This comprehensive 4.5 day accreditation program is designed to equip participants with appropriate knowledge and skills to engage in pre- and post- HIV and hepatitis C antibody test discussion, and prevention education, in a range of settings.

Successful completion of the program results in accreditation with the Victorian Department of Heath. In accordance with the Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, anyone who provides HIV test information and counselling, who is not a medical practitioner, must be accredited through the Department of Health.  All accredited courses in Victoria include hepatitis C testing, as the issues in pre- and post-testing settings, for clients and practitioners, are very similar.

The course offered by ARCSHS contains enhanced hepatitis B content, including hepatitis B overview, risk assessment, and issues in pre and post test discussion.

This program also consists of an assessed pre-reading component.  Completion of the pre reading task, which may take up to 5 hours, must be completed prior to commencement.  The course itself runs for 4.5 days.

Course details

• 9.00am to 4.30pm for days 1 - 4
• 9.00am to 1.30pm for day 5
• Hepatitis B included
• Meals and course materials provided
• Cost: $660

Upcoming courses

Courses in Melbourne:
August 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th and 29th
November 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th and 28th

Course in Regional Victoria - Horsham:
June 25th – 29th

Contact information

For further information email Jen Johnson on j.johnson@latrobe.edu.au or telephone (03) 9285 5338.

Intended learning outcomes

• A working knowledge of HIV, hepatitis C with particular reference to epidemiology, transmission, management options and prevention
• Detailed knowledge of the method and process of testing for HIV and hepatitis C and other blood borne viruses relevant to target group
• Awareness of sexuality/sexual orientation/practices and injecting drug use in cultural contexts
• Rights and responsibilities of individuals who receive a positive test result
• Detailed knowledge of safe sexual practices, safe injecting and safe skin penetration practices, and other BBV/STI prevention strategies including awareness of hepatitis B vaccine
• How to access resources and services available within the community
• Policies, principles and procedures to secure and maintain confidentiality and the limits of these
• Limits of own scope of practice and procedures for referral
• A working knowledge of the principles of risk assessment
• Principles of effective communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills including questioning and active listening to discuss issues around sexuality and injecting drug use effectively and comfortably
• Self-awareness including:
• • Personal strengths and limitations
  • Capacity to be non-judgmental
  • Impact of own values, language and attitudes on others