TTI NRL launches HIV Proficiency Courses in RITM LEARN  
Posted on  by Anel Azel Dimaano

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) through its Transfusion Transmissible Infections National Reference Laboratory (TTI NRL) conducted the HIV and Other TTI Proficiency Training Workshop – Refresher Course to 61 licensed HIV-proficient medical technologists last May 19, 2023 via the Institute’s learning management system (LMS), RITM LEARN (Learning, Education and Resources Network) — a maiden course of its type on the said virtual platform.

The course provided updates for medical technologists with existing HIV Testing Proficiency Certificates that have lapsed. The self-paced training course consisted of lectures, video presentations, and case analyses designed to review the basic principles and updates on HIV and other TTI testing. 

Through RITM LEARN, the learner-oriented processes are automated. This includes training enrollment, and implementation and evaluation of training courses. Each registered participant of the course enrolled through the Institute’s LMS and accessed training resources (e.g. pre-recorded videos, interactive activities, assessment, and evaluation) at their own pace. 

(left) Participants’ view of RITM LEARN learning blocks, (right) pre-recorded video presentation for the lecture on Quality Assurance for Blood Service Facilities during the Refresher Course.

Aside from the HIV and Other TTI Proficiency refresher course, TTI NRL also conducted a full course on the topic on RITM LEARN last April 24-28, 2023 which was participated by  a total of 23 licensed medical technologists from various blood service facilities.The five-day online training course consisted a series of lectures by TTI NRL’s experts which focused on basic theories and laboratory work demonstrations. The lectures were packaged as pre-recorded videos and pre-scheduled online live sessions. Ultimately, the online training aimed to promote self-sufficiency and sustainability among medical technologists, and eventually contributed to the development of their technical and analytical skills required to promote best practices in laboratory testing. 

Participants of the online full course with their facilitator practicing return demonstration for pipetting and biosafety.

“I have some sort of hearing issue, so online platforms are helpful for me. It works in my favor because I can move around and refrain from feeling numb throughout the lectures. I therefore give it a thumbs up, not just for the platform but also for actively responding to our questions,” said a participant in her evaluation for the training. 

“What I like most about the activities is answering the case studies and brainstorming with the other blood service facilities. It makes you think and reflect because I can experience some cases given. The activity allowed us to share our ideas and explain further,” said another participant. 

In addition to being a requirement for the renewal of the License to Operate issued by the Department of Health Health Facilities Services and Regulatory Bureau (DOH HFSRB) , and the Certificate of Inclusion to the Blood Services Network provided by the DOH National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP), TTI NRL ensures that quality in blood screening and blood safety are maintained through the effective delivery of the training course. 

For interested participants, please be guided by the upcoming schedules of TTI NRL’s courses:

HIV and Other TTI Testing Proficiency Training Full Course:

  • June 19-23, 2023
  • August 14-18, 2023
  • October 9-13, 2023

HIV and Other TTI Testing Proficiency Training Refresher Course:

  • October 6, 2023

by Joharha May A. Custodio, RPm and Anel Azel Dimaano