NIH offers a wide variety of training opportunities to its scientific staff. Regulations and policies require that all scientific staff take certain specific training courses, as well as others determined by your areas of research. All required courses listed below should be completed within 2 months of your arrival at the NIH.

Required Training Courses (required of all scientific staff)

• Orientation Program (for all new staff)
  
• Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research (This training is required for all staff who have direct and substantive involvement in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting research, or who receive research training.) - promotes the responsible conduct of research and discourages research misconduct and questionable research practices. http://ResearchEthics.od.nih.gov
  
• Introduction to Laboratory Safety (This computer-based training (CBT) is required for all non-administrative staff.) - introduces laboratory personnel to common hazards and exposure risks, including chemical, radiological, and biological hazards.
  
• Laboratory Safety at NIH (Required for all scientific staff, following completion of Introduction to Laboratory Safety.) - provides additional training on the recognition and control of common physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Laboratory Safety Training
  
• Protection of Human Research Subjects (Required for all research staff) - Designed to help IRP investigators understand and comply with the ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements for research involving human subjects.
  
• Technology Transfer Online Training (Computer-based training which is a prerequisite for all staff involved in research) - Provides information about your rights and responsibilities regarding technology transfer.

The following courses may be required depending on type of research being carried out.

• Radiation Safety Course (Required for all staff working with or around radioactive sources.) - provides instruction about radiation hazards and appropriate precautions.
  
• Using Animals in Intramural Research (Required for all staff working with animals.) - provides information on the organizational structure of the NIH Intramural Animal Care and Use Program as well as on current laws, regulations, and guidelines for the care and use of animals in research.
  
• Clinical Research Training (Required for all research staff and for all clinical investigators involved with a protocol.) - introduces the ethical issues involved in human subjects research, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the principal investigator and the institution when conducting clinical research in the NIH intramural research program.
  
• Working Safely with HIV and Other Blood-borne Pathogens (Required for those working with blood-borne pathogens.) - addresses work practices in Biological Safety Levels 2 & 3 laboratories, common methods of blood-borne pathogen exposures, and the use of various controls to help prevent exposure.
  
• Working Safely with Nonhuman Primates (Required for all personnel who are scheduled to begin working with non-human primates (NHP) but have little or no experience.) The primary goal of the training is to provide information about the normal behavior of NHP that will enable personnel to avoid being bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed to pathogens that are transmissible to humans. Consult your IC Animal Program Director or your ACUC for information on presentation dates.
  
• Universal Precautions - The Departments of Labor (OSHA) and HHS require that all health care workers whose jobs entail either patient care or clinical laboratory responsibilities receive training in Universal Precautions (UP) annually. They also recommend that workers with patient contact receive training regarding tuberculosis. Call 496-2209 to schedule training.

Additional courses that are required for most NIH staff. For more information on specific training for your position, contact your immediate supervisor.

• NIH Computer Security Awareness - The Computer Security Act requires that all government personnel and contractors who use computers as part of their official duties must receive training on computer security awareness. This training must be completed within 60 days of your arrival at NIH.
  
• Prevention of Sexual Harassment Training - provides an overview of issues involved in the prevention of sexual harassment on the job.
  
• Disability Awareness Training - provides information about the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all facets of NIH work, activities, and benefits.