Training Unit Course Descriptions & Objectives

This virtual, self-paced course is offered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This course is designed to offer rural primary care providers the rationale and tools to conduct a patient sexual and/or substance-use history in the context of routine visits and address the unique challenges and approaches to implementing this practice in rural primary care settings. Course topics include the rationale for conducting a sexual and substance-use history; identifying and addressing current provider barriers to conducting a sexual and substance-use history; describing best practices to support conducting a sexual and substance-use history; and demonstrating how to conduct the sexual and substance-use history in a culturally sensitive and dynamic manner.

Course objectives:

Examine the rationale for conducting a sexual and substance-use history.
Identify and address current provider barriers to conducting a sexual and substance-use history.
Describe best practices to support conducting a sexual and substance-use history.
Demonstrate how to conduct the sexual and substance-use history in a culturally sensitive and dynamic manner.

Case Management Collaborative Series

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1132589, On-demand, 2 hours, Last updated September 2025)

This Blended Learning Series (BLS) consists of recordings of live virtual sessions of past Case Management Collaborative training. The first recordings are from the Case Management Collaborative trainings held in 2025. The purpose of the Case Management Collaborative is to provide Ryan White Case Managers with focused micro learning. Topics currently in the learning series: Administering, Scoring, and Interpreting the CDPHE Acuity Tool for Developing SMARTS Service Plans, and Discussing Finances and Budgeting with Clients. More micro learnings, covering a variety of topics of interest to case managers, will be added to the Blended Learning Series after subsequent meetings of the Case Management Collaborative.

Administering, Scoring, and Interpreting the CDPHE Acuity Tool for Developing SMARTS Service Plans course objectives:

Practice the completion, scoring, and interpretation of the CDPHE Acuity Tool.
Practice prioritizing client needs as identified by the CDPHE Acuity Tool.
Practice identifying and writing SMARTS goals for the service plan.

Discussing Finances and Budgeting with Clients course objectives:

Describe the skills needed to have conversations with clients about finances.
Identify resources and referrals outside of RW funds to effectively and creatively meet client needs.
Observe and critique the skills needed to effectively communicate funding limitations and collaboratively develop budgets with clients.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Basics

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1123834, On-demand, 45 minutes, Last updated December 2024)

This course was designed to provide a basic overview of chlamydia and gonorrhea for non-clinical providers in Colorado working in sexually transmitted infection (STI), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and viral hepatitis prevention, testing, treatment, and care. The course is self-paced and can be completed over multiple sittings.

Course objectives:

Recognize epidemiology and priority populations in Colorado for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Describe transmission routes and course of infection for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Practice talking points for prevention, testing, screening, treatment, and care for chlamydia and gonorrhea with clients.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Sample Collection for CDPHE Contractors

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1129112, On-demand, 30 minutes, Last updated May 2025)

This self-paced course is designed to support Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) contractors in guiding clients to self-collect urine, pharyngeal, rectal, and vaginal samples for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The course also covers guidelines for properly handling samples.

Course objectives:

Describe talking points for self-collection of urine, pharyngeal, rectal, and vaginal samples for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Recall guidelines for proper handling of chlamydia and gonorrhea samples.

Critical Events Part 1: Introduction & Overview to the Critical Events Program

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1124384, On-demand, 75 minutes, Last updated December 2024)

The Introduction to the CDPHE Office of STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis Critical Events (CE) Program module provides an overview of the CE Program. The overview will cover a brief history of the program, describe what services can and cannot be provided through the program, and outline program eligibility criteria and expectations. Beyond the minimal program eligibility and expectations, this course will explore for whom CE would be an appropriate resource. Using a job aid flowchart, a client will be followed from eligibility assessment through nomination, acceptance, time in the CE Program, and program discharge.

Course objectives:

Describe the services and expectations of the Critical Events (CE) Program.
Assess if a client meets the CE eligibility criteria and would be an appropriate nomination for the CE Program.
List the required steps and forms for the CE Program from nomination to discharge.

Effective Referrals for STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis Clients

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1123682, On-demand, 1 hour, Last updated September 2024)

This course was designed to support non-clinical sexually transmitted infection (STI), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and viral hepatitis (VH) providers in making effective referrals for clients. Topics include introduction to referral, how to prepare for making referrals, the qualities of effective referrals, and how to make and follow-up on referrals. The course is self-paced and can be completed over multiple sittings.

Course objectives:

Explain the role of referrals and linkage to care in STI/HIV/VH services.
List common types of referral needs for STI/HIV/VH clients.
Identify strategies for building relationships with referral resources.
Practice steps for making effective referrals.

Foundational Communication Skills for STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis Services

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1102515 - Virtual /Course ID 1111284 - In-person, Live, 7 hours, Last updated January 2023)

The goal of this course is to increase communication and problem-solving skills for STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis providers to more effectively work with clients toward better sexual health outcomes.

The course will establish the importance of communication, its components, and strategies for effective communication. Participants will also enhance their familiarity with sexual terminology and appropriate use of assertiveness, confrontation, and problem-solving skills. Participants will have opportunities to practice effective communication skills throughout the course.

Course objectives:

Identify two reasons why effective communication with clients is critical for STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis services.
Define “communication” and its 3 components.
Demonstrate key skills for effective communication.
Assess their personal comfort using sexual terms.
Demonstrate effective use of assertive responses.
Identify the 4 forms of confrontation.
Demonstrate effective problem-solving by using the LOVER Method.

Foundations of Case Management

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1099344, Live, 7 hours, Last updated March 2023)

This course examines the role of Case Management in STI, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis Care and Prevention and explains its seven-step framework. Case Management for Ryan White Services, PrEP Retention, and People who Use Drugs (PWUD) are indicated interventions. They are intended to support a client’s decision to access care and develop goals to maintain their health through an assessment of needs, development of a plan (including adherence and risk reduction plans), monitoring progress towards meeting needs, coordination of care, and appropriately transitioning clients off Case Management Services if indicated. When warranted, Case Management Services links clients to significant additional resources. The course explores these topics and allows for practice and application of key principles.

Course objectives:

Describe the role of a case manager.
Describe the 7 steps of Case Management.
Demonstrate the development of a treatment plan using an assessment tool and adherence form.
Describe the 4 levels of Ryan White Case Management.
Describe SMARTS goals.
Demonstrate the development of a SMARTS goal.
Identify the standards and criteria for Care Coordination, Follow Up, and Referrals.
List key points, barriers, and next steps for a Case Closure initiated by a retention worker.
Describe the key differences between Ryan White Case Management, PrEP Retention, and PWUD Case Management.

Harm Reduction & De-escalation Training Series Recordings

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1121121, On-demand, 3.5 hours, Last updated June 2024)

The Harm Reduction & De-escalation Training Series was coordinated in May-June 2024 by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Office of STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health's getSFcba program.

Presenter: Maurice Byrd, LMFT of the Harm Reduction Therapy Center

Session 1: The Spirit of Harm Reduction

Harm reduction has its origins in grassroots social justice and mutual aid. The Spirit of Harm Reduction examines the history and state of the four-part U.S. harm reduction movement and its impact on the creation and current use of Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT). This training explores belief systems, countertransference, and basic assessment models for working with people who use substances.

A high number of people who use or abuse substances or have a substance use disorder also deal with mental health symptoms or have mental health diagnoses. It has become more essential for clinicians and counselors to become adept at working with people who use substances and or have a dual diagnosis. Harm Reduction Therapy helps to equip providers with the tools to work with people who use substances, people who have mental health symptoms, and those who have a comorbid occurrence of these two.

Course objectives:

Recognize at least one reason how stigmatizing language contributes negatively to clinician countertransference.
Identify at least two parts of the four parts of the U.S. harm reduction movement.
Indicate at least two levels of substance use on the continuum of drugs.
Utilize the harm reduction perspective to identify at least two reasons why people use substances.

Session 2: Harm Reduction De-escalation and Negotiation

Harm Reduction offers a unique approach to working with de-escalation. De-escalation starts with knowing our own response to an escalated situation, how other people you work with respond, and the people you work with. This training will focus on developing effective techniques for approaching escalated situations before they happen, while they are happening, and how we care for each other after the situation has resolved. Individual, group, and team-building prevention strategies are also discussed.

Course objectives:

Recognize the difference between fight, flight, and freeze.
Identify at least one natural response they have in an escalated situation.
Indicate at least two levels of trauma.
Utilize at least one body position that is helpful in an escalated situation.

Identifying and Screening for Mental Health and Substance Use Issues

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1097406 - Virtual / Course ID 1111258 - In-Person, Live, 7 hours, Last updated December 2023)

The 2014 Recommendations for HIV Prevention with Adults and Adolescents with HIV in the United States strongly emphasize that mental health and substance use issues can significantly interfere with linkage to care and adherence to treatment and add to HIV transmission behaviors. The 2014 PrEP Clinical Practice Guidelines also list addressing impediments such as mental health and substance use as one of the six approaches to support PrEP adherence. This course assists non-clinical STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis prevention and care and treatment service providers to identify, screen, and refer clients needing mental health/substance use services. Participants will learn to recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health/substance use issues, to use a validated pre-screening tool for mental health symptoms and substance use, and to determine when to screen and refer their clients.

Course objectives:

Differentiate between clinical language and person first language for discussing mental health and substance use.
Demonstrate appropriate person first language to use with clients when discussing mental health and substance use.
Describe how mental health conditions and substance use affect risk-taking, STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis prevention strategies, care and treatment, and adherence to biomedical interventions.
Recognize some of the signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions, including substance use disorders and sexual compulsive behavior.
Determine when to use a substance use and mental health pre-screener based on behavioral indicators and funding requirements.
Practice the use and scoring of an evidence-based substance use and mental health pre-screener.
Identify next steps after the pre-screener is complete, including use of the ASSIST screening tool and making appropriate referrals.

Introduction to a Trauma-Informed Approach

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1090874 - Virtual / Course ID 1085472 - In-person, Live, 7 hours, Last updated January 2024)

This course will introduce trauma and trauma-informed approaches, with specific information about how to improve care and support for people living with and at risk for HIV, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis. The course will introduce participants to the 6 principles of Trauma-Informed Care, the 4 C’s for healing, and explore the intersectionality of lived experiences and structural forms of trauma. Participants will learn how trauma impacts individuals in childhood, how resilience influences outcomes, and how trauma impacts the body and the brain. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on how trauma impacts their clients individually and as a community. This course forms the basis for more advanced work in developing trauma-informed environments and practices.

Course objectives:

Define trauma and the trauma-informed approach.
Recognize signs of trauma.
Describe the impact of trauma on the body and brain.
Identify the impacts of trauma on people living with and at increased risk for STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis.
Describe the principles of a trauma-informed approach.
List the components which promote healing in relationships.
Describe screening for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).
List 3 appropriate responses when screening for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).

Life of a Sample: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and HIV Testing

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1130105, On-demand, 30 minutes, Last updated June 2025)

This course is intended for CDPHE Office of STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis contractors providing chlamydia/gonorrhea, syphilis, and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in non-clinical settings. The course will cover guidelines for collecting and submitting sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV samples to the Colorado State Public Health Laboratory (CSPHL). The course is self-paced and can be completed over multiple sittings.

Course objectives:

Recall Colorado State Public Health Laboratory (CSPHL) processes and protocols for STI and HIV testing.
Recall guidelines for proper handling, storage, and transport of STI and HIV samples.

Meaningful Engagement with Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1122537 - Virtual / Course ID 1088614 - In-person, Live, 7 hours, Last updated January 2024)

This course seeks to raise the skill of STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis service providers to effectively conduct prevention and treatment activities with gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM). This course will provide information on the nature of gender identity, sexual orientation, and culture that will first seek to create an awareness of the complex issues surrounding MSM behavior. This course will assist service providers in conceptualizing MSM behavior in light of dominant norms in U.S. society. It will allow providers to use this knowledge to construct programming and communication strategies to work with MSM that are both respectful and effective.

Course objectives:

Explain how the social construction of gender and other aspects of culture impact men who have sex with men (MSM).
Recognize how stigma and public health approaches may create barriers to STI/HIV/VH outcomes for MSM.
Identify and discuss cultural norms and practices one may find where MSM form community, including online/dating apps.
Identify specific strategies to effectively engage with MSM
Practice engaging clients across the prevention and treatment cascade using affirming language, addressing unique risk factors, and uplifting protective factors impacting MSM.

Meaningful Engagement with People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) - Blended Training

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1107328, Blended, 7.14 hours, Last updated December 2023)

The blended learning series for Meaningful Engagement with People Who Use Drugs consists of an on-demand prerequisite and an instructor-led, live course. The on-demand presentation must be completed before the live course. Part 1, the on-demand presentation, will introduce you to commonly used terminology, a national and local overview of Hepatitis C and HIV, the connection between substance use and disease burden, common health conditions associated with substance use/injection drug use, and public health implications. The instructor-led, live course focuses on knowledge and practice to increase skills to work effectively and meaningfully with people who use drugs.

Part 2, the instructor-led course, provides the foundation for harm reduction and case management in accordance with the Colorado Standards of HIV Prevention. The course provides a review of the basics of drug use and then, within that context, outlines the definition, principles, and levels of harm reduction. Participants will discuss how to engage with people who use drugs in more meaningful ways by building an understanding of stigma, exploring strategies, using a strengths-based approach, respecting autonomy, focusing on critical communication, and implementing rapport-building skills. The course concludes with an introduction to case management standards in Colorado and the use of effective referrals.

Course objectives:

Define stigma in the context of Person/People Who Use Drugs (PWUD).
Identify 3 factors that contribute to stigma for PWUD.
Identify inclusive and sensitive language when working with PWUD.
Explore why people use drugs and examine the dopamine hypothesis.
Define harm reduction in context of PWUD, including potential harms of using drugs.
Describe key principles of harm reduction.
Identify strategies and levels of effective harm reduction.
Describe strategies to address stigma and cultural sensitivity in the context of harm reduction and service provision with PWUD.
Identify 3 strategies to improve engagement with PWUD.
Describe the process of providing appropriate referrals for PWUD.

Motivational Interviewing for STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis Services

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1095320 - Virtual / Course ID 1083807 - In-person, Live, 7 hours, Last updated February 2024)

Motivational interviewing 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. The Motivational Interviewing (MI) course covers the features of the MI approach to counseling, describes the MI view of the Behavior Change process, and lists the core tasks, principle skills, and spirit of MI. This course aims to build skills to improve client engagement in any prevention efforts including increased uptake and retention to PrEP Services; linkage to care and treatment; adherence; and risk reduction counseling. Participants will have the opportunity to practice with the tools of MI in various service provision scenarios, which can be tailored to their specific context.

Course objectives:

Define Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Describe the relationship between the Stages of Change and the use of MI.
Describe the spirit of MI.
Identify the tasks of MI.
Define the principle skills and tools of MI.
Practice using the different tools/skills of MI.
Demonstrate the use of tools/skills of MI in role-playing of different provider scenarios.

Mpox Basics

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1107458, On-demand, 1 hour, Last updated June 2023 with new information about transmission, vaccination, and treatment)

This self-paced, virtual course provides a basic overview of mpox. The course is intended to support Disease Intervention Specialists in the Office of STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in conducting mpox case investigation and contact tracing, but may be useful to other public health professionals.

Course objectives:

Describe what mpox is.
Describe recent mpox outbreaks globally, nationally, and in Colorado.
Identify who is at risk for acquiring mpox.
List the ways mpox can be transmitted.
Describe the course of mpox infection.
Name the signs and symptoms of mpox.
Describe mpox prevention strategies.
Recall basic information about mpox vaccination.
Recall basic information about mpox testing.
Describe recommendations for someone who was exposed to mpox.
Describe recommendations for someone who has mpox.
Recall basic information about mpox treatment.
Identify additional resources for mpox information.

Prevention Toolbox: PrEP and Beyond

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1096466-Virtual / Course ID 1088417-In-person, Live, 7 hours, Last updated February 2023)

This course supports participants with their implementation of prevention services in Colorado. Participants will familiarize themselves with and explore concepts around basic knowledge of PrEP, Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U), PEP, and treatment as prevention (TaSP). They will explore the role of biomedical and behavioral interventions in STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis prevention, indications for various biomedical interventions, and the Standards for HIV/STI/VH Prevention and Harm Reduction Services. Finally, the course provides an education tool encompassing the recommended components of PrEP Education Services.

Course objectives:

Describe the role of biomedical (U=U, TasP, PrEP, PEP) and behavioral interventions in STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis prevention services.
Demonstrate the ability to discuss the pros and cons of biomedical and behavioral risk reduction options.
Explain the status neutral approach.
Recall basic information about HIV PrEP and PEP.
Identify indications for PrEP and PEP.
Identify personal values regarding biomedical interventions.
Describe the categories of PrEP services in Colorado.
Identify the recommended components for PrEP Education.
Demonstrate the use of the CRAFTS Education tool for HIV PrEP.
List the “next steps” and “key considerations” for clients who decide to pursue biomedical or behavioral interventions.

Public Health Intervention Program (PHIP) Bootcamp Recordings

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1116598, On-demand, 7 hours total, Last updated November 2023)

The PHIP Bootcamp was hosted in November 2023 by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Office of STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis to increase PHIP and PrEP access knowledge and skills of Colorado PrEP navigators and other providers who help clients access HIV PrEP. This series includes recordings of live virtual sessions on PHIP, other PrEP patient assistance programs, and health insurance. Access the 2023 PHIP Bootcamp Recordings Description document for course titles, descriptions, and objectives.

Rapid HIV/HCV Testing Training Series

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1099346, Blended, 8.5 hours total, Last updated December 2023)

This training series is required for CDPHE contractors providing non-clinical HIV and/or HCV rapid testing. It includes the following 5 parts. Learn more about the series and how to register for each part.

Part 1: Rapid Testing Skills Videos (on-demand, 1 hour)

View 5 video presentations and pass the post-assessment after viewing each presentation.

Course Objectives:

Quality Assurance

Describe process control steps to use before, during, and after testing.
Identify three testing materials to label before testing.
Identify seven situations in which to run external controls.
Differentiate between the five process control logs.

Setting Up the Testing Area

Describe the characteristics of an appropriate testing area.
List the materials needed for testing.
Practice identifying test kit temperature ranges and expiration dates.

Safe Work Practices

Identify five types of universal precautions to take when testing.
Match different testing materials to the appropriate waste disposal containers.
Identify three steps for managing exposures to blood and other body fluids.

Sample Collection

Describe the correct procedures for collecting fingerstick blood and oral fluid samples.
Identify steps to prevent and handle fainting during sample collection.

Interpreting Results

Interpret the results of rapid tests as non-reactive, reactive, or invalid.

Part 2: Test Technology Videos (on-demand, time varies depending on the test technology)

Review the manufacturer's video and documentation for every test technology you use at your agency. Videos include:

OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test
Alere Determine HIV-1/2 Antigen/Antibody Combo
ChemBio SURE CHECK HIV 1/2 Assay
OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test
INSTI HIV-1 / HIV-2 Antibody Test
ChemBio DPP HIV-Syphilis Assay

Part 3: Rapid Testing Skills Demonstration (live, 1 hour virtual or 4 hours in-person)

The Rapid Testing Skills Demonstration is a live session where a participant will demonstrate correctly setting up a test area and labeling test devices, running external controls, collecting samples, running tests, and following biohazard precautions.

Participants must have the following materials to complete the Rapid Testing Skills Demonstration:

Computer/laptop with working webcam, microphone, and speaker
All supplies and paperwork needed to set up a test area and label test devices, run external controls, collect samples, run tests, and follow biohazard precautions

You must have at least two test kits for every test technology you will be demonstrating
Using expired supplies is acceptable for the Rapid Testing Skills Demonstration as it is practice

A partner on whom you will perform sample collection, or you can perform sample collection on yourself
Review a sample checklist for more information on supplies needed and what you will be asked to demonstrate

Course objectives for Parts 2 and 3:

Conduct specimen collection and run rapid HIV and/or HCV tests.
Demonstrate required quality assurance steps before, during, and after testing.

Part 4: Reduced Counseling and Referral Videos (on-demand; 30 minutes)

View 2 video presentations and pass the post-assessment after viewing each presentation.

Course Objectives:

Qualities and Principles of Rapid Testing

Identify the qualities of rapid tests.
Differentiate among the guiding principles for providing rapid testing.

6-step Protocol

Describe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 6-step reduced counseling approach for rapid testing.

Part 5: Reduced Counseling and Referral (live; 4 hours)

This course supports the implementation of rapid HIV and HCV testing services in non-clinical settings. During the course, participants will review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 6-step reduced counseling approach, considerations for hepatitis C (HCV) testing, and Colorado and CDPHE-specific guidance and requirements. Participants will also have several practice opportunities to gain skills for conducting status neutral testing sessions for both non-reactive and reactive results.

Course objectives:

List requirements for CDPHE contractors performing rapid HIV and/or HCV testing.
Describe the status neutral approach.
Practice the CDC 6-step reduced counseling approach for non-reactive and reactive results.

State Drug Assistance Program (SDAP) Benefits Bootcamp Recordings

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1102543, On-demand, 11.5 hours total, Last updated March 2022)

The State Drug Assistance Program (SDAP) Benefits Bootcamp was hosted in March 2022 by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Office of STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis to increase key knowledge and skills of Colorado case managers and other providers who work with people living with HIV. This blended learning series includes recordings of live virtual sessions and pre-recorded or self-paced virtual sessions. Access the SDAP Benefits Bootcamp training itinerary for course titles and descriptions.

Structural and Social Determinants of Health Inequities

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1125048, On-demand, 1 hour, Last updated March 2025)

The goal of this course is to provide a foundational understanding of the intersection of structural and social determinants of health inequities and their roles in shaping behavior, outcomes, and health disparities related to STIs, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis. We will explore interventions that address SSDHI, emphasizing the structural and social determinants (SSDOH) versus individual determinants of health (IDOH). This course is specifically designed for non-clinical providers in Colorado who are involved in STI, HIV, and viral hepatitis prevention, treatment, and care.

Course objectives:

Define and identify examples of structural and social determinants of health inequities (SSDHI).
Describe how SSDHI is related to STI/HIV/VH-related behaviors, outcomes, and health inequities.
Explain the importance of addressing SSDHI in addition to individual determinants of health.
Identify individual, interpersonal, and organizational strategies for addressing SSDHI.

Syphilis Basics

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1126139, On-demand, 1 hour, Last updated March 2025)

This course was designed to provide a basic overview of syphilis for non-clinical providers in Colorado working in sexually transmitted infection (STI), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and viral hepatitis (VH) prevention, testing, treatment, and care. The course is self-paced and can be completed over multiple sittings.

Course objectives:

Identify the stages and complications of syphilis.
Describe the testing and screening process for syphilis in non-clinical settings.
Recognize syphilis epidemiology and priority populations in Colorado.
Practice talking points for syphilis prevention, testing, screening, and referrals.

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing Training Recordings

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1120166, On-demand, 2.25 hours total, Last updated May 2024)

The STI Testing Training was hosted in April 2024 by the Office of STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis. This series includes recordings of live virtual sessions that review STI testing requirements for CDPHE contractors; basic information about syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea; guidelines for chlamydia and gonorrhea specimen collection, handling, storage, and transport; and CDPHE Laboratory processes and protocols. Viewing the recordings and completing the assessments fulfills the training requirements per the CDPHE Standards for HIV/STI/VH Prevention and Harm Reduction Services for agencies funded to provide STI testing and agencies that receive STI testing lab credits.

Course objectives:

Identify CDPHE Standards for Prevention and Harm Reduction requirements for STI testing.
Recall basic information about syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, extragenital screening, and Expedited Partner Therapy.
Identify key tips for clients self-collecting urine, throat, rectal, and vaginal specimens.
Recall guidelines for proper handling, storage, and transport of specimens.
Recall CDPHE Laboratory processes and protocols for STI testing.

Viral Hepatitis Basics

(CO.TRAIN Course ID 1116275, On-demand, 2 hours, Last updated January 2024)

This self-paced, virtual course provides a basic overview of viral hepatitis, focusing on the most common types of viral hepatitis in the United States and Colorado: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The course is intended for non-clinical providers in Colorado working in STI, HIV, and viral hepatitis prevention, treatment, and care.

Course objectives:

Describe what viral hepatitis is.
Identify key differences between hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
List the ways hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C can be transmitted.
Describe the courses of hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C infection.
Describe hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C epidemiology and priority populations in Colorado.
Describe hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C prevention strategies.
Recall basic information about hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C testing.
Recall basic information about hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C care and treatment.