Workforce Development - Anex Training
To help meet the training and professional development needs of Australia’s Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) and harm reduction workers, Anex offers an extensive Education and Training Program.
Anex offers over 12 training sessions, including ‘Introduction to NSP’, ‘Vein Care’, ‘Amphetamines’, ‘Safe Retrieval and Disposal of Injecting Equipment’, ‘Brief Interventions’ and ‘Managing Challenging Behaviours’, just to name a few. Anex also offers affordable training for the broader community, welfare and allied health sectors.
For more information, see the sections below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Booking and further information
About Anex’s Training Sessions
Core NSP Sessions
Drugs & Drug Issues
Support Skills
Safety in the Workplace
Upcoming training sessions at Anex’s Offices
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anex accredited?
Anex is a Registered Training Organisation under the Australian Quality Training Framework.
Who’s the training for?
The training is suitable for all people who work where NSP services are provided, including NSP workers, nurses, receptionists, health promotion and community health workers.
Where should I start?
If you haven’t undertaken Anex Training before, the Core NSP Sessions, ‘Introduction to NSP’, ‘Vein Care’ and ‘Managing Challenging Behaviours’, may be a great place to start. These sessions offer new workers a solid introduction to the sector. They can also act as a ‘refresher’ for more experienced workers.
My service has done the Anex Training already…
Did you know that Anex now offers over 12 training sessions? The sessions are grouped under the following themes: Core NSP Sessions, Drugs and Drug Issues, Providing Support and Safety in the Workplace. If it’s been a while since your service underwent training, remember, the training is continually updated to reflect emerging issues and best practice.
But, NSP work isn’t my core role
NSP work doesn’t have to be your core responsibility for you to gain from Anex training. If you come into contact with NSP service users, the Anex Training can help you understand the role of NSPs and equip you with the skills and knowledge to work more effectively with injecting drug users.
Who runs the training?
Anex has a team of qualified, experienced and enthusiastic trainers with a strong background spanning NSPs, Alcohol and Other Drugs, family services, juvenile justice, nursing and mental health.
Can I receive Anex Training locally?
If there are an adequate number of participants, Anex will deliver training at your service no matter where you’re located. Anex also runs some sessions from its offices in Melbourne and in major regional centres. If you would like to be informed of upcoming sessions, please email us.
How much does the training cost?
Based on the type of service, location and training requirements, Anex will provide an affordable training program that meets your service’s needs. Call Anex on (03) 94866399 to discuss. Anex provides free training for NSP services in Victoria, supported by funding from the Victorian Department of Human Services.
How long does the training take?
Each training session takes 3 hours, though we can tailor each of the topics to suit the needs of your service. Anex can run a selection of training sessions back to back, or just the one.
Does Anex provide tailored training sessions?
Anex can provide advanced training sessions and/or sessions tailored to your services’ specific needs.
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Booking and further information
For further information, to book in training or to discuss your particular needs, call Anex on (03) 9486 6399 or email Anex.
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About Anex’s Training Sessions
Core NSP Sessions
Introduction to NSPs
Delivering NSP services is difficult and there are a number of perspectives on their role and other harm reduction programs, aimed at illicit drug users. This session is designed to provide participants with an overview of NSPs and where they fit within a broad public health approach. It includes an exploration of historical perspectives, a rationale for the delivery of health promotion and blood borne virus information to injecting drug users. It will also explore the well documented effectiveness of NSPs at reducing drug-related harms to individuals and the broader community.
Vein Care
The intravenous administration of drugs bypasses the filtering and delaying mechanisms that protect us when substances are absorbed via the gastro-intestinal tract, lungs or skin. This session explores the processes for correct injecting techniques and alternative routes of administration. Health issues for injectors, particularly in relation to blood borne viruses, bacterial and fungal infections and damage to the circulatory system, will be addressed. Participants will gain a better understanding of drug administration, associated injecting site problems and information that will enable medical and non-medical staff to give correct and consistent advice about vein care.
Harm Minimisation
Harm minimisation has been the Australian Government’s policy in relation to Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) issues for over 20 years. This session provides an overview of harm minimisation, explaining how the philosophy has guided Government policy and work practices. Participants will gain a better understanding of where harm reduction fits within the broader harm minimisation framework, as well as a greater awareness of the potential harms related to drug use. This information will help participants assist clients to manage their lifestyles in a more positive manner.
Drugs & Drug Issues
Methamphetamines
Research indicates that a significant and increasing number of NSP service users regularly use amphetamines. This change in drug consumption creates different health risks for people who inject drugs and new service provision challenges for NSPs. This session will cover the broad range of amphetamine type substances and explore their pharmacology. Participants will take away a clear understanding of the risks and potential harms associated with methamphetamine use, as well as harm reduction strategies to implement in their work setting.
Drug Identification
With many names and variances within most drug categories, particularly illicit substances, it’s useful for NSP workers to have a sound understanding of what people are using, how they are using it and what the potential effects may be. This session explores the intriguing world of licit and illicit drugs. It includes drug identification, classifications, types of use, effects, routes of administration and drug interactions. This practical session will give participants an improved understanding of current best practice thinking.
Pharmacotherapies
The use of pharmacotherapies is recognised as an effective treatment for Alcohol and Other Drug dependence. NSPs provide the broadest interface between injecting drug users and the health service system and can help facilitate a service user to investigate treatment options. This session positions pharmacotherapy as a harm reduction approach, explores the range of available medications and supports, and identifies the process for accessing a program. The session will help participants assist clients who feel overwhelmed by the world of pharmacological interventions.
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Support Skills
Communication & Engagement Techniques
Communicating messages to individuals and groups is essential in all public health and health promotion endeavours. Determining the needs of your service users, delivering information campaigns, evaluating the impact of health messages and overcoming barriers to providing information are issues that many NSP workers struggle with at some stage. This workshop will assist you to create ongoing relationships built on trust and respect within an anonymous and confidential service and provide a framework for delivering best practice interventions.
Health Promotion
The health promotion framework provides a comprehensive approach to addressing the interrelated and often complex issues within marginalised communities, through recognition that health is as individual as it is a social phenomenon. In the HIV/AIDS sector, health promotion has been especially effective in the clinical setting, mobilising communities and addressing broader social issues such as discrimination. This session explores the key components of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and the essential theories which are examined in the context of NSP practice. A planning framework is provided to assist participants with developing local health promotion initiatives
Brief Interventions
Brief intervention is a proven technique within the Alcohol and Other Drug field. Enhancing the knowledge and skills of the workforce improves client engagement and increases the identification of opportunities to provide support. This session investigates the use of brief interventions, specifically within NSPs, and focuses on the ‘stages of change’ model, motivational interviewing principles and skills training for service users. Participants will take away the knowledge and skills to identify opportunities for intervention.
Working with Intoxicated Service Users
The provision of NSP services to people presenting as intoxicated is an issue that may cause workers concern. As it is critical that a correct assessment is made in order to provide the most effective intervention, this session provides participants with the knowledge and skills to recognise the signs and symptoms of intoxication and implement strategies to manage the client in a safe and effective manner. Participants will explore risk identification, assessment and minimisation, duty of care and ethical practice. It will briefly cover the process of responding to a medical emergency.
Improving Interactions with Steroid Users
The use of steroids and related substances is known to be on the increase and NSP workers are reporting that more steroid injectors are accessing NSPs. This emerging client group brings with it different needs and NSP workers may feel ill-equipped to provide appropriate harm reduction information. This session will look at the physical and psychological impacts of use, as well as introduce participants to the stock items required to undertake steroid use in safest manner possible.
Managing Challenging Behaviours
NSP workers may sometimes come across behaviours that are challenging and require intervention. This session provides the theoretical perspective for managing challenging behaviours and addresses issues such as functions of behaviour, causal events, conflict resolution and creating a positive environment. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the issues relevant to their workplace and will start the planning process for a framework of practical strategies to assist their service’s requirements.
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Safety in the Workplace
Safe Retrieval and Disposal of Injecting Equipment
All NSPs are required to take a proactive role in ensuring that injecting equipment is disposed of correctly. However, there are occasions when needles, syringes and/or other paraphernalia are discarded inappropriately. This session provides practical experience in handling injecting equipment and unpacks the process of retrieving and disposing of equipment, in compliance with relevant policies and guidelines.
Participants will have the opportunity to handle injecting equipment and practice safe procedures so they become more confident with executing ‘a disposal’ in their local setting, or assisting others to do so.
Infection Control
The transmission of infection in the health care setting is an issue that constantly presents new challenges. Ensuring that all staff are aware of infection control policies and procedures and subsequently modifying and improving work practices is the responsibility of all health services. This session will explore relevant state and national infection control procedures and guidelines to ensure that your organisational work practices meet legislative requirements.
It draws on resources such as the National Infection Control Guidelines, Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 and relevant organisational policies. It is designed to provide you with a framework to introduce an effective infection control strategy within your service.
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