HIV Prevention Training
HIV Prevention Training Required for DSHS Prevention and Provider Staff
CORE TRAINING – These courses are required for the HIV/STD workforce. You must complete core training within the first year of employment.
HIPAA and State Privacy Training (only for DSHS employees, interns, volunteers, and contractors working on-site at DSHS facilities) – You must take this course within six months of employment. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 is a federal law that protects the privacy of a client's individual identifiable health information. DSHS employees, interns, volunteers, and contractors working on site at DSHS facilities must take this course.
Foundations of Testing and Navigation (FTN) – This training provides new HIV prevention contractors with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct a status-neutral HIV testing session. Participants will learn strategies to mitigate unconscious bias, offer brief counseling on combination prevention, provide test results, and navigate clients through prevention and care continuums.
Hepatitis C (HCV) Training – Providers who offer HCV testing must complete this course within one year of employment.
STD 101: What You Need to Know – Required within one year of employment for those unfamiliar with STDs. Sexually transmitted diseases are very common in the United States, yet many staff new to healthcare do not have a good understanding of the different causes and treatments. This interactive, easy-to-understand course offers an overview of the most common STDs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes, HPV, and HIV.
Recommended Training
Funded Activity Training (ARTAS, CLEAR, etc.) – Strongly recommended staff successful complete a training on the specific intervention (number of days will vary) within one year of employment. There are interventions that do not have training regularly scheduled in Texas for the specific intervention. Contact the Capacity Building Consultant for help. Contact your Prevention Consultant for special considerations (i.e., out-of-state trainings, part-time staff or volunteers, etc.).
Advanced Motivational Interviewing (AMI) – Highly recommended within the first year of employment. Classroom training is preferred. AMI is a counseling method that helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation they need to change their behavior. It is a practical, empathetic, and short-term process that takes into consideration how difficult it is to make life changes.
Resources
DSHS Program Operating Procedures and Standards – Standards for the delivery of consistent quality services regarding HIV, sexually transmitted disease (STD), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) focused testing, counseling, and linkage to medical care. These guidelines follow the HIV National Strategy to reduce HIV transmission, identify persons living with undiagnosed HIV, enhance timely navigation to medical care, and reduce health disparities. These guidelines help HIV prevention specialists, outreach workers, Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS), and others who provide testing for HIV.
Forms and Requirements for Prevention Data Collection and Submission