Whetstone: n: A hard, fine-grained stone for honing tools.

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Why am I on the wait list?  I directly counsel patients about HIV and I need this training.

Applicants are placed into trainings based on their employer and their work tasks.  Because this training is funded by the state HIV/STD Prevention and Care Branch, employees who work for the Branch and local health departments are required to have these trainings, and are therefore given first priority. However, if you work for one of these top priority employers, but do not often directly counsel patients, such as an office manager or case manager, you too may be wait listed.  The next priority is people who do counseling in agencies that receive state funding for HIV counseling and testing.  If we have any spaces  after these people are enrolled, we open it to people that do HIV work in other organizations. 

I haven’t heard from Whetstone at all?  How do I know if I’m in or not?

We strive to contact each person within 10 days of receiving his/her application.  Please ensure you have used a correct email address that you check frequently because this is our primary mode of contact.  We do not routinely make personal calls to applicants.  If you still have not received any response, be sure to check your “spam” or “trash” folders, because it’s possible our email got filtered there.  If it’s been 10 days, and you still cannot find an email from us, please call (828) 236-0910.

I can only attend half of the day…or one of the days...or must leave early.  Can I still attend?

No. This training is designed for two full consecutive days. The timing of the agenda varies from group to group, so it is not possible to make up parts of the training at a later date.  Only those who complete the full two days receive a certificate of completion. If you have a scheduling conflict, please let us know right away so we can remove you from the roster and try to move you to another training.  It is only fair to have each spot filled with somebody who will attend the entire training.

I took this training a few years ago and it was so helpful.  Do I need to retake it?

People who are required by state contract or grant to take the training are not required to retake the training.  However it would be helpful to be in touch with the HIV/STD Branch to be updated on changes in protocol, law and priorities.

Once I complete the course, do I receive my counselor number through Whetstone? 

No. Counselor numbers are used on the form submitted to the state lab and are issued by your agency.

What should I do if I suddenly realize I cannot attend the training?

Please CALL our office (828-236-0910) as soon as possible so we may invite a person from the wait-list to fill your spot. 

What does it cost to attend the training?

The training is free to those who attend because it is funded by the state.  You simply need to apply, be approved to attend, and show up with an open mind, ready to learn.

Can I get an agenda beforehand for the trainings?  My agency requires I fill out paperwork with a clearly stated agenda.

Yes.  Once you have been notified that you are in a specific class, please email info@whetstoneconsultations.com if you need an agenda outlining the topics covered.

If I can’t get into a Whetstone training who else does similar training?

Agencies that are required by the state to send their employees to this training have few options since Whetstone is the sole state contractor.  Because Whetstone has the contract to provide the training to state and state HIV funded agencies, the training is free to attend. 

Whetstone can provide additional trainings for agencies but because it would be outside of the state contract there would be a fee.  We would be happy to talk further about that option.

Other agencies that might provide some form of HIV counselor training are:

• Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) around the state (http://www.ncahec.net/).  Each AHEC site has a calendar of their training subjects and schedules.
• Duke’s HIV training center (http://www.hpolicy.duke.edu/nchtc/about.html)
• The Southeast HIV training Center (http://www.seatec.emory.edu/) of Emory University in Atlanta