This course is designed for registered nurses who are required to perform Tuberculin Skin Tests (TST) and Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccinations as part of their roles. The purpose of the course is to provide you with a theoretical framework that you can use in your clinical practice when you administer, read, interpret and document TST and BCG vaccinations.
Please note that this course will provide you with the theory component only. Practical skills and assessment is not part of this course. ACN is not responsible for organising or facilitating any practical components.
Course overview
Course content
Bacille Calmette-Guèrin vaccination
- Introduction to BCG
- BCG vaccination
- BCG administration
Tuberculosis and tuberculin skin testing
- Latent TB
- Administering the TST
- Boosted reaction and 2-step
Course structure
The course will take you about 40 hours to complete, this is made up of reading, studying and research associated with the learning guide, resources and completion of the assessments. The theoretical component of this course is conducted online using ACN’s learning platform — CNnect.
In order to fulfil the practical requirements of Authorisation to Supply Restricted Substances, please check your state/territory guidelines regarding the need to demonstrate proficiency in clinical skills for TST and BCG vaccination. This course only covers the theoretical component and does not deem you competent in the practical skill.
Students are supported by the immunisation team as well as encouraged to ask their workplace for assistance where required.
Admission
All applicants are required to meet all of the following criteria:
- Hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse equivalent qualification
- Hold a current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
In order to fulfil the practical requirements of Authorisation to Supply Restricted Substances, please check your state/territory guidelines regarding the need to demonstrate proficiency in clinical skills for TST and BCG vaccination
Textbooks and resources
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). (2022). Australian Immunisation Handbook https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/
Award
Students who have successfully completed this course will be awarded with a certificate of achievement and 40 CPD hours.
Course dates
| Course code | 357 |
|---|---|
| Duration: | 10 weeks |
| CPD hours: | 40 hours |
| Mode of delivery: | Online |
| Course dates: | January-December rolling enrolments |
How to apply
ACN members: $550
Non-members: $600
*Fees are subject to change without notice.
To get the most out of your experience on CNnect, you will need to have confidence with working online. If you can do the things in the list below, you should be fine – if not, you may need to seek some support from a friend or colleague.
- I have internet access
- I can send an email
- I can attach a file to an email
- I can open a browser
- I can navigate to a website using a browser
- I can download a file to my computer
- I can save a file to my computer
- I can use Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint
- I can cut/copy and paste from one document to another document
- I can change my screen resolution (make the page appear bigger or smaller on the screen)
Recommended minimum system requirements
| PC | Mac |
| 512 MB RAM | 512 MB RAM |
| 6 GB HDD | 6 GB HDD |
| 300Mhz Processor | Intel based processor |
| 1280 x 1024 resolution display preferred (notebooks may operate on other resolutions) | 1280 x 1024 display |
| Windows XP or later operating systems | OSX 10.5.x or later |
| CD/DVD drive | CD/DVD drive |
| Speakers (either in-built or external) and microphone (preferably external) | Speakers (either in-built or external) and microphone (preferably external) |
| Google Chrome (latest version), Mozilla Firefox (latest version) | Safari or Mozilla Firefox (latest version) or Google Chrome (latest version) |
| Ability to save files in Microsoft Office format | Ability to save files in Microsoft Office format or equivalent e.g. Open Office, Viewer |
| Latest version of Adobe Flash Player, and Adobe Acrobat Reader | Latest version of Adobe Flash Player, and Adobe Acrobat Reader |
N.B. Internet explorer is not recommended.
Frequently asked questions
This course has been designed to provide nurses with the knowledge on how to assess clients for risks, signs and symptoms of tuberculosis and to gain knowledge on how to safely administer BCG vaccinations (within their scope of practice).
This course will benefit your practice by helping you to develop a better understanding of the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to competently deliver a professional immunisation service to the community.
This course is conducted online through guided study. The online learning environment used in ACN is called CNnect.
As an enrolled student, you will have access to:
- a nurse educator/course coordinator
- IT support when you encounter issues associated with the technical aspects of CNnect
- To understand the principles of TB transmission, signs and symptoms of TB disease and the difference in presentation and management principles of Latent TB infection versus Active TB disease.
- To describe the TST procedure utilising TB nurse assessment, inclusive of immune suppression, BCG and TST history, previous TB contact and symptom screening.
- To analyse, interpret and apply TST results in a specific clinical scenario using current local health policy directives.
- To evaluate the outcomes of a contact screening scenario using the results and information provided, and to create a care management plan for each case referred.
- Describe the procedure of BCG administration in accord with current recommendations in the Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) and local Health policy directives.
- Understand and describe BCG efficacy.
- Understand and explain side effects and adverse events related to the BCG vaccine.
Students will be guided by the study and assessment timetable for this 10 week course. The content delivered is focussed on the theoretical component of both TST and BCG.
In order to receive your certificate of completion you must:
- Complete the online theory
- Complete a multiple-choice assessment
- Complete a case study assessment
To enrol, you will need to complete the online form and submit payment to our customer services team once you have received your invoice. If you require any assistance with this, please email immunisationadmin@acn.edu.au.
It is best to speak to your accountant or contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Full payment must be received prior to the commencement of the course.
Contact us
Customer Services
t: 02 9745 7500 or 1800 061 660 (charges may apply)
e: immunisationadmin@acn.edu.au
