The STI Foundation Advanced Competency training and assessment is structured as a 6-24-month clinical attachment (minimum of 50 clinical sessions) within a Level 3 Specialist Sexual Health / Integrated Sexual Health and Contraception service.
STI Foundation Advanced Competency
- aims to develop the knowledge, skills, experience and competence of healthcare professionals to diagnose and manage sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- provides a framework to ensure that sufficient experience is gained to practise at an advanced level.
- is suitable for specialist sexual health nurses working towards independent and advanced clinical practice and for those planning to lead and deliver Level 2 standard sexual health services.
- certification at Advanced level enables the successful trainee to register as a STIF Competency Trainer
Training is provided by Registered STI Foundation Competency Trainers.
Registration criteria
The prospective trainee is required to hold a valid STI Foundation Intermediate Competency Certificate issued on or after 1 August 2020. It is the responsibility of the Registered STI Foundation Competency Trainer to determine that the trainee has the appropriate level of knowledge and practical clinical experience to undertake the STI Foundation Advanced Competency training and assessments within the specified training period of 24 months from the date of the first assessment.
STI Foundation Advanced Competency registration
- £450
STI Foundation Advanced E-learning (eHIV-STI)
You do not need to be registered on the STI Foundation Advanced programme to undertake the e-learning. It is highly recommended that you complete 50% of the e-learning before commencing your training and assessments.
Time frame for completion of training
24 months from the date of the first assessment. STI Foundation recognises that COVID19 is likely to cause disruption to training. The timeframe remains unchanged; training extensions as result of the pandemic are given.
A training extension request form needs to be completed prospectively, not retrospectively.
On successful completion of the training and assessment programme, a Diploma of STI Foundation (D-STIF) Advanced Competency is awarded. The Diploma needs to be revalidated every five years.
