Provide Needle & Syringe Services (Refresher)COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to the course, Provide Needle & Syringe Services. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective needle and syringe services, ensuring the safety and well being of clients, yourself, and the broader community. We begin by exploring the legal and ethical considerations in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) work. Understanding these considerations is crucial for ensuring that

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the course, Provide Needle & Syringe Services. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective needle and syringe services, ensuring the safety and well-being of clients, yourself, and the broader community.

We begin by exploring the legal and ethical considerations in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) work. Understanding these considerations is crucial for ensuring that services are delivered in accordance with organisational policies and legislative requirements. This section will cover how these considerations are applied in both organisational and individual practice.

Next, we will review the World Health Organisation’s Standard Precautions for health care, which provide essential guidelines for preventing the transmission of infections in healthcare settings. Adhering to these precautions is fundamental to maintaining a safe environment for both clients and service providers.

The public health benefits of needle and syringe programs are significant. We will discuss how these programs help reduce the spread of infectious diseases, promote safer drug use practices, and provide access to support services for individuals who inject drugs.

Understanding the features and safe use of injecting equipment is vital for effective service provision. This section will cover the different types of injecting equipment, their safe use, and proper disposal to prevent needle stick injuries and other hazards.

Procedures for managing needle stick injuries will be outlined, including immediate actions to take and follow-up care. Additionally, we will discuss self-care procedures to ensure that you, as a service provider, remain safe and healthy while performing your duties.

Risks associated with injected drugs will be explored, highlighting the potential health complications and the importance of harm reduction strategies. Current information on AOD issues will be provided to keep you informed about the latest trends and challenges in the field.

Available support services and resources will be discussed, enabling you to guide clients to additional support as needed. This includes referral to treatment programs, counselling services, and other community resources.

Following organisational procedures to identify the scope of client needs is essential for providing tailored services. This section will cover how to maintain client confidentiality in line with organisational and legislative guidelines, assess and respond to safety risks, and identify and respond to emergency assistance needs.

Infection control procedures are critical to prevent the spread of diseases. We will cover the organisation's specific procedures for infection control, including the proper handling and disposal of injecting equipment.

Organising and providing equipment based on client needs is a key aspect of needle and syringe services. This section will discuss how to monitor clients according to organisational procedures, accurately document services provided, and ensure clients receive the appropriate equipment.

Providing information on safe needle and syringe handling and drug use is an important part of the service. We will cover how to discuss risks and harm minimisation strategies with clients, and provide them with relevant and current information on AOD and related issues.

Assisting clients to contact and use other support services as required is crucial for comprehensive care. This includes referrals to health services, social support, and other community resources.

Finally, you will learn to provide clean needle and syringe services and education on safer drug use to at least two clients. This includes information on safer injecting practices, vein care, viral hepatitis, other blood-borne virus transmission risks, testing, treatment, and support information services.

By the end of this course, you will be well-equipped to provide needle and syringe services that promote public health, reduce harm, and support individuals in managing their health and well-being effectively.

This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency CHCAOD003.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

Section A: Knowledge

·       Legal and ethical considerations in AOD work, and how they are applied in organisations and individual practice

·       World Health Organisation’s Standard precautions for health care

·       Public health benefits of needle and syringe programs

·       Features and safe use of injecting equipment

·       Needle stick injury procedures

·       Self-care procedures

·       Risks associated with injected drugs

·       Current information on AOD issues

·       Available support services and resources

Section B: Performance Tasks

·       Follow organisation procedures to identify scope of client needs

·       Maintain client confidentiality in line with organisation and legislative guidelines

·       Assess and respond to any risks to the safety of client, self and others

·       Identify and respond to the need for emergency assistance as required

·       Follow organisation infection control procedures

·       Organise and provide equipment based on client needs and organisation procedures

·       Monitor client according organisation procedures

·       Accurately document details of clean needle and syringe services provided

·       Provide information on safe needle and syringe handling and drug use to users of the service

·       Provide clients with relevant and current information on alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and related issues and discuss the issues with them

·       Discuss risks and relevant harm minimisation strategies for alcohol and/or other drug use with clients

·       Assist clients to contact and use other support services as required

·       Provide clean needle and syringe services and education on safer drug use to at least 2 clients, including information on:

o   safer injecting

o   vein care

o   viral hepatitis

o   other blood borne virus transmission risks

o   testing

o   treatment and support information services

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.