General Instructions:

Members of the Research Community are required to complete a series of
training courses. This document outlines these specific training
requirements as they relate to:

1)  All Research Staff

2)  Research Staff involved with Human Subjects Research

3)  Research Staff involved with Animal Research

4)  Research Laboratory Staff

5)  Research Staff working with Ionizing Radiation

6)  Research Committee Members

The VAPHS Research Office requires that all Research Staff satisfy
training requirements within 30 days of hire and, for those trainings
which must be completed on an annual basis, no later than the
anniversary date.

Research staff should provide the VAPHS Research Office with copies of
all certificates of completion.

Questions regarding training can be directed to Shannon Reichel, Program
Support Assistant via email at <Shannon.Reichel@va.gov> or via phone at
412-954-5380.

The following courses are required for all VAPHS Research Staff (whether
paid by VA or Without Compensation- WOC) [on an annual
basis]{.underline}:

-   VA Information Security Awareness

-   VHA Privacy Policy Training

The following course is required for all VAPHS Research Staff (whether
paid by VA or Without Compensation- WOC[) within 30 days of hire. It
does not need to be repeated annually]{.underline}.

-   Information Security 201 for Research and Development Personnel

Course information can be accessed at
[https://www.lms.gov](https://www.lms.gov/) . All VA employees must
complete the training using the
[https://www.lms.gov](https://www.lms.gov/) website. Those WOC employees
without an LMS account, may complete the training at
[https://www.ees-learning.net](https://www.ees-learning.net/)

Certificates of Completion should be forwarded to the Research Office
(mail code 151 U-H; fax 412-954-5383)

All members of the VAPHS Research Community involved in human subjects'
research including but not limited to: investigators, research
coordinators, research assistants, members of the Research Office, the
R&D Committee, Research Compliance Officers, VAPHS IRB Administrative
Staff, and VAPHS IRB Committee Members must complete the following
training p[rior to beginning work with Human Subjects and annually
thereafter]{.underline}:

-   Ethical Principals of Human Subjects Protection

-   Good Clinical Practice

**NOTE: Research Staff who are based at an outside institution and who
do not come to the VAPHS or directly interact with VA research
participants are exempt from this requirement.**

Course information can be accessed at
[http://www.citiprogram.org](http://www.citiprogram.org/)

Certificates of Completion should be forwarded to the Research Office
(mail code 151 U-H; fax 412-954-5383)

**In addition to the required courses listed above, Research Staff may
be required to complete other courses depending upon the nature of the
work they perform. See below for additional instructions:**

-   Research staff working with human blood, body fluids, tissues, or
    cells must complete the Introduction to Bloodborne Pathogens
    training on an annual basis.

    -   Course available at:
        [[http://www.readingmatrix.com/quizmaker/classes/?id=1843]{.underline}](http://www.readingmatrix.com/quizmaker/classes/?id=1843)

    -   This course does not provide a certificate of completion. Please
        contact Elizabeth Toth in the Research Office at
        <Elizabeth.Toth@va.gov> when training is complete.

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-   Research staff shipping biological hazards must also complete the
    Safe-T-Pak training every two years (Contact the Research Office for
    access to this training)

The specific courses required related to animal research are dependent
upon the role of the staff member and the particular type of animal
research being conducted. Please see below for additional details.
Animal trainings must be completed prior to beginning work with animals
and annually thereafter. **EFFECTIVE 10/1/2008 THE VAPHS WILL NO LONGER
ACCEPT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH TRAINING.**

> **[Requirements for Individuals who utilize laboratory animals for
> research, training, or teaching in any of settings
> below:]{.underline}**

-   **Conduct or supervise use of animals on VA property**

-   **Conduct or supervise use of animals purchased with VA funds;**

-   **Conduct or supervise use of animals while on a VA tour of duty but
    not on VA property**

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-   Working with the VA IACUC

-   Course information can be accessed at
    [http://www.citiprogram.org](http://www.citiprogram.org/)

-   Certificates of Completion should be forwarded to the Research
    Office (mail code 151 U-H; fax 412-954-5383)

**[Additional Training Requirements for Animal Investigators and
Staff]{.underline}**

-   These courses are dependent upon the animal population with which
    the investigator or staff member works (See table for specific
    information).

-   Course information can be accessed at
    [http://www.citiprogram.org](http://www.citiprogram.org/)

-   Certificates of Completion should be forwarded to the Research
    Office (mail code 151 U-H; fax 412-954-5383)

+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| **ANIMAL            | **COURSE**                                     |
| POPULATION**        |                                                |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Mouse               | Working with Mice in Research                  |
|                     | Settings/Post-Procedural                       |
|                     |                                                |
|                     | Care of Rodents                                |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Rat                 | Working with Rats in Research                  |
|                     | Settings/Post-Procedural                       |
|                     |                                                |
|                     | Care of Rodents                                |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Hamster             | Working with Hamsters in Research Settings     |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Gerbil              | Working with Gerbils in Research Settings      |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Guinea Pig          | Working with Guinea Pigs in Research Settings  |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Rabbit              | Working with Rabbits in Research Settings      |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Cat                 | Working with Cats in Research Settings         |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Dog                 | Working with Dogs in Research Settings         |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Swine               | Working with Swine in Research Settings        |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Nonhuman primate    | Working with Nonhuman Primates in Research     |
|                     | Settings                                       |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Amphibian           | Working with Amphibians in Research Settings   |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+

All new VA and WOC research laboratory staff are required to complete
the following trainings:

-   Introduction to VA Biosecurity Concepts

    -   Course must be completed within 30 days of hire.

    -   Available at
        [http://www.citiprogram.org](http://www.citiprogram.org/)

    -   Certificate of Completion should be forwarded to the Research
        Office (mail code 151 U-H; fax 412-954-5383)

-   VAPHS The Research Lab Safety Course

    -   Course must be completed within 30 days of hire and annually
        thereafter

    -   Available at
        <http://www.readingmatrix.com/quizmaker/?fuseaction=getdata.&id=2050&child=Class>

    -   This course does not provide a certificate of completion. Please
        contact Elizabeth Toth in the Research Office at
        <Elizabeth.Toth@va.gov> when training is complete.

Any research staff member working with ionizing radiation must complete
the following training module:

-   VAPHS Research Radiation Safety Training

    -   Course must be completed on an annual basis

    -   Available at
        <http://www.vaphs.research.med.va.gov/pages/subpages/radiatio_safety/radiation_training/radiation_training_files/frame.htm>

    -   Certificate of Completion should be forwarded to the Research
        Office (mail code 151 U-H; fax 412-954-5383)

In addition to the training modules described above (see Requirements
for all Research Staff), additional requirements apply to those
individuals serving on Research Committees (e.g., R&D, IRB, IACUC). All
courses must be completed annually. Please see below for the specific
additional requirements:

> **[Additional Requirements for Members of the Research and Development
> (R&D) Committee]{.underline}**

-   Ethical Principals of Human Subjects Protection

-   Good Clinical Practice

-   Course information can be accessed at
    [http://www.citiprogram.org](http://www.citiprogram.org/)

-   Certificates of Completion should be forwarded to the Research
    Office (mail code 151 U-H; fax 412-954-5383)

> **[Additional Requirements for Members of the Institutional Review
> Board (IRB)]{.underline}**

-   Ethical Principals of Human Subjects Protection (available at
    [http://www.citiprogram.org](http://www.citiprogram.org/))

-   Good Clinical Practice ( available at
    [http://www.citiprogram.org](http://www.citiprogram.org/))

-   FederalWide Assurance (FWA) Training (available at
    <http://ohrp-ed.od.nih.gov/CBTs/Assurance/login.asp>)

-   Certificates of Completion should be forwarded to the Research
    Office (mail code 151 U-H; fax 412-954-5383)

> **[Additional Requirements for Members of the Institutional Animal
> Care and Use Committee (IACUC)]{.underline}**

-   Essentials for IACUC Members

-   Course information can be accessed at
    [http://www.citiprogram.org](http://www.citiprogram.org/)

-   Certificates of Completion should be forwarded to the Research
    Office (mail code 151 U-H; fax 412-954-5382)