Designed in collaboration with Toronto Public Health, this self-paced, online course provides frontline workers and service providers with a foundational understanding of communicable diseases and evidence-based strategies to protect and promote health for both staff and clients in shelter and community-based environments.
Through practical and relevant content, learners will explore how to respond to Public Health alerts in the Shelter Management Information System (SMIS), understand the chain of disease transmission, and implement effective infection prevention and control measures. The course also provides guidance on proper hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and key knowledge on tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), harm reduction, and overdose prevention.
By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to create safer, healthier environments for themselves, their teams, and the individuals they serve.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize and respond appropriately to Public Health alerts posted in SMIS.
- Identify and explain the links in the chain of transmission of communicable diseases.
- Demonstrate proper hand hygiene techniques and understand the importance of hand care in disease prevention.
- Select, don, and remove personal protective equipment (PPE) using correct procedures based on the task at hand.
- Differentiate between Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) and Active Tuberculosis Disease, including symptoms, transmission, and risk factors.
- Identify the most common reportable sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Discuss key harm reduction and overdose prevention strategies, including tools, resources, and program models relevant to frontline work.
Learning Outcomes:
- Respond effectively to health alerts issued in SMIS.
- Break the chain of transmission using proper prevention strategies.
- Apply adequate hand hygiene practices and understand their role in disease prevention.
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately in daily work.
- Understand and explain the difference between LTBI and Active Tuberculosis Disease.
- Recognize common STIs and know where to access additional information and reporting resources.
- Apply harm reduction principles and utilize overdose prevention tools in alignment with current best practices.
Course Structure:
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Getting Started
Overview of course goals, expectations, navigation, and learning objectives. -
Module 1: Shelter Management Information System (SMIS) – Health & Safety Alerts
Topics: Identifying and responding to communicable disease alerts in SMIS; understanding Public Health notifications. -
Module 2: Chain of Transmission and Infection Prevention and Control
Topics: Links in the chain of transmission; strategies for breaking the chain; infection prevention principles. -
Module 3: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Topics: Types of PPE, appropriate selection, and step-by-step guidance for putting on (donning) and removing (doffing) PPE. -
Module 4: Tuberculosis (TB)
Topics: Differentiating between Latent TB Infection (LTBI) and Active TB Disease; symptoms, risks, and prevention strategies. -
Module 5: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Topics: Overview of common reportable STIs; symptoms, transmission, and harm reduction strategies. -
Module 6: Harm Reduction and Overdose
Topics: Principles of harm reduction; tools and techniques for overdose prevention; community programs and resources.
Target Audience:
This course is ideal for individuals working within shelter systems, homelessness services, or other frontline roles in the City of Toronto.
Mode(s): Self-Paced
Length: Approximately 6 hours
Course Requirements: All course requirements must be finished within 30 days of enrollment in order to obtain proof of completion.
Cost: $75 per person
Note: This course makes use of educational material from Khan Academy, a non-profit organization that is not affiliated with IDEA. All Khan Academy materials are freely available at www.khanacademy.org.