- Home
- Health & Safety
- Suctioning Course
Suctioning Course
£15 + VAT
Written By Allison
- CPD Accredited | Instant Certificate | Mobile Friendly | Bulk Discounts Available
Trusted by care providers, healthcare organisations, businesses and workplace teams
The Suctioning Course provides an introduction to airway suctioning, respiratory and tracheostomy care. Learners explore the respiratory system, suctioning techniques, airway assessment, suction pressures, Yankauer devices, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal suctioning, monitoring and potential complications. It is suitable for healthcare and care professionals who need suctioning knowledge as part of induction, refresher training or role-specific development.
Suctioning Course Summary
Course Name: Suctioning Course
Duration: 1 Hour
Delivery: Online Training Course
Certificate Included: Instant Digital Certificate
Accreditation: CPD Accredited – 1 CPD Point
Suitable For: Healthcare professionals, nurses, healthcare assistants, community care staff, tracheostomy care teams and other workers supporting people who may require airway suctioning
Assessment: Online Multiple Choice Test
Access: Instant Access
Duration
1 hour
CPD Points
1
Last Updated:
30 Sep 2025
What is Suctioning Course training?
Suctioning training teaches healthcare and care professionals about the safe removal of secretions from a person’s airway when they cannot clear them effectively themselves. This can include oral, nasopharyngeal and tracheostomy suctioning.
The Suctioning Course explains relevant terminology, respiratory anatomy, suctioning techniques and the differences between respiratory and tracheostomy suctioning. Learners also examine airway assessment, suction pressure, airway devices, monitoring and possible complications.
Suctioning is a clinical procedure with potential risks, including airway trauma and deterioration in the person’s condition. The National Tracheostomy Safety Project (NTSP) emphasises that suction requirements vary between patients and according to their clinical condition.
Online learning should therefore support, rather than replace, appropriate practical training, competency assessment, supervision and local clinical procedures where suctioning forms part of the learner’s role.
CPD Accredited
User friendly interactive courses
Instant Access
Enrol Now – Start Instantly
Certify Instantly
Certificate Available Immediately
Learn on Any Device
Train on Phone, Tablet or Computer
Money Back Guarantee
14 Day Money Back Guaratnee
How Would You Like to Access This Course?
Flexible options for individuals, staff teams and organisations
1
Instant Online Purchase
From 1 to 100+ learners • Bulk discounts available • Instant online access and certificates included
- Instant Access - No Quote Required
- CPD Accredited Certificates Included
- 100% Online & Mobile Friendly
- Assign Courses to Staff, Friends or Family
- Track Progress and Completions Online
- 14 Day Money Back Guarantee
£15 + VAT
CPD • Certificate included • Start instantly
Quantity
Per Course Price
1+ Courses
£15 + Vat
5+ Courses
£9.40 + Vat
10+ Courses
£8.49 + Vat
30+ Courses
£7.99 + Vat
50+ Courses
£6.49 + Vat
100+ Courses
£4.99 + Vat
2
Need Ongoing Staff Training?
Best value for teams of 8+ learners who need regular mandatory, induction and refresher training.
- Save Money on Staff Training
- Access Our Full 200+ Course Library
- Instant certificates issued
- Track Compliance Across Your Team
- Free Learner Replacements
- Reporting & Certificate Management
- CQC inspection ready
- Lowest price guarantee
- Dedicated Support
Best Price Guarantee • CQC Inspection Ready
When should I choose Caredemy Teams?
Caredemy Teams is ideal for organisations with 8+ learners who need access to multiple courses for mandatory training, induction training, and annual refreshers. Benefit from our best-value pricing, free learner replacements, compliance reporting, and access to our full course library. If you only need a small number of CPD courses, you can buy online instantly.
Access friendly, dedicated expert support whenever you need it, with guidance available throughout your learning journey
All-access individual subscription
Get unlimited access to 200+ CPD-accredited courses. One low monthly price. Learn anytime.
Buy any 5 courses for £47
Mix and max any courses.
CPD accredited - Certificates included.
Who Is This Course For?
The Suctioning Course is suitable for people working in healthcare, social care and community settings where they support individuals who require respiratory or airway management.
Relevant learners may include registered nurses, healthcare assistants, nursing associates, critical care staff, respiratory care staff, community nurses, complex care workers, hospice and palliative care teams, care home staff, domiciliary care workers, tracheostomy care teams, paramedics and other appropriately authorised healthcare professionals.
It can be used for induction, refresher training, knowledge development and supporting role-specific clinical training.
Staff who physically perform suctioning must also receive appropriate practical instruction, supervision and competency assessment according to their role, employer procedures and the individual’s care plan. Completing an online Suctioning Course alone should not be treated as evidence that a learner is clinically competent to perform suctioning independently.
Key Benefits
✓ Understand when and why airway suctioning may be required
✓ Recognise different suctioning techniques and airway devices
✓ Identify key components of tracheostomy and suction equipment
✓ Recognise risks and potential complications associated with suctioning
✓ Understand the importance of assessment and monitoring before, during and after suctioning
✓ Support safer, role-appropriate respiratory and tracheostomy care
Course Modules
- Course Introduction – Suctioning
- What is Suctioning
- Suctioning Terminology
- Suctioning Techniques
- Respiratory versus Tracheostomy Suctioning
- The Respiratory System
- ABCs of Patient Care
- Respiratory Failure and Respiratory Arrest
- Treatment Approaches to Respiratory Failure and Arrest
- Tracheostomy
- Components of a Tracheostomy Tube
- Two Suctioning Methods
- Assessments for Airway Suctioning
- Monitoring During and After Suctioning
- Potential Complications and Risks
- Airway Suctioning via Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal Airways
- Yankauer Suction Devices
- Suctioning Pressure
- Oropharyngeal Suctioning
- Correct Insertion Sequence for an OPA
- Nasopharyngeal Suctioning
- NPA Duration of Use
- NPA Insertion
- Stimulating a Cough
Ready to start?
Learning Outcomes
| Learner Outcome                                                           | Covered |
|---|---|
| Explain what airway suctioning is and why it may be required | ✓ |
| Identify key terminology associated with suctioning | ✓ |
| Describe the main structures and functions of the respiratory system relevant to airway management | ✓ |
| Distinguish between respiratory and tracheostomy suctioning | ✓ |
| Recognise signs associated with respiratory failure and respiratory arrest | ✓ |
| Identify the main components of a tracheostomy tube | ✓ |
| Describe different suctioning methods and techniques | ✓ |
| Identify assessments required when considering airway suctioning | ✓ |
| Explain what should be monitored during and after suctioning | ✓ |
| Recognise potential risks and complications associated with suctioning | ✓ |
| Explain the purpose and use of Yankauer suction devices | ✓ |
| Describe key considerations relating to suction pressure | ✓ |
| Distinguish between oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal suctioning | ✓ |
| Describe the principles associated with OPA and NPA insertion covered by the course | ✓ |
| Explain the role of coughing in airway secretion clearance | ✓ |
Training 8+ Staff Across Multiple Courses?
Purchasing multiple licences for this Fire Extinguisher Training course? Simply adjust the quantity and buy online today.
If you need ongoing training for 10+ employees across multiple subjects, our Team Training platform provides access to 200+ CPD accredited courses, compliance reporting, learner management and bulk enrolment tools.
- Access 200+ CPD Accredited Courses
- Manage All Learners In One Place
- Compliance & Audit Reporting
- Bulk Enrolment & Certificate Tracking
- Dedicated Account Support
Team Training Solutions
Ideal for care providers, healthcare organisations and workplace teams training multiple employees.
Why Choose Caredemy?
- Instant Certificate
- CPD-accredited courses
- Money Back Guarantee
- Expert-designed training
- 120,000 learners trained
- Flexible online learning
- Compliance-focused
- Dedicated support
What Our Learners Say?
“Clear explanation of suctioning, airway assessment and the risks we need to recognise.”
Sarah M
Healthcare Assistant
“Useful refresher before completing our practical tracheostomy competency assessment.”
Daniel R
Support Worker
“Straightforward and particularly helpful for understanding monitoring and different suctioning methods.”
Priya K
Registered Nurse
4.84/5 from 79+ learners
Why Is Suctioning Course training important?
Airway suctioning may be required when a person cannot effectively clear respiratory secretions. In people with a tracheostomy, changes to normal humidification and coughing can contribute to mucus collecting within or around the tracheostomy tube.
Suctioning must be undertaken safely because inappropriate technique can cause harm. For example, inserting a suction catheter too deeply can cause trauma or irritation and may trigger a vagal response.
Effective training helps staff recognise when suctioning may be required, understand relevant equipment and techniques, identify complications and monitor the person appropriately.
For employers, suctioning training forms part of a wider competency framework that should include role-specific instruction, practical assessment, appropriate supervision, individualised care planning and adherence to local policies and procedures.
Instant Course Certificate
Is Suctioning Course training a legal requirement in the UK?
There is no single UK law stating that every healthcare or social care worker must complete a named “Suctioning Course”. However, employers and regulated providers have wider legal responsibilities to ensure staff carrying out clinical procedures are appropriately trained and competent.
In England, Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires regulated providers to deliver care safely, assess and mitigate risks, and ensure people providing care have the qualifications, competence, skills and experience necessary to do so safely.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 also requires employers to provide information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to protect employees’ health and safety.
Where suctioning is part of a worker’s duties, employers should therefore ensure appropriate training, practical competency assessment, supervision and adherence to care plans and clinical procedures.
Trusted by 120,000+ learners
Trusted by care providers, healthcare organisations, businesses and workplace teams across the UK for high-quality online training
Office & Commercial
Health & Social Care
Industrial, Warehousing & Facilities
Hospitality, Retail & Public Services
Suctioning Course training FAQ?
What is suctioning training?
Suctioning training teaches staff about removing respiratory secretions from a person’s airway when they cannot clear them effectively themselves. Training may cover oral, nasopharyngeal and tracheostomy suctioning, respiratory assessment, equipment, suction pressure, monitoring and complications. Practical competency training will also be required for staff expected to perform suctioning clinically.
Who needs suctioning training?
Suctioning training may be required by nurses, healthcare assistants, complex care workers, community healthcare staff, tracheostomy care teams and other appropriately authorised professionals who support people requiring airway management. The level of training required should reflect the worker’s responsibilities, clinical setting, patient needs and employer’s competency requirements.
Is suctioning training a legal requirement in the UK?
There is no universal law requiring every care worker to complete a specifically named suctioning course. However, healthcare and care providers have legal duties relating to safe care, risk management, staff competence and appropriate training. Staff expected to perform suctioning should therefore be trained and assessed as competent for the procedure they undertake.
How long does the Suctioning Course take?
The Caredemy Suctioning Course takes approximately 1 hour to complete. It is delivered entirely online, allowing learners to progress through the training at their own pace. Successful completion of the course and assessment provides an instant digital CPD-accredited certificate worth 1 CPD point.
Does an online suctioning course make me competent to perform suctioning?
No. Online training can provide important underpinning knowledge but should not, by itself, be treated as proof of practical clinical competence. Staff who perform suctioning should receive suitable practical instruction, supervised practice and competency assessment in accordance with their role, employer procedures, equipment used and the individual’s clinical or care plan.
What are the risks of airway suctioning?
Potential risks include airway or mucosal trauma, discomfort, bleeding and physiological deterioration. Excessively deep catheter insertion can cause trauma, irritation and potentially a vagal response. Safe suctioning therefore depends on appropriate assessment, technique, equipment selection, monitoring and staff competence.
How often should suctioning training be refreshed?
There is no single statutory UK refresher interval that applies to every worker performing suctioning. Employers should determine refresher and reassessment requirements according to the person’s role, local policy, clinical risk, frequency of performing the procedure and evidence of competence. Additional training may be required following changes to equipment, procedures, responsibilities or an identified competency concern.
What does the Suctioning Course cover?
The course covers suctioning terminology and techniques, respiratory versus tracheostomy suctioning, the respiratory system, ABCs of patient care, respiratory failure and arrest, tracheostomy tubes, airway assessments, monitoring, complications, Yankauer devices, suction pressure, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal suctioning, OPA and NPA considerations, and stimulating a cough.
Need Training for Multiple Employees?
Train your entire workforce through Caredemy Teams with bulk enrolment, compliance reporting and access to 200+ CPD courses.
- CPD-accredited certificate
- Instant Certificate
- Learn of Any Device
- Money-back Guarantee
Related Courses You May Like
UK Regulations And Guidance
£15 + Vat
Suctioning Course
- CPD Accredited
- Instant Certificate
- Instant Access
- Bulk Discounts Available