinary practice in order to be able to complete the written assessment (for example, you may need to ensure that this applies if you are a qualified veterinary nurse or technician working in the veterinary industry)
- Delegates can start the programme as soon as they have graduated/qualified and will be eligible for examination and assessment on completion of the programme
- In order to register for the certificate assessments, all delegates must have completed all modules of the programme
- Examination candidates must complete and pass the below:
- Written assessment
- 25 MCQ exam
- An Online applied knowledge examination (this is an applied theory interactive examination, which is taken online and is not a demonstration of skill competency)
- Successful candidates will receive a printed certificate, be included on ISVPS register of NCert/VTCert holders and be permitted to use the post-nominals associated with the certificate.
VPPCert: registration requirements
The following may be eligible to enrol on to the programme:
- Veterinary Nurses who have not attended formal training and therefore do not have a supporting certificate but have been working in practice in a Veterinary Nurse/Technician role for at least 2 years prior to the programme start date
- All delegates must be working in veterinary practice/clinical setting for the duration of the programme and certificate completion (in order to be able to complete the written assessment)
- All 3 of the eligibility documents below to be uploaded:
- A recent CV*(this should demonstrate that you have been working within a veterinary practice for at least 2 years prior to the programme start date)
- a signed letter from your employer stating that you are working in a veterinary practice in a nursing/technician role*
- a self-statement letter explaining your nursing experience and the relevance of taking the programme to your career*
Applicants who are not formally trained Veterinary Nurses/Technicians, such as laboratory research assistants, may apply but must provide all three of the supporting documents listed above.*
- In order to register for the certificate assessments, all delegates must have completed all modules of the training programme
- Examination candidates must complete and pass the following:
- Written assessment
- 25 MCQ exam
- An Online applied knowledge examination (this is an applied theory interactive examination, which is taken online and is not a demonstration of skill competency)
- Successful candidates will receive a printed certificate, be included on ISVPS register of VPP certificate holders and be permitted to use the post-nominals associated with the certificate
*Please note that all eligibility is reviewed and cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that all written assessments and examinations are to be completed in English
NCert/VPPCert in Transfusion Medicine
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Frequently Asked Questions
NCert in Transfusion Medicine
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