HIV Testing and Counseling Training

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offers a number of free HIV-related training courses to work toward Getting to Zero. The HIV Testing and Counseling Training is required for staff at agencies directly supported by the HIV & STD Program. HIV testing is the pathway to HIV treatment. Getting everyone who has HIV on treatment and virally suppressed reduces HIV transmission.

This training is offered quarterly and is required for staff at agencies directly supported by the HIV/STD Elimination, Analysis, Response, and Treatment (HEART) Program.

DHHS offers three separate certifications under the HIV Testing and Counseling Training. Two certifications comprise the two main components of conducting an HIV testing session. One is the HIV Prevention Counseling Certification. The second is running the test, known as Rapid Lab Tech. The third certification is for those who will be managing a rapid test site. Whether you are a one-person operation or managing multiple people, it’s important to know how to be a Rapid Lab Administrator.

Please note certification can only be awarded to Utah residents. Anyone is welcome to take the course for education purposes.

Prevention Counseling Certification involves:

• Identifying a person’s unique risk factors for acquiring HIV
• Providing education and referrals to reduce that risk
• Explaining the testing process and possible results
• Delivering test results

Prevention Counseling Certification requires:

• 2-day training
• Knowledge Assessment
• Shadowing

Rapid Lab Tech involves:

• Overview of rapid HIV technologies
• Demonstration of how to run a rapid lab and rapid HIV tests
• How to interpret rapid results
• Completing paperwork and quality assurance

Rapid Lab Tech Certification requires:

• 2.5 hour training
• Knowledge Assessment
• Skills Assessment

Rapid Lab Administrator involves:

• Managing a rapid test site
• Running controls
• Overseeing quality, ordering, storage, etc
• Required paperwork and reporting

Rapid Lab Administrator Certification requires:

Fee:

The training is free, however, registration is required.

Location, date, and time:

Trainings are offered quarterly, See registration for the latest location, date, and time.  Return to Top

HIV Training Courses

The topics covered in the training include:

• Harm Reduction and People Who Use Drugs: Information in this HIV curriculum includes an overview of harm reduction and syringe exchange. It covers the tenets of harm reduction, supporting evidence, and how participants can get involved with a syringe exchange in the Salt Lake area.
• HIV Related Stigma: Information in this HIV curriculum includes an overview of HIV/AIDS-related stigma/bias. This session focuses on how we are socialized, stigma/bias, different forms and examples of stigma, and strategies to interrupt and prevent further stigma.
• Consent and Sex Positivity: This course provides an overview of the important roles consent and a sex-positive attitude play in HIV/STI prevention. It covers what consent does and does not look like, how clients can be empowered to choose prevention methods to fit their needs, and how a sex-positive attitude helps build client trust and helps to prevent burnout.
• Elements of a Risk Assessment: This session, Elements of Risk Assessment, focuses on the risks that affect three populations most at risk of an HIV infection: MSM, trans and gender diverse people, and those who use injection drugs. It also covers how to gather information for a successful risk assessment using the CDC’s 5 P’s; Partners, Practices, Protection, Past History, and Pregnancy intention.
• Rapid HIV Lab Administration: This HIV curriculum provides information on how rapid HIV technology works and the variety available. It also includes how to perform rapid HIV tests, interpret results, and completion of necessary paperwork. The training also provides educations for those who oversee and manage rapid lab sites, including running controls, ordering supplies, and necessary paperwork.
• Racism and Cultural Humility in HIV: This course covers the history of HIV, HIV-related stigma, and American LGBTQIA+ history. Topics are covered in a broad overarching themeatic way with additonal resources for in-depth learning. This course will start in the 1800’s and progress to present day, and covers responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic from a variety of perspectives.

Training Resources and Continuing Education Modules:

• AIDS Education Training Center (AETC) National HIV Curriculum AETC developed this online tool to educate and provide information about HIV/AIDS. The training includes information about HIV/AIDS. This training includes screening and diagnosis, antiretroviral therapy, HIV prevention, and key populations. This resource is free and provides CME/CEU training credits for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other health care professionals. This training is applicable to persons of all levels of knowledge and background.
• National STD Curriculum The National STD Curriculum is a self-study STD educational course that addresses the epidemiology, pathology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. These courses offer free CME and CNE credits.
• National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center is a multicourse, multitopic resource that provides training courses around PrEP, behavioral health, healthcare for LGBTQIA+ folks, and more. These training resources are free and offer certification certificates for each course upon completion.
• His Health This training helps develop skills to deliver high-quality and affirming care for Black LGBTQIA+ patients. This resource contains six courses to help improve and build skills in areas like PrEP, linkage to care, transgender health, and whole health.
• CDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases Videos, Podcasts, and Webinars The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers videos, podcasts, webinars, and more on sexually transmitted diseases for health care professionals and general audiences.
• CDC STD Awareness Resources for Health Care Providers This link created by the CDC offers resources to help health care providers improve health care to adolescent and LGBTQIA+ patients.

Other Trainings Offered by Utah Department of Health:

• Harm Reduction Training: The Utah Department of Health’s Harm Reduction Navigator Training is a multi-day course that covers information anyone interested in being a harm reduction navigator needs to know. This course is instructor-led and covers a variety of topics such as hepatitis-C basics, overdose prevention, cultural humility, and more. After completion, course participants will receive a two-year certificate of completion. Email Hannah Adams hannahadams@utah.gov for additional information.
• Hepatitis C Rapid Testing and Counseling Training: The Utah Department of Health’s Hepatitis C (HCV) Rapid Testing and Counseling Training is a one-day training that will provide information on how HCV is transmitted and spread, how to administer HCV testing, counseling during and after testing, and necessary referrals. The online training can be accessed by clicking the title link and sending an email to Allison Munns, amunns@utah.gov, to request access to the course. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion.