HIV Testing and Policy

HIV Testing in NYS: 2005 Guidance

This half-day training will provide information regarding the 2005 Department of Health (DOH) guidance on HIV counseling and testing.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

  • List the core elements of the 2005 DOH guidance;
  • Describe streamlined options for preparing clients for testing;
  • Determine when a patient would benefit from face to face pre-test counseling;
  • Be familiar with revised "Informed Consent to Perform HIV Testing" and "Authorization for Release of Medical Information and Confidential HIV Related Information" forms;
  • List the elements of effective post-test counseling with an emphasis on;
    • Strategies for effectively linking HIV positive patients to care;
    • Working in partnership with HIV positive patients to promote notification of sexual and needle sharing partners and;
    • Referring high risk patients who test negative to prevention services.

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in basic HIV/AIDS.

Audience: Experienced and new health or human service providers who offer HIV testing as a part of their job responsibilities. Staff preparing to offer testing in community based organizations may attend this training or "Offering Rapid HIV Testing in CBOs Serving High Risk Communities".

Additional Training: Participants who would like an opportunity to practice the skills associated with offering HIV testing services may choose to attend "HIV Testing: Skills Practice Session".

Date Location Registration Center
January 20 Hawthorne ARCS
January 21 Manhattan Cicatelli
February 10 Rochester CHBT
February 18 Manhattan Cicatelli
February 24 Buffalo ARC
March 2 Syracuse REACH
April 2 Hempstead CPHE
April 15 Newburgh ARCS
April 28 Manhattan Cicatelli
May 27 Manhattan NDRI
June 8 Smithtown CPHE
June 17 Hawthorne ARCS

FREE CME/CNE & OASAS Credits - Contact your local Training Center for more details.

CME: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Medical Society of the State of New York through the joint sponsorship of the School of Public Health, University at Albany, SUNY and the AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health. The School of Public Health is accredited by the MSSNY to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. The School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3.0-4.0 of category one credit towards the AMA/PRA. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

CNE: The University at Albany, School of Public Health is an approved provider of continuing education by the New York State Nurses Association's Council on Continuing Education, which is accredited as an approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurse's Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. It is being presented in joint sponsorship with the AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health. (Contact Hours: 3.0-4.0 hours; Approval Code 5TLL8T-PRV-04-083)

Please Note: As of January 2007, CME/CNE credit hours are the same.

OASAS: The AIDS Institute has been certified as an OASAS Education and Training Provider. This course is also approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services for initial credentialing and renewal of CASAC, CPP, CPS for 4 clock hours.

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HIV Testing: Skills Practice Session

This one-day training will provide participants with an opportunity to practice key skills related to offering HIV testing services.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Assess when a client requires face to face pre-test counseling;
  • Conduct streamlined pre-test counseling;
  • Deliver preliminary positive and confirmed positive HIV test results;
  • Link newly diagnosed HIV positive patients to health care and support services;
  • Work in partnership with HIV positive patients to promote notification of sexual and needle sharing partners, and;
  • Conduct the NYS domestic violence screening protocol.

Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information and attendance at "HIV Testing in NYS: 2005 Guidance " or an equivalent training.

Audience: Any Health or Human Service Provider who offers HIV testing as part of their job responsibilities.

Date Location Registration Center
December 17 Uniondale CPHE
January 21 Hawthorne ARCS
January 22 Manhattan Cicatelli
February 11 Rochester CHBT
February 19 Manhattan Cicatelli
February 25 Buffalo ARC
March 3 Syracuse REACH
April 3 Hempstead CPHE
April 16 Newburgh ARCS
April 29 Manhattan Cicatelli
May 22 Manhattan Cicatelli
May 28 Manhattan NDRI
June 9 Smithtown CPHE
June 18 Hawthorne ARCS

FREE CME/CNE & OASAS Credits

CME: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Medical Society of the State of New York through the joint sponsorship of the School of Public Health, University at Albany, SUNY and the AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health. The School of Public Health is accredited by the MSSNY to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. The School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 6.5 hours of category one credit towards the AMA/PRA. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

CNE: The University at Albany, School of Public Health is an approved provider of continuing education by the New York State Nurses Association's Council on Continuing Education, which is accredited as an approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurse's Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. It is being presented in joint sponsorship with the AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health. (Contact Hours: 6.5 hours; Approval Code 5TLL8T-PRV-04-084)

Please Note: As of January 2007, CME/CNE credit hours are the same.

OASAS: The AIDS Institute has been certified as an OASAS Education and Training Provider. This course is also approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services for initial credentialing and renewal of CASAC, CPP, CPS for 6.5 clock hours.

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Practicing the NYS Domestic Violence Screening Protocol

This half-day training offers new and experienced providers who conduct HIV test counseling with an opportunity to practice the skills needed to effectively implement the NYS Domestic Violence Screening Protocol.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Practice interview questions regarding client's the risk of domestic violence;
  • Provide referrals to domestic violence services; and
  • Conduct safety planning

Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information and attendance at "HIV Testing in NYS: 2005 Guidance " or equivalent training. Attendance at "Basics Information about Domestic Violence" is strongly recommended.

Audience: All Health and Human Service Providers who deliver HIV test counseling.

Date Location Registration Center
March 18 Manhattan Cicatelli

OASAS: The AIDS Institute has been certified as an OASAS Education and Training Provider. This course is also approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services for initial credentialing and renewal of CASAC, CPP, CPS for 3 clock hours.

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Tailoring HIV Counseling & Testing to Unique Needs of Adolescents

This one-day training will prepare participants to tailor HIV testing services to the unique needs of adolescents. It will help build participant skills in meeting the counseling requirements of Article 27-F, including talking with adolescents about HIV reporting, conducting domestic violence screening, and assisting with partner notification.

Topics to be covered include:

  • Legal rights of adolescents when seeking HIV testing and treatment;
  • Overview of the DOH guidelines titled "HIV & Adolescents: Counseling and Testing, Linkage to Care and Partner Notification;"
  • Understanding adolescent development, including opportunities for values clarification.

Prerequisite: Prior experience in conducting HIV Counseling and Testing or "HIV Testing in NYS: 2005 Guidance " or equivalent training.

Audience: All health and human service providers already conducting HIV counseling and testing, especially those who work with youth.

*For more information: Check out ACT for Youth

Date Location Registration Center
April 24 Manhattan Cicatelli

OASAS: The AIDS Institute has been certified as an OASAS Education and Training Provider. This course is also approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services for initial credentialing and renewal of CASAC, CPP, CPS for 6.5 clock hours.

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Offering Rapid HIV Testing in CBOs Serving High Risk Communities

This three day training will provide staff in community based organizations (CBOs) without prior experience offering any form of HIV testing with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement rapid HIV testing in accordance with New York State laws and regulations. This training is particularly intended for staff working in CBOs designated (or seeking designation) as a Limited Test Site for Rapid HIV Testing.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

  • State the benefits and barriers to implementing rapid testing in various settings most accessible to high risk communities;
  • Summarize the process for both rapid and standard tests;
  • Define their responsibilities as a Limited Test Site performing rapid HIV testing;
  • List the requirements of a quality assurance plan for rapid HIV testing;
  • Outline the process of confirmatory testing of all preliminary positive test results;
  • State the requirements of the NYS confidentiality laws as it pertains to HIV counseling informed consent; confidentiality, HIV reporting and documentation;
  • Demonstrate the NYS protocol for domestic violence screening and partner notification assistance; and
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform all aspects of HIV counseling.

Prerequisite: It is strongly suggested that participants have previous knowledge or training on basic HIV/AIDS medical information.

Audience: Staff without prior experience offering HIV testing who work at CBOs particularly designated (or seeking designation) as a Limited Test Site for rapid testing. Appropriate for staff who supervise or deliver HIV rapid testing in a community setting.

Additional Information: In addition to this training, staff who conduct rapid HIV testing should also receive instruction about how to perform the test in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. Check with your supervisor or lab director about how this is being handled at your site.

*Future Dates will be listed in the July - December 2009 calendar*

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Reducing Perinatal HIV Transmission in the Prenatal, Maternity and Newborn Settings

This half-day training will provide information about reducing perinatal HIV transmission.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Recall the latest research that shows how expanded;
  • Advances in preventing perinatal transmission of HIV;
  • Advances in the care and treatment of HIV infection during pregnancy;
  • Importance of HIV counseling and testing during prenatal care;
  • Strategies for streamlining pre & post test counseling;
  • State regulations pertaining to HIV counseling and testing in the maternity setting;
  • Requirements of expedited testing;
  • NYS Newborn Screening Program; and
  • Definitive diagnosis of HIV infection and advances in care for infants.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants attend previous HIV/AIDS trainings.

Audience: Health & Human Service Providers who offer HIV counseling and testing services in the prenatal, labor and delivery maternity, newborn and pediatric setting.

*Future Dates will be listed in the July - December 2009 calendar*

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HIV Counseling & Testing for Occupational Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

This one-day training will provide information on New York State guidelines for occupational exposure to HIV including counseling, testing, and post-exposure prophylactic treatment.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the core elements of NYS Department of Health 2005 guidance on HIV counseling and testing and NYS guidelines for occupational exposure
  • Describe streamlined options for preparing a client for HIV testing, including offering rapid testing
  • Identify situations when clients may benefit from in-depth pre-test counseling
  • List aspects of effective post-test counseling
  • Review risk of transmission for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C in occupational exposure
  • Summarize steps needed to evaluate the source patient
  • State risks and benefits of PEP
  • List elements of follow-up care
  • Identify necessary documentation
  • List elements needed to provide comprehensive counseling after an occupational exposure

Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS medical information

Audience: Nurses and other healthcare professionals that provide pre and post test counseling for occupational exposure.

*Future Dates will be listed in the July - December 2009 calendar*

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