Program objective

The Spirometry training program provides clinicians with the skills, knowledge and specific competencies required to perform spirometry to international standards and Queensland Health guidelines. Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• explain the purpose of spirometry testing
• identify the contraindications to spirometry testing
• conduct spirometry testing with adults and children to international standards and local guidelines
• produce acceptable and repeatable results and recognise inaccurate test performances
• interpret spirometry test results
• implement quality assurance processes to ensure the accuracy of spirometry tests.

The program prepares participants for a range of roles including working with adults and children, in tertiary healthcare facilities, community and rural health, outreach services, private practice specialist respiratory services, general practice, pathology services and research.

Dates and locations

Program structure

The Spirometry training program is comprised of:

• online education—covering five modules
• a one day practical skills workshop
• a workplace portfolio assessment.

Successful completion of all components is required to attain a certificate of completion.

Online spirometry education

The online education is comprised of five self- paced modules that cover the background knowledge required for spirometry practice. Completion of the online modules should take approximately 4–6 hours and must be completed no more than three months prior to attending the workshop.

Successful completion of the online education is a pre-requisite for attendance in the practical skills workshop.

Practical skills workshop

The one day practical skills workshop will enable clinicians to develop and demonstrate competency in conducting a spirometry test, interpreting results and ensuring quality control of spirometry equipment and processes.

Workplace portfolio assessment

To assist in the transfer of skills into the workplace, the practical skills workshop includes the completion of a workplace portfolio assessment—to be completed in the workplace or as negotiated with the workshop assessor.

The portfolio requires at least 10 spirometry tests, including calibration reports, to be submitted. The completed portfolio must be received by the workshop trainer no more than two months after attending the workshop.

The workshop trainer will provide ongoing support towards the completion of this assessment.

Currency of practice

Queensland Health is committed to high quality spirometry practice and requires currency of practice to be demonstrated regularly and is dependent on the industry in which it is performed.

Currency of practice can be shown through attendance at professional development activities—for example, a spirometry refresher course, observation by an approved assessor in a respiratory laboratory, observation by an approved assessor in the workplace or other means, as negotiated with an approved assessor.

Course resources

Access to the online education modules will be arranged after enrollment and payment of course fees. All other learning and assessment guides and resources will be supplied at the practical skills workshop.

Course fees

Fees for the training program are:

• $250.00 for Queensland Health staff
• $495.00 for non Queensland Health staff (inclusive of GST)

This includes online education modules, practical skills workshop (with catering) and all associated resources and assessments.