How Do I Get Bloodborne Pathogen Training?

Bloodborne pathogen training is available from a number of sources, depending on why the training is necessary. Colleges, universities, hospitals, labs, and other facilities where people may come into contact with blood as part of their work often provide classes to comply with internal requirements or government regulations. It is also possible to take independent workshops or courses aimed at members of specific professions, like tattoo artists and law enforcement officers. Before taking a bloodborne pathogen training course, it is important to make sure it will meet the trainee's need through an approved curriculum.

Doctors, nurses, and other health-care professionals receive training in bloodborne pathogen procedures while in school and often have access to refresher courses through their place of work. A hospital, clinic, or research facility may periodically sponsor courses to allow employees to refresh their skills or recertify. Often it occurs on the premises to make it easy for employees to go to class, and it may qualify for continuing education credits in professions where practitioners must show evidence of completing a set number of hours of education per year.

Public health clinics and other government agencies may provide bloodborne pathogen training to professionals at risk of exposure to such pathogens, because of the nature of the kind of work required. Police officers, firefighters, and teachers can get training through these programs. Sometimes an employer like a school district specifically requests a traveling educator to come and provide basic training and certification to employees.

Bloodborne pathogen training for tattoo artists and piercers is available through professional organizations. Many of these organizations offer correspondence training so members can acquire and maintain skills even when they are in remote areas. In other cases, it is possible to attend a workshop, usually with a limited number of spaces, in an urban area if enough members demonstrate interest, and the organization feels it would be worth paying for a class or workshop in a rented facility.

In all cases, bloodborne pathogen training should provide basic instruction in meeting government standards, such as the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration's guidelines on handling situations where bloodborne pathogens may be present. In addition, the course should familiarize attendees with industry standards and practices, if these go above and beyond the government requirements. In cases where specific certifications are necessary for employment, attendees should make sure the documentation from the class will be recognized before they start, to avoid attending a class that won't meet requirements.