Hi! I'm Alys and you can read all about me HERE if you want to know some of my background. I am looking forward to delivering your upcoming foundation immunisation training.

What to expect: Please have a read of the organiser information plus all my personal tips below so you can feel nice and prepared for the training.

Please note (in red) recommendations for printing (or bookmarking if you would rather not print) in advance as this might help you to have some things to hand during the course.

confirm with Sharon: times, prerequisites, any links to uni platforms, certificates and registration details...

Course Outline

DAY TWO:

• Consolidation of injection technique and practice: how NOT to do it.

• The vaccine programmes: A deep dive into some fabulous life-saving vaccines. This will be tailored to your role and the vaccines given in general practice.

• We will be getting started on the workbooks on this day so you do not have to complete them in advance of the course. Check out the format of them in advance though so you are familiar with the layout.

Both days will include a short registration and Q&A period (please be on time) and 3 breaks (to ensure you keep the coffee flowing!).

• Morning break will be 15 minutes at around 1045.

• Lunch will be around 1245 for half an hour.

• Afternoon break will be around 1445 for a further 15 minutes.

For day 2 please have the course workbook printed and at the ready (the workbook contains 5 'disease pages' - please find and print this extra insert document too to cover the full immunisation programme).

Other documents you may find useful to print as 'cheat sheets' for your portfolios are:

• Flu poster

• Covid poster

• pertussis poster

• Shingles?

DAY ONE – MORNING

• The aims of immunisation

• How vaccines work

• Current hot topics

• Legal issues

• Communication about vaccines and vaccine hesitancy.

DAY ONE – AFTERNOON

• Vaccine management, storage and handling of vaccines, documentation and record keeping.

• Adverse reactions and anaphylaxis.

• How to give an injection – correct techniques for the vaccines you will be administering.

For day 1 these are the key documents that you will benefit from having printed in advance:

• UK immunisation Schedule and incomplete vaccine algorithm

• Vaccination Timeline

• Vaccines at a glance

• Anaphylaxis algorithm for use in vaccination sessions

BEFORE THE COURSE

1. Make sure you know how to log into your platform and have the links ready

2. Print or save the documents above (not TOO early though - things change fast in vaccine world! A few days to a week before is fine.

3. For most virtual meeting platforms there will be a help page to talk you through things like 'checking internet readiness'.

4. check this website can be accessed at work/uni/home - let the tech department know to alter permissions if needed.

5. Be on time (or even better, early). The first bit of a course 'sets the scene' and gives an outline of the session. If you join late you miss this important part.

6. Aim to use a desktop device as phones usually don't display much and have reduced options (plus you get a very achy neck if your DSE isn't set up right)

7. Restart your device the night before - if any updates need installing you will be glad it happened then and not right a the start of your course. Use the latest versions of Chrome, Safari or Firefox or whatever browser you are using.

8. Prepare your study area so that you can take notes. Pen and paper at the ready! (and coffee and snacks)

9. Ensure you have sorted childcare / clinic appointments / meetings so that you can finish the course and have a bit of reflection time afterwards. Having to leave a course early or in a mad rush means you won't have time to fully digest the session - or you may not receive your certificate of attendance if you haven't attended the full thing. If you know you will have to leave early for another commitment let the organisers know in advance of the course so a contingency can be planned (such as extra reading for instance). TRAINER TIP: It's REALLY awkward when someone publicly asks during a course if they can finish early. Saying 'yes' publicly means that everyone else thinks the rest of the course isn't important, and then they start leaving too! Saying 'no' is just mean and we always understand if something else comes up. No-one can force you to stay on a course!! But it definitely helps to plan for these things in advance (or privately ask the trainer on the day if it's unanticipated).

10. Have a look at the 'after the course' and portfolio section below and consider (if not already) popping to the stationary shop to buy a nice new folder. Take a look at the recommendations below for portfolio content and if not already got one, consider assembling one! The more you do or look at in advance of the course, the more likely it is that you will find things that you want answers to. Much better to realise these things in advance than afterwards when it's harder to make contact with the tutor.

BIG TIP: Go to Aldi and buy all the snacks

Don't forget milk for your brews. And cat food so you don't get nagged by the cat all the way through.

And a bottle of something nice for afterwards to celebrate all your new skills.

FURTHER PREPARATION

Take a look at the following pages of this website just so you are familiar with where all the guidance is that we will be referring to during the course:. You don't have to read every word of everything, it's just so you are familiar with where to continue the learning after the course. These pages form a 'reference list' for everything (and more) that I tend to bring up on immunisation courses.

• Immunisation key documents and guidance Here you will find all the competency and guidance documents surrounding immunisation and useful information about legal mechanisms for administering vaccines.

• Hesitancy and uptake Here you will find helpful articles and suggestions for increasing your uptake and reassuring the concerned public when it comes to misinformation.

• The vaccine portals Here you will find a page for every vaccine in the UK with specific guidance and infomration around each one. PGD's, Green Book links, posters, cheat sheets, extra reading, and so on.

• Consultation tools Here you will find lots of resources for helping your appointments run well, things like working out vaccine histories from abroad, useful leaflets for patients and revision aids.

• Techniques Here you will find the practical tips around administration and some really picky things about medication administration.

DURING THE COURSE: TECH ADVICE

CLOSE EVERYTHING except the platform you are using. If you are using another programme that is using your mic or cam then it may not be able to be used by the training platform. This also saves your bandwidth.

Reduce the number of devices using the internet in your workplace or home. Again, preserve that bandwidth!

LIVE TROUBLESHOOTING!

• Can’t get your video to come on?

• Can’t hear anything?

• Can’t get your mic to work?

• Keep getting kicked out?

• FIRST thing to do: Obvious, but often missed-in-a-panic stuff: Check your volume is turned up! Check covers over camera lenses! Are you headphones connected via Bluetooth and hiding in your bag?

• Log out of the session and log back in again on same link. Look for any dialogue boxes asking if the prog can use your mic/cam. Often these get missed.

• Close other programmes using mic and cams – they may be stopping the use of them on other programs.

• Download the software/app for the particular course you are on (e.g. Zoom/Teams client) if you are able (although preferably do this the night before) – the experience and functionality is much better.

• Bandwidth can be an issue meaning you get kicked out or can’t stream a webcam. Close other programs, turn off as much unnecessary stuff in your environment using internet (E.G. tablets/phones on standby), sit closer to the router, restart the router. Open doors between rooms if router is in another room.

• If it is an unusual problem – have a quick google to troubleshoot – there's always someone else on a message board somewhere who had the same issue and solved it on a forum somewhere.

• IMPORTANT: Know where the mute and stop video buttons are!! Especially if you take your device with you to the toilet so you can carry on listening. TRUST ME, it's happened more than once where a delegate has been up to something they probably didn't want anyone to see, yet everyone saw!! (it's happened to trainers I know as well - Becky if you are reading this, I'm sure everyone loved your on-the-break-workout!).

• And I see a LOT of people shouting at husbands - this seems to be a very common occurrence hmmm...

MORE TIPS: DURING THE COURSE

Are you a bit nervous in large groups or new situations? Me too! I used to get panic attacks and there is no way I would have ever envisioned doing the job I do now back then. But I forced myself out of my comfort zone and after years of practice, I know comfortably (ish) deliver talks to over a hundred people if I am invited to. You can be sure to know that I totally understand nerves, and I never mind if someone wants to turn their screen off and leave the room for a minute, stay quiet for a bit, or just chat with me privately. I want you to be comfortable on my course so do what you need to do to be happy and relaxed. Learning is very difficult if you're not able to concentrate. YOU GOT THIS!

Don't hesitate to message me privately at the start of a course if there is anything I can do to make your experience better or easier.

(Bonus tutor insight: if it makes you feel any better, no matter how confident a tutor looks, we all get the pre-course nerves too!!)

NOTE-TAKING TIPS: Some people like to take notes and others do not. Some benefit from writing furiously throughout and others just find it confusing and just want to listen. That's OK. Do what helps you the most. My personal preference when taking notes is to have four lists on the go so my notes are organised. I add to them accordingly as I go along. Works for me when I'm a delegate on a course.

1. TO DO LIST

2. GLOSSARY

3. TO READ LIST

4. REFLECTION POINTS (I use this list to inspire me for blog titles and future course content)

MORE TIPS: AFTER THE COURSE

• It's not easy being on an intensive course for a large part of the day. If you're in a similar situation to me then you will probably need to dash off and see to the family or make dinner or walk the dog, but try to take just a few minutes to reflect before you get back to the grind of daily life. Life can be just relentless sometimes eh? Try to take a moment.

• NURSEY TIP: If you are on the NMC register, has anything come up that might be useful for a revalidation reflection?

• 70% of people are visual learners who really benefit from seeing things in front of them. I suggest a trip to the stationary shop to buy some binders and dividers and make yourself a nice study file full of cheat sheets. Of course, I would always encourage you to use LIVE resources in practice and have a great selection of organised bookmarks, but there is still a role for good old-fashioned paper when you're learning. I've suggested some contents below and some printing above for use during the course. Highlighters at the ready!!

• Don't forget to use the website pages mentioned above to help you with both bookmarking and creating physical study files in the subject pages.

• If you would like copies of the presentation slides I will upload them HERE after the course.

Suggested Portfolio Content for Immunisers

1. UK schedules and incomplete algorithm posters

2. Vaccine or eligibility summary posters for your specific vaccines (browse the portals for your vaccines)

3. Anaphlaxis posters

4. Guidance documents (e.g. incident management)

5. Competencies (for all here and for PGD users here as well)

6. Individual vaccine factsheets (e.g. find some summaries on the fabulous VKP)

7. Assessments (such as quiz results / completed workbooks). You will still have some gaps in your workbooks after the course but once you have completed it, it will go nicely in your portfolio along with the two immunisation quizzes.

8. Hesitancy and uptake resources

•  Get in the clinics and observe as soon as you get the chance. Make sure you have someone to supervise and support you when you feel ready to have a go yourself. Who is your ‘go to’ for advice and support? Who is your immunisation lead? YOU MUST HAVE A PERIOD OF SUPERVISED PRACTICE AND ASSESSMENT AFTER A COURSE!

•  Enlist some friends, family, and colleagues to help you act out scenarios to check your understanding. There’s nothing like a bit of role play to determine how much you have absorbed! Sometimes we think we know and understand something until we get in practice, meet a challenging situation, and realise we need a bit more education or practice.

•  The same applies for technique. With permission (and careful attention to sharps safety and disposal) take some equipment home and practice with it. Holding syringes, drawing up medication from vials, attaching needles, removing needle sheaths, and so on… (do NOT stab friends and family though!!!) Find out where everything is stored in your clinics too! Is it all in date and organised to your liking?

•  Complete any ELFH modules and competencies relevant to your role (E.G. COVID-19/Influenza for this season). Have you completed other mandatory training such as GDPR, record keeping, consent, safeguarding, chaperoning and infection control?

•  Do you know where your emergency equipment is? Defib? Adrenaline? How do you alert someone for help in an emergency? Is your clinic safe if someone faints? Do you know your incident / near miss reporting procedures? Do you know what to do in the event of a needle stick injury? Find out your local procedures.

•  Make a portfolio of evidence and easy-reference material (see above).

•  Create an organised set of bookmarks on your computer so you have an easy way to refer to the latest information (don’t rely on course slides!). Use the resources on www.alyssclassroom.co.uk to help with this.

•  Ensure you have completed BLS and anaphylaxis training in the last year

•  Put a note in your calendar to enroll on an immunisation update course next year. The recommendation is to have ANNUAL updates if you are practicing in immunisation, however, ensure you have ways to continually stay up to date as things can change fast in vaccine-world!

•  Subscribe to vaccine update - the monthly publication from the government to keep you up to date. Read through some back issues.

•  Read the Green Book chapters for the vaccines you will be administering and the earlier chapters around vaccine administration, consent and the national immunisation programme in general. Study the national protocols too.

•  Check your own vaccination status and ensure you are up to date with ones such as Hepatitis B, Influenza, and MMR.

•  Try the ‘end of course assessment’.

•  Reflect on how your practice could improve uptake. Have those conversations at work with your colleagues and come up with some ways to suggest boosting the uptake in your local area.

•  Once you get in the vaccine clinics, start your supervised practice sign-offs to self-assess and to give to your supervisor for further sign offs. When complete, keep a copy of this document and give a copy to your supervisor for your personnel file.

TO DO LIST FOR AFTER A FOUNDATION IMMUNISATION COURSE

You will no doubt come off a foundation course very overwhelmed with lots of new information. Don’t worry! This is to be expected. Remember this is just the start of your journey. Here is a helpful list of things to do next so you can prepare for your new role:

Dyslexia & neurodiversity in the workplace and on training courses

I'm no expert here but what I DO Know is that life becomes generally harder to navigate when there's a learning difficulty in tow.

I also know that when I was a lecturer in an FE college, the very FIRST thing we did was assess people's needs and make adjustments all over the place to ensure they had a happy educational experience.

THIS priority often comes to a grinding halt once people enter the workplace. Some adults don't even know they have extra needs in the first place. Late or delayed diagnosis is not uncommon. Some people go through their whole lives only to find out much later on that they have been living with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, or ADHD.

Here are some useful practical links if you or a colleague appears to be struggling:

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/ This is how they describe themselves: "The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) is the voice of dyslexic people. We aim to influence government and other institutions to promote a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people of all ages to reach their full potential.". Nice aims!! And some useful info on the website too around learning and workplace adjustments. See https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/how-can-i-support-my-dyslexic-employees/reasonable-adjustments-in-the-workplace

https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/blog/understanding-dyslexia-in-the-workplace/ A very useful bit of information defining 'learning difficulties' and tips for inclusivity in the workplace.

How neurodiversity-friendly is your clinic? Is it time you considered some workplace training for you and your team?

Dyslexia and me: ‘Don’t let your differences stop you’. District nurse Teresa was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult. She shares her strategies for success in work.

Neurodiversity in medical education. Suggested reading:

Hedlund A. (2023) Autistic Nurse: Do they exist? British Journal of Nursing 32 (4) 210-214

Major R. & Tetley J. (2010) Effects of Dyslexia on Registered Nurses in Practice Nurse Education in Practice 35, 7-13

Neurodiversity Guidance (RCN) For Neurodivergent healthcare professionals and healthcare students and their managers, mentors, teams and union reps.

Royal College of Midwives (2024) Neurodivergence Acceptance Toolkit. Royal College of Midwives

White J.F. (2024) Neurodiversity & nursing: Reflection of a final year general nursing student. Nurse Education Today