COVID-19 Antibody Test Training Course

Gain the understanding of the skills, competencies and underpinning knowledge to safely undertake COVID-19 antibody testing for your clients, patients or staff.

COVID-19 antibody tests can help identify those who have previously been exposed to COVID-19 and may have some immunity from it.

COVID-19 Antibody Testing Training Course

Overview

With the number of people now returning back to work since lockdown, it has become increasingly important for the swift testing of individuals who believe that they may have come into contact with the virus. Our training course will give you the skills and confidence to undertake antibody testing for your clients, patients or staff.

What is a COVID-19 Antibody Test?

This type of test looks for the presence of antibodies (produced by people with the virus to counteract the virus) against the COVID-19 virus. These antibody tests are also referred to as serology tests and can be conducted in a laboratory or through point-of-care testing (GOV.UK 2020)

How do COVID-19 Antibody Tests Work?

The test is intended to determine if someone has previously been infected with COVID-19 and now may have antibodies against the virus. A positive result from this test does not guarantee immunity to COVID-19 infection. It may just indicate a recent infection that may or may not have been COVID-19.

The tests involve taking a blood sample, often a finger prick, which will be analysed for the presence of antibodies associated with COVID-19. These tests should only be performed and interpreted by fully trained, healthcare professionals and not by members of the public.

Some manufacturers are selling products intended to detect COVID-19 antibodies. These typically use a few blood drops applied to a small cassette. These tests should be available to healthcare professionals only. (GOV.UK 2020)

The test requires a finger prick blood sample.
The antibody test is testing for the specific “IgG” & “IgM” COVID-19 antibodies.
This test can only be carried out by a trained healthcare professional. Members of the public cannot use these tests.

Antibody Testing Training Session Outline

To gain an understanding of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
To recognise the symptoms of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
Understand how COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) spreads within the community.
Be aware of the precautions that should be undertaken around Infection Control, including Hand Hygiene, Personal Protective Equipment and Respiratory Hygiene.
Discuss exposure to and testing of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
Understand the COVID-19 IgG/IgM RAPID TEST, the Use, Precautions and the Components to the Testing Kit.
Be aware of the Assay procedure for the fingerstick whole blood specimen via the COVID-19 IgG/IgM RAPID TEST.
Be aware of the procedure for Serum, Plasma and blood sampling via the COVID-19 IgG/IgM RAPID TEST.
Be able to interpret the results of the COVID-19 IgG/IgM RAPID TEST.
Be aware of the limitations, accuracy and specificity of the COVID-19 IgG/IgM RAPID TEST.

Suitable for

This course is suitable for healthcare professionals across all settings (doctors, nurses, occupational health nurses etc). Please note that this course is not available to members of the public.

After the course

Upon completion of this course you will have access to our Rapid IgM/IgG Tests which you can use for your own patients, clients or staff. Please ask the team for more information.

COVID-19 Antibody testing training course

Training provided by a registered nurse

Learn how to test for COVID-19 IgG & IgM antibodies

Course duration 3 hours

Course is delivered virtually

Access to our COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Tests after training. Carry out antibody testing privately for your clients, patients or staff.

Certificate provided

FAQ

frequently asked questions

Why should I undertake training for antibody testing?

Our training programme aims to give you the underpinning knowledge and confidence to undertake our COVID-19 IgG/IgM antibody tests so you can offer your patients, clients or staff the correct advice when it comes to testing for COVID-19 antibodies.

How much does it cost?

The course costs £399 this includes certification and competencies so you can carry out testing for you patients, clients or staff.

Once you have completed the course you will access to our testing kits which are manufactured in certified Swiss laboratory and CE marked for UK use. You will be able to order these tests at wholesale price from our supplier. Please get in touch for price guidance.

Who can do this course?

This course can only be undertaken by a healthcare professional.

Please note: these tests cannot be performed by members of the public. Only trained and qualified healthcare professionals will be able to perform these tests for their patients, clients or staff.

How long does the course last for?

The course will last for 3 hours and will be facilitated by our registered nurses.

How is the course delivered?

In line with current lockdown measures. This course will be facilitated by our registered nurses over a virtual training platform. We typically use MS Teams to deliver training to our clients.

What is the difference between PCR and Antibody testing?

PCR tests are performed by a fully trained, healthcare professional. It involves analysing a sample collected from deep inside the nose or the back of the throat by a swab or the sample might be saliva or other fluid. The test can take from less than an hour to several days to get a result.

Antibody testing looks for the presence of antibodies (produced by people with the virus to counteract the virus) against COVID-19 virus. The tests involves taking a finger prick blood sample which is then analysed for the presence of antibodies associated with COVID-19. (These tests should only be performed and interpreted by fully trained, healthcare professional).

Further advice on PCR & Antibody testing can be found on the government website here.

Who are we?

Wren Healthcare is a CQC registered healthcare provider, founded by clinical nurse specialists. We provide clinical skills and disease area training to healthcare professionals and the general public across the UK. We work with the NHS, private healthcare & commercial organisations supporting them with our clinical training services.

Following the latest coronavirus outbreak we are now supporting healthcare professionals to undertake COVID-19 Antibody testing spread across their organisation.