Course outline: HIV Counselling and Testing (HTS)

Overview: Education on HIV counselling and Testing.

• The course aims to equip people who will function as HIV counsellors with knowledge and skills of counselling and testing, and being able to provide testing and give correct results to clients.
• The course also equips lay-counsellors with skills to provide general counselling to people who are experiencing different kinds of problems in their lives.

Entry requirements

• Completed application form
• Submit a Certified copy of Identification (not older than 3 months)
• Payment of course fee
• Minimum of grade 11
• Ability to read and write

Who should attend?

• All health care professionals, including clinical and administrative staff members.
• Any members of the public wanting to gain more understanding on HIV counselling and testing.
• All HIV Lay Counsellors and Health Care Professionals who conduct HIV testing and counselling.

Course duration 

• 5 days in class (with a practical element on the last day)

Course content 

• Background of HTS
• The 5Cs
• Introduction to Pre and Post-test counselling
• STIs and TB
• Priority populations:
• 90.90.90/95.95.95 strategy
• What is counselling: aims of counselling
• Attitudes of a good counsellor
• Principles of counselling
• Techniques of counselling
• Effective communication
• Different types of HIV tests
• Who can conduct HIV testing
• The HIV counselling process
• Benefits of knowing one’s status
• Recommended testing algorithm
• Core ethical/legal principles
• Confidentiality, shared confidentiality, non-discrimination, record keeping, dual role relationships, infection control, informed consent
  HIV counselling and testing in children
• Assessment of best interests of the child
• Counselling children under the age of 12
• Qualities and competencies of a child counselor
• Child-friendly spaces
• Assessing risk of HIV and risk reduction
  Identifying clients at risk
• Risk reduction: condom demonstration
• Crisis counselling
• Skills and techniques of counselling in crisis.
• Referrals and which clients to refer
• Promotion of well-being
• Self-awareness
• Spirituality and well-ness
• Integration of HIV Rapid Testing in HIV Prevention and Treatment Programs
• Overview of HIV Testing Technologies
• HIV Testing Strategies and Algorithms
• Quality Control
• Professional Ethics
• Assuring the Quality of HIV Rapid Testing: Proficiency testing, record keeping.
• Safety At the HIV Rapid Testing Site
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• SPI-RIT Checklist
• Use and Care of Equipment
• Preparation for Testing – Supplies and Kits
• Blood Collection – Finger Prick
• Performing HIV Rapid Tests (Practicals)

Instructional method

• Facilitation to be conducted by a qualified and experienced trainer

Certification

• Certificates of attendance will be issued to learners who attended on the scheduled days of the course
• Only learners whose course fees have been paid in full will be considered for certification.

Cost:

• Cost per delegate R1500.00