Program Overview
The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Bloodborne Pathogens Training course is to teach participants how to protect themselves and others from exposure to bloodborne pathogens on the job, and what to do if an exposure occurs. The course content and activities will prepare participants to make appropriate decisions about preventing bloodborne pathogen disease transmission.
The purpose of the American Red Cross Bloodborne Pathogens Training course is to teach participants:
What bloodborne pathogens are.
- How bloodborne pathogens are spread.
- How to help prevent exposure incidents by following work practice controls, using engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE), practicing good personal hygiene and properly cleaning and disinfecting equipment and supplies.
- How to recognize, report and follow up on employee exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.
Participants who successfully complete this course and achieve defined levels of proficiency will receive a 1-year “Bloodborne Pathogens Training” certification.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
| December 01, 2021 | • r.2021 Bloodborne Pathogens program digital release on the Red Cross Learning Center
• r.2021 version of Bloodborne Pathogens course available in in the Red Cross Learning Center |
| August 30, 2022 | • Last date to deliver the r.2016 Bloodborne Pathogens Training Course.
|
Course and Certifications
Bloodborne Pathogens Training
The classroom version of the Bloodborne Pathogens Training is designed to be completed in one 1-hour session. This is based on a ratio of 25 participants to one instructor.
Bloodborne Pathogens Training Instructors
American Red Cross instructors certified in one of the programs listed below who are knowledgeable in the course content may deliver the Bloodborne Pathogens course.
- First Aid/CPR/AED
- Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
- CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers
- Lifeguarding
- Emergency Medical Response
- Nurse Assistant Training
- Wilderness and Remote First Aid
Instructors knowledgeable in the course content know the course learning objectives and have a working understanding of the course content. To become knowledgeable in the course content, instructors must obtain, review and retain all course materials. The Bloodborne Pathogens Training Instructor self-study bridge course, the Bloodborne Pathogens Training Instructor Course and the Bloodborne Pathogens Instructor Candidates page will be retired upon release of the updated version of this course (r.2021).
Course Codes and Certification
New course codes are available in the Red Cross Learning Center with “r.21” versions added at the end of the course name. For a full list of AP/LTP First Aid/CPR/AED courses and pricing, see the Training Provider Price List available under Administration Information under the Resources Section on the Red Cross Learning Center.
A summary of the course with certification is provided in the table below:
| Instructor-Led Training Course Name | Course Code/Version | Course Duration (H:MM) | Certification |
| Bloodborne Pathogens Training | HSSSBBP101-
r.21 |
1 hour | 1 year |
Product Information
Digital Materials
The following materials will be available in digital format on the Red Cross Learning Center:
- Bloodborne Pathogens Training Instructor’s Manual
- Bloodborne Pathogens Training Skill Sheet
- Bloodborne Pathogens Training Course Presentation (available in PPSX versions and via the Course Presentation Manager)
- Bloodborne Pathogens Training Videos
- Bloodborne Pathogens: Knowledge Is Your First Defense
- The Chain of Infection
- Staying Safe on the Job: A Shared Responsibility
- Removing Latex-Free Disposable Gloves
- Handwashing
- Cleaning Up Spills of Blood and Other Potentially Infectious Materials
- Safely Responding to an Incident Involving Bloodborne Pathogens
Additional Resources
Continuing Education Units
The American Red Cross has been approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). As a result, Red Cross is authorized to offer IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for qualified programs. Additional information about CEUs is available at redcross.org.
Red Cross Learning Center
The Red Cross Learning Center (redcrosslearningcenter.org) provides functionality for American Red Cross Training Services users to administer, track, report and deliver training, as well as maintain certification data. The Red Cross Learning Center includes all of the content used by students, instructors and training provider partner administrators in one place. Users access different resources and functionality based on user profile roles – roles: student, instructor, partner administrator.
Program Page on the Red Cross Learning Center: Bloodborne Pathogens Training
- This password-protected page for current American Red Cross instructors houses all training materials, resources and documents needed to teach the Bloodborne Pathogens Training course.
Training Support Center
The Training Support Center (TSC) is available to assist Training Providers with program inquiries, course record entry, billing inquiries, and other support functions for administrators, instructors, and instructor trainers. TSC representatives are available through the “Click to Chat” or “Create a Support Case” functionality on the Red Cross Learning Center (www.redcrosslearningcenter.org) “Questions” page, by e-mail at support@redcrosstraining.org, or by phone at 1-800-RED-CROSS.
The hours of operation for the TSC are:
Monday—Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
