FAQs

The Sylvie Ratelle STD/HIV Prevention Training Center (Ratelle PTC) is part of a CDC-funded network that provides cutting-edge training to practicing clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of STDs and the prevention of HIV. The Ratelle PTC provides training to clinicians in the states of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Our course offerings provide opportunities for didactic and experiential training in different formats for the busy health care professional. Whether you are a brand new clinician in practice, or a seasoned professional looking to brush up on your STD diagnosis and treatment skills, the Ratelle PTC offers training to meet your needs and schedule.

The STI Clinical Intensive Course features 2 days of in-person training that includes CDC 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines review, case review, concepts of Motivational Interviewing and disease reporting in Massachusetts. We are able to offer 1/2 day of clinical shadowing in the Sexual Health Clinic at MGH as part of this course.

We offer in person Brightfeild Microscopy/Wet Mount Laboratory workshops throughout the calendar year.

The Advanced STI/HIV Clinical Intensive Course for Fellows is a 4 day in-person course designed for Infectious Disease and other Fellows. Content includes 4 days of didactics/case discussions with expert faculty from public health, clinical practice and academia. We include a ½ day of optional Wet Mount Laboratory training with experts in dark-field and brightfield microscopy as well as an optional opportunity to shadow the staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Health Clinic.

All courses are FREE including materials and CME/CEU credits (if offered).

Our target audience is healthcare professionals (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, nurses) in public or private practice who examine and treat individuals at risk for STIs/HIV. Applicants may include clinicians who work in family planning, adolescent health, womens health, primary care, urgent care, or community health centers.

The registration process is easy.  Simply go to ratellePTC.org, select a course from those listed and press the "Apply Now" button.  You will be asked to create a profile and once that is done you will have completed the on-line registration process. 

No. All applications are carefully considered. However, due to the high volume of applicants, we cannot accept all individuals who apply.

Please do not request time off from work, clear your clinic schedules, or do other related tasks until you have received email from the Course Coordinator confirming that you have a training slot.

If you are accepted to a course, you will receive notification by email from the Program Coordinator approximately 4-6 weeks prior to the course.

Some courses offer CME/CEU. Read the course description carefully to see if your selection is one of them.