COVID-19 Nasopharyngeal Sample Collection
Red River College has launched a new micro-credential course to train specific groups of health-care students and health-care professionals in safe COVID-19 sample collection procedures and ultimately help increase the COVID-19 sample collecting capacity for Manitoba Public Health.
The tuition-free course runs several times throughout the fall and will train you in safe COVID-19 sample collection procedures with essential theory delivered online and a hands-on lab delivered in person.
Course Information
This micro-credential focuses on nasopharyngeal sample collection, which is an important part of identifying individuals with COVID-19 to assist in the pandemic response. Students will become familiar with safe sample collection procedures. This will include a review of COVID-19 and its causative agent, the anatomy and physiology of the nasopharynx, and best practices when working with clients and samples.
The course is non-credit and consists of a three-hour online theory component and a two-hour hands-on lab conducted in person to demonstrate competency in performing the skills required.
This course is being offered to meet the immediate need of creating a pool of trained individuals to collect nasopharyngeal samples, playing an important part in the outbreak response. This course is designed to be delivered in its entirety over one week, including the theory and skills components.
What are Micro-credentials?
Modules
Goals and learning outcomes are provided with each of the course’s modules.
Intro Module
Module 1: COVID-19
Module 2: A & P
Module 3: PPE and Hand Hygiene
Module 4: Procedure
Module 5: COVID-19 Samples: From Collection and Beyond
Module 6: Hands-on Lab
Eligibility
The course will be available to:
- students in at least the second year of one of the following regulated health professions:
- registered nursing;
- licensed practical nursing;
- registered psychiatric nursing; and
- medicine at the University of Manitoba, including medical students and physician assistant students;
- students enrolled in an approved paramedicine or respiratory therapy program;
- people qualified to practice in one of the following regulated health professions in jurisdictions outside Manitoba or Canada (based on the presentation of valid credentials):
- registered nursing;
- licensed practical nursing;
- registered psychiatric nursing; and
- medicine;
- health care aides;
- medical laboratory technologists;
- occupational therapists;
- physiotherapists; and
- pharmacists.
Nursing professionals (RNs, LPNs and RPNs) who are qualified to practice within Canada and interested in refreshing their skills are also encouraged to take the course.
Individuals who complete the course will only be able to perform COVID-19 swabbing in RHA- or government- contracted sites.
Proof of eligibility will be required within two business days of registration and prior to attending the skills lab. Scanned or emailed copies of admission requirements will be accepted. Emailed copies can be sent to ceadvisor@rrc.ca.
Admission Requirements
Those working in the health-care field will be required to present proof of employment in the field, a certificate of graduation, or registration or a licence with the regulatory body for that profession.
Students will be required to present proof of enrolment or registration in a Manitoba post-secondary education program, including year of study (where applicable).
Health professionals qualified to practice in jurisdictions outside Manitoba or Canada will be required to present proof of degree or registration or a licence with the regulatory body from an outside jurisdiction (current or lapsed).
English Language Assessment
English as an additional language applicants must meet the following English language requirements. Proof of the completed English Language Assessment is not required.
| English Language Assessment | Minimum Required Levels | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (L – Listening, S – Speaking, R – Reading, W – Writing) | L | S | R | W |
| CanTEST (Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees) RRC Institutional or Official CanTEST accepted. |
4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| IELTS – Academic (International English Language Testing System) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| TOEFL-iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language – internet Based Test) To meet the needs of students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT® test at a test center due to public health concerns, ETS is temporarily offering the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test in selected areas. |
20 | 24 | 22 | 22 |
Communication skills are critical for success in the health-care field. Students will be assessed/graded on their communication skills during the lab portion of this course. A student’s ability to communicate clearly will impact their success in this course.
Register
Please ensure you are able to attend the lab in person before registering.
Registration is presently only available over the phone to ensure eligibility requirements are met.
For Sections With Availability, Call 204.694.1789 to Register
Additional Information
Questions about the course can be directed to Red River College by calling 204.694.1789 or emailing cde@rrc.ca.