Monash supports aged care sector with infection control training

Monash University is assisting the aged care sector with infection control training for workers, to help the industry cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS) is delivering a face-to-face program to residential aged care facilities on behalf of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

The program, launched in July 2020, offers opt-in training in infection control measures for COVID-19 to up to 780+ facilities within metropolitan Melbourne and regional and rural Victoria. In just over two months, Monash University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery has trained more than 2600 nurses, ADF personnel and staff in RACFs across the state.

Qualified nurse educators deliver the preventative training sessions. Careful safety measures are in place and the program is not being conducted in facilities with outbreak – which instead receive other dedicated support from Commonwealth-State government outbreak response teams.

Head of Monash University Nursing and Midwifery and Program Director, Professor Debra Griffiths, said the program was developed in consultation with residential aged care services and their care and service staff, and recent training was successful.

She said the training complements and builds on the Federal Department of Health’s COVID-19 infection control training program and Monash Health’s online training program with inclusive face-to-face training tailored to the diverse roles and language and literacy backgrounds of the aged care workers in attendance.

“Monash University understands the importance of upskilling Victoria’s aged care workforce to help to protect them, their families and their vulnerable residents. We aim to help the workforce provide the greatest support possible to vulnerable seniors,” Professor Griffiths said.

“As Australia’s largest university, Monash is one of the largest educators of nurses and midwives with experienced staff including health and medical education experts, infectious disease experts and clinical educators.”

“We are pleased to be working with the Victorian Government and Monash Health to help address the training needs of the aged care sector during this ongoing pandemic.”

Monash University’s training is currently being delivered to aged care facilities across the state. The program is expected to last until the end of 2020 or until all facilities who opt-in receive their training.

OVERVIEW

Face to face infection control and PPE training for the aged care workforce
Free face to face infection control training is available for workers in residential aged care (clinical and non clinical) in Victoria, delivered by Monash University.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided for hands on practice.

Where: On-site training at the residential aged care facility (where physical distancing can be maintained, otherwise a local venue will be arranged).

Who should attend: This course is available for staff in any role at residential aged care facilities in Victoria.

When: 1.5 hour session, day and time to be booked to suit aged care facility staff.

Train the trainer: an extra 30 minutes of training will be provided for people nominated to be Facility Champions. This will include access to resources and support.

Bookings and further information
Bookings can be made online, for eligible participants. Click here.

Online training

Before attending the training, it is recommended that participants complete one of the following online training courses:

Please direct all media enquiries to the Monash University media team.

Telephone: +61 3 9903 4840
Email: media@monash.edu