Training Modules for HIV Point of Care Testing Counsellors
Each HIV rapid testing site in Ontario is responsible for training their staff. The Ministry of Health worked with the Ontario HIV Treatment Network to update Ontario’s guidance on the delivery of HIV testing and counselling, for both anonymous testing and rapid testing. The following training modules were developed to support self-directed learning.
NOTE: These modules and materials replace all previous guidance on the delivery of HIV anonymous and rapid testing. Use these modules and materials in conjunction with the information provided in the Point of Care Testing drop down menu.
At anonymous and rapid point of care testing sites, HIV testing staff:
- Learn about the client’s needs and help clients assess their risk of HIV infection
- Explain the test and ensure that the client consents to HIV testing
- Conduct rapid HIV testing and reporting
- Provide initial emotional, social and medical support when people have a reactive test
- Offer referral to services (including prevention, HIV care and testing for other STIs)
The training modules available here teach testers to undertake these tasks. Please take our evaluation survey of the modules!
Module 1: The Role of an HIV Test Counsellor
Trainee – Take Home Materials | Quiz on the content of this module
Additional module 1 materials for facilitators:
Facilitator’s summary | Download training slides as PowerPoint for presentation
Module 2: Assessing HIV Risk
Trainee – Take Home Materials | Quiz on the content of this module
HIV Comprehensive Counselling Checklist – to support clients unfamiliar with testing
Express Testing Checklist – may be used to support routine testing
Additional module 2 materials for facilitators:
Facilitator’s summary
Module 3: Delivering Results and Providing Support
Trainee – Take Home Materials
Additional module 3 materials for facilitators:
Facilitator’s summary | Role-play scenarios | Download training slides as PowerPoint for presentation
Module 4: The Science and Practice of HIV testing
Trainee – Take Home Materials
Additional module 4 materials for facilitators:
Facilitator’s summary | Download training slides as PowerPoint for presentation
Module 5: Performing the Rapid Screening Test
Trainee – Take Home Materials | Interpreting HIV Test Results (reference card)
Quiz on the contents of this module
Additional module 5 materials for facilitators:
Facilitator’s summary | Download training slides as PowerPoint for presentation
Module 6A: Requisitions and Reporting (Nominal)
Module 6A is for counsellors at POC testing sites doing nominal HIV testing.
Trainee – Take Home Materials
Quiz on the contents of this module
Additional module 6A materials for facilitators:
Facilitator’s summary| Download training slides as PowerPoint for presentation
Module 6B: Requisitions and Reporting (Anonymous)
Module 6A is for counsellors at designated Anonymous Testing sites.
Trainee – Take Home Materials
Quiz on the contents of this module
Additional module 6B materials for facilitators:
Facilitator’s summary| Download training slides
Module 7: Quality Assurance and Inventory Management
Tools: Quality Assurance Templates for download | A Quick Reference Guide to Order Supplies
Trainee – Take Home Materials
Quiz on the contents of this module
Additional module 7 materials for facilitators:
Facilitator’s summary | Download training slides as PowerPoint for presentation
Often this brief version of the quality assurance slides is used during a group training when many modules are covered in a day. Trainees are encouraged to review the full unit later.
Thank you for using the Training Modules for HIV Point of Care Testing Counsellors. We hope this resource helps you to be more effective as an HIV POC tester. We would like to learn about your experience to make this resource even more useful. Take the evaluation survey.