NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION COURSE AND INTEGRATED ORIENTATION AND UPDATES TO RA 9709
I. Rationale
The Newborn Hearing Screening Personnel Certification Course is composed of three components: the Orientation and Updates to RA 9709, a written assessment, and a practical examination. The Newborn Hearing Screening Personnel Certification Course is the basic course for all managers and screeners of Newborn Hearing Screening Centers (Categories A to D). It is required that they pass the course before they become qualified to do hearing screening using otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and/or automated auditory brainstem response (AABR). The participants must attend the Orientation and Updates to RA 9709 course lectures then take a 30-item online exam. Finally, they will demonstrate their skills through a practical exam using their own OAE and/or AABR devices. This aims to ensure standardized training among newborn hearing screening personnel.
All other personnel involved in the diagnostic and intervention services of Newborn Hearing Screening Centers (Categories B to D) are required to complete the Orientation and Updates to RA 9709 only. These personnel may include audiologists, midwives, nurses, general physicians, otorhinolaryngologists, implantable hearing device surgeons, speech pathologists, and pediatricians involved in the management of an infant and/or a child with hearing impairment. The lecture series provides a comprehensive overview of the newborn hearing screening program focused on local stakeholders. Participants shall receive a Certificate of Attendance.
II. Learning Objectives
General Learning Objectives
At the end of the course, participants will be able to perform the responsibilities of a newborn hearing screening personnel or manager in accordance with the manual of operations of RA 9709, otherwise known as the Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009.
Learning Objectives for certification course
- To describe the history and updates in the implementation of the RA 9709.
- To identify the available confirmatory hearing diagnostic tests in the region and the entire country.
- To identify the available interventions and support systems in the region and the entire country.
- To adapt the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program stop criteria in the use of otoacoustic emissions device (OAE) or automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) in newborns.
- To explain to parents or guardians the newborn hearing screening results, the steps needed for early diagnosis, intervention, and its importance in the context of the universal newborn hearing screening and intervention act.
- To demonstrate proper documentation of newborn hearing screening results using the format and platform provided by the Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center.
- To describe the process of PhilHealth claims reimbursement for Newborn Hearing Screening
III. Requirements for Application
Orientation and Updates participants are required to send the following to certifyingcourse.nhsrc@gmail.com :
- Copy of valid PRC ID for physicians
- Copy of any valid ID for Audiologist or speech therapist
- Copy of Master in Audiology diploma for Audiologist
- Copy of Speech Therapy / Pathology diploma for speech therapist
- Copy of Residency and Fellowship Training certificates for Developmental Pediatricians, ENT or ENT Implant Surgeon
- Certificate of good standing from The Philippine Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery for ENT Coordinators and ENT Implant Surgeons
- Certificate of good standing from the Philippine Pediatric Society for Pediatricians
- Certificate or letter of center / health facility affiliation / employment signed by Medical Director / head of facility / owner. Exact address and complete contact information of the health facility must be indicated in the certificate or letter.
The screeners and managers of Newborn Hearing Centers (Categories A to D) will have to pass a written 30- item multiple choice, open notes examination and practical examination with a 20-point rubric for OAE screening, and 18-point rubric for AABR. Examinees are required to bring the hearing screening device (OAE or AABR) they are using or a demo unit from the distributor of the exact model being used in their facility for the practical examination. The device must be fully charged before the course.
Screeners and managers are required to submit the following to certifyingcourse.nhsrc@gmail.com :
- Copy of valid ID indicating date of birth
- Certificate / letter of affiliation / employment or copy of BIR Certificate of Registration if owner / physician
- Accomplished Registration Form
- Proof of registration fee payment
Screener and manager certification is renewed every three years in which they must attend the Orientation and Updates to RA 9709 in order to be recertified.
Screeners and managers for renewal are required to submit the following:
- Copy of valid ID indicating date of birth
- Certificate / letter of affiliation / employment or copy of BIR Certificate of Registration if owner / physician
- Accomplished Registration Form
- Proof of registration fee payment
