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Course Description

Course Number 20-774430

     Over 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV and many are not even aware that they have it. Testing, counseling, treatment, and monitoring are key components of controlling the spread of HIV. Healthcare professionals need to know; the origin and timeline of HIV, HIV strains, modes of transmission and how to reduce the risk of occupational transmission, how to assess patients for risk and reduce the risk of HIV infection, the stages and symptoms of HIV, how to test for HIV, the importance of pre and post-test counselling, the clinical management of HIV, classes of antiretroviral therapy, how to discuss HIV / AIDS prevention with patients as well as HIV laws and reporting requirements.

District of Columbia Required Course | This course satisfies the 3-contact-hour continuing education requirement for healthcare professionals in the District of Columbia.

Florida Required Course | This course satisfies 3-contact-hours of  HIV / AIDS training for Florida healthcare providers under 64B9-5.009, F.A.C, 64B6-5.001(3) F.A.C. and s. 456.033 F.S. and s. 456.034 F.S. | Florida Boards which require 3-hours of HIV / AIDS training for the first renewal include the Florida Board of Respiratory Care and the Florida Board of Acupuncture. 

Looking for a 1-Hours HIV / AIDS Course: Multiple Boards require a 1-hour HIV / AIDS Course including, but not limited to;

The Florida Board of Nursing | Florida Board of Athletic Training | Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Training | Florida Board of Massage Therapy | Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrators | Florida Board of Occupational Therapy | Florida Board of Physical Therapy | Florida Board of Podiatric Medicine | Florida Council of Dietetics and Nutrition | Florida Council of Licensed Midwifery | Florida Council of Medical Physicists | Florida Electrolysis Council | Florida Emergency Medical Services.


  • Course Category | Public Health

  • Original Activity Release Date | 04/02/2020

  • Date of Most Recent Review | 04/02/2020

  • Next Review / Course Termination Date | 04/01/2023

Educational Goals & Learning Outcomes

   The goal of this course is to increase the knowledge base of healthcare professionals regarding HIV/AIDS including; history, epidemiology, strains, risk factors, protective factors, patient assessment, stages, symptoms, testing, counseling, clinical management, classes of antiretroviral therapy, prevention and laws and reporting for HIV. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

  • Analyze the origin timeline of HIV

  • Distinguish HIV strains; types, groups and subtypes

  • Differentiate the modes of transmission for HIV

  • Employ HIV infection control procedures

  • Assess patients for risk and illustrate methods to reduce risk

  • Categorize stages of HIV and assess for symptoms of HIV

  • Differentiate HIV testing methods

  • Illustrate the importance of pre and post-test counseling

  • Apply clinical management of patients with HIV

  • Differentiate classes of antiretroviral therapy

About the Course Author(s)

Darren C. Leach, MSN, APRN, NP-C

Darren C. Leach is a nurse practitioner and author. He is licensed as an APRN by the State of Florida and Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. His professional experience ranges across the lifespan from infants to the elderly with positions in adult internal and emergency care, pediatric internal and emergency care, pediatric and neonatal intensive care as well as endocrinology and nephrology. He has also provided education to nurses, patients, and families in a variety of formats and settings. He received his Baccalaureate of Science degree in Nursing from the University of South Florida in 2005, and his Masters of Science degree in Family Health Nursing in 2010. Mr. Leach has authored numerous courses, including many for MedCEC. To view Mr. Leach's full bio click here.

Course Curriculum