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 in-depth 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; and
  • 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
July 30 Brooklyn ACRIA
August 19 Rochester CHBT
August 19 Hawthorne ARCS
September 9 Albany PDP SUNY Albany
September 23 Manhattan Cicatelli
September 30 Manhattan NDRI
October 5 Greenlawn CPHE
October 22 Johnson City STAP
October 28 Manhattan Cicatelli
December 14 Lindenhurst CPHE

CNE: The School of Public Health, University of Albany, is an approved provider of continuing education by the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurse's Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. This program is being presented in joint sponsorship with the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute. (Contact Hours: 4.0 hours; Approval Code 6VKSFE-PRV-06-078)

OASAS: The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute is an OASAS Certified Education and Training Provider. This course is approved for initial credentialing and renewal of CASAC, CPP and CPS for 4.0 clock hours.*

*Course are not approved for initial credentialing for CPS.

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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
July 31 Brooklyn ACRIA
August 20 Rochester CHBT
August 20 Hawthorne ARCS
September 10 Albany PDP SUNY Albany
September 24 Manhattan Cicatelli
October 1 Manhattan NDRI
October 6 Greenlawn CPHE
October 23 Johnson City STAP
December 15 Lindenhurst CPHE

CNE: The School of Public Health, University of Albany, is an approved provider of continuing education by the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurse's Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. This program is being presented in joint sponsorship with the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute. (Contact Hours: 6.5 hours; Approval Code 6VKSFE-PRV-06-079)

OASAS: The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute is an OASAS Certified Education and Training Provider. This course is approved for initial credentialing and renewal of CASAC, CPP and CPS for 6.5 clock hours.*

*Course are not approved for initial credentialing for CPS.

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HIV Testing & Confidentiality: Cutting Edge Issues and Client Advocacy

This three-hour training will cover cutting edge issues in the law of HIV confidentiality and testing, as well as how to advocate for clients whose HIV confidentiality and testing rights are violated.

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

  • Describe the basic requirements of New York State's HIV testing and confidentiality law (Public Health Law Article 27-F) and HIPAA;
  • List when and how confidential HIV-related information can be disclosed and who gets to decide;
  • Inform clients about any changes in the HIV testing and consent for HIV tests;
  • State when and how public health authorities contact patients living with HIV and their providers regarding care and treatment;
  • Describe the 2005 and any new DOH guidelines on streamlined HIV testing and pre-test counseling;
  • Advocate for clients whose confidentiality has been breached by other agencies; and
  • Respond to clients' complaints that their agency breached confidentiality.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have basic awareness of Article 27-F.

Audience: All health and human service providers and legal advocates, especially those conducting or referring clients for HIV testing.

Date Location Registration Center
November 11 Manhattan LAC

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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 advances in preventing perinatal transmission of HIV and advances in the care and treatment of HIV infection during pregnancy;
  • Demonstrate the importance of HIV counseling and testing during prenatal care;
  • List the strategies for streamlining pre & post test counseling;
  • State regulations pertaining to HIV counseling and testing in the maternity setting;
  • Describe the requirements of expedited testing;
  • Define the NYS Newborn Screening Program; and
  • Explain definitive diagnosis of HIV infection and advances in care for infants.

Prerequisite: Prior experience in conducting HIV counseling and testing or attendance at "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 pregnant women.

Date Location Registration Center
December 7 Buffalo ARC

OASAS: The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute is an OASAS Certified Education and Training Provider. This course is approved for initial credentialing and renewal of CASAC, CPP and CPS for 3.0 clock hours.*

*Course are not approved for initial credentialing for CPS.

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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 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 "Basic Information about Domestic Violence" is strongly recommended.

Audience: All health and human service providers who deliver HIV test counseling.

Date Location Registration Center
August 26 Hawthorne ARCS

OASAS: The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute is an OASAS Certified Education and Training Provider. This course is approved for initial credentialing and renewal of CASAC, CPP and CPS for 3.0 clock hours.*

*Course are not approved for initial credentialing for CPS.

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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;" and
  • 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
July 21 Hawthorne ARCS

OASAS: The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute is an OASAS Certified Education and Training Provider. This course is approved for initial credentialing and renewal of CASAC, CPP and CPS for 6.5 clock hours.*

*Course are not approved for initial credentialing for CPS.

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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 January - June 2010 calendar

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