This course is for all nurses and doctors working in Western Cape health facilities to equip them to provide HIV Testing Services, in accordance with the 3-test testing strategy.



About the course

  • Course Design: Self-directed

  • Duration: It will take you 2 hours to complete.

  • Eligibility for this course: All nurses and doctors working in Western Cape Government facilities.

  • Accreditation: WCDHW Nursing CPD accredited for 1 CPD in Area of Practice, and HPCSA 2 Clinical CPD points.

  • Certification: Participants need 70% pass mark for final quiz.

  • Published: March 2026

Course outline

The following topics are covered in this course:

1. Introduction to HIV testing services

  • Importance of HIV testing services
  • Make every contact count
  • When and who to test for HIV
  • Professional ethics in HIV testing


2. HIV rapid tests

  • How do HIV rapid tests work
  • Types of HIV rapid tests
  • HIV self-screening tests (oral and blood tests)


3. Preparing for HIV testing

  • P Preparing the testing space
  • Exposure to infectious fluid
  • Record-keeping in HTS


4. HIV testing procedure

  • HIV pre-test advice
  • HTS consent and testing record
  • HIV rapid test procedure step-by-step


5. HIV diagnosis

  • What How to read the HIV rapid test result
  • HIV diagnosis algorithm
    • Non-reactive results
    • Reactive results
    • Discrepant results
    • Invalid results
  • Support and linkage to care



Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness
People Development Centre

Acknowledgements:

  • Knowledge Translation Unit