Basic Microbiology Laboratory Techniques and Practices

Course Duration: 3 Weeks
Delivery Mode: Blended
Eligibility: Laboratory Assistants, Technicians, Technologists and Scientists
Course Availability: Express interest

Apply

Overview

Uganda’s One Health strategic plan (2018-2022) recognizes that the health of humans, animals and the environment is interlinked and provides a framework for promoting multisectoral collaboration to effectively prevent and control emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and AMR, especially in resource-limited settings like Uganda. This course endeavours to improve capacity and strengthen competencies demanded in microbiology laboratory practice. It is developed with the view of facilitating effective in-service training and follow-up (integrated in a mentorship and supportive supervision system) to support trainees apply acquired competencies. The modular approaches help trainees master the competencies, and progress at their own pace which motivates and facilitates further inquisitive learning.

Specific course objectives

  1. Introduce you to the general principles of microbiology, laboratory safety, ethical principles and quality assurance, and to help you use, care, maintain equipment and manage supplies in the microbiology laboratory.
  2. Introduce you to antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST), classification of antibiotics and their mode of action, how micro-organisms develop resistance, different methods of performing AST and interpretation of results to support patient management and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance.
  3. Equip you with basic skills in proper sample management, staining, culture media preparation and serological assays.
  4. Enhance your knowledge and skills to appropriately perform macroscopic and microscopic specimen examination; culture and identification techniques.

Module 1

Microbiology practice and Quality assurance in district laboratories

Session 1: Introduction to microbiology
Session 2: Microbiology Laboratory biosafety
Session 3: Quality Assurance, Documents and Record systems

Module 2

Management of Microbiology equipment and Supplies

Session1: Operation and management of assorted microbiology equipment
Session2: Procurement and inventory management

Module 3

Routine Microbiology Procedures

Session 1: Collection, handling, transport and receipt of microbiology specimens
Session 2: Staining Techniques in Microbiology
Session 3:Preparation of culture media

Module 4

Microbial Culture and identification techniques

Session 1: Microbial Culture Techniques and isolation
Session 2: Microbial identification Techniques

Module 5

Basic Principles of Antibiotic Resistance (AMR) and Detection of Antibiotic Resistance

Session 1: Classification and properties of antibiotics, mode of action
Session 2: Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance
Session 3: Introduction to Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Methods
Session 4: Quality control in AST

Module 6

Professional ethics in microbiology laboratory practice


Facilitators
Trainers’ description: Trainers will include a team of experts who have demonstrated competence in microbiology techniques and practices and hold certificates of competence awarded by MoH and MAAIF.
eLearning team
Daniel Kibombo, Eilu Michael, Nabende Esther, Simon Kasango, Morgan Otita, Priscilla Atim, Mirembe Violet, Richard Walwema, Lydia Caroline Nalule, Linda Namara

At a glance

Course level
4

Duration
5

Sessions
2

Quizzes
2

Certification
Yes

Pass mark
80%

Apply