Advanced Certificate Skin Cancer Surgery (Perth) - Nursing

Surgery is still considered the most effective skin cancer treatment. With limited access to surgeons and yearlong waiting lists at public hospitals, patients depend on skilled general practitioners who can offer an immediate solution to their concerns.

The intermediate course in the three-part pathway, the Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery is ideal for medical professionals with a special interest in skin cancer and who wish to treat more complex skin cancer cases. You will learn and hone surgical techniques applicable to cases commonly seen in primary care to provide your patients with optimal scarring results, including in anatomically complex and cosmetically sensitive areas. You can expect to reduce your referral rates as you gain invaluable experience that enables you to do more skin related surgery in day-to-day work. The optional practical workshop and interactive web tutorials are led by noted skin cancer doctors and a team of experienced GPs to assist you in developing your skills.

Topic Covered

• Anatomy of the head, neck, face, and limbs
• Advancement flaps and rhomboid flaps on the face, upper lip and lateral nose
• Rotational flaps in closure of scalp, cheek and distal limb defects
• Full-thickness and split-thickness grafts on the face and lower limb defects
• Closure of ear defects with flaps, grafts and wedges
• Closure techniques to minimize scarring

Learn how to surgically remove skin cancers from anatomically complex areas with optimal scarring results.

Learn a variety of flaps, grafts, and wedges for closure of defects on the head, neck, face, and upper and lower limbs.

• This course is perfect for advanced practitioners with prior training and experience.
• Learn a variety of surgical techniques to treat complex skin cancer cases in the primary care setting.
• This course is for medical doctors and International Medical Graduates.
• CPD-accredited and university-assured.

Course Benefits

• Perfect your skills in elliptical excisions and various suturing techniques.
• Manage more complex cases with advancement flaps, rotation flaps, grafts, and rhomboid flaps.
• Master wound closure and reduce scarring with banner flaps and wedges of the ear.
• Confidently perform a variety of surgical procedures in-house and reduce referrals.
• Benefit from tips and tricks of experienced surgeons to perform procedures more efficiently.

Get unlimited access to all course content, additional learning materials, ongoing post-course support, and more.

*These topics are covered during the hands-on practical sessions in the optional skills workshop.

Course Contents

Ellipses and Suture Techniques Revisited*

This module builds on the knowledge from the professional certificate and goes into further detail about defects, resting skin tension lines (RSTL) and excision, then looks at the closure and cosmetic considerations. Guides are included with the mathematical ratios.

Detailed information including schematics are provided for ellipses and variants of the standard ellipse. An overview of the vessels and nerves is presented in addition to the clinical considerations of RSTL.

Knot tying and suture techniques are reinforced and selecting the appropriate technique for closure are outlined. Detailed images of the different suture techniques are provided and then demonstrated on pork belly.

Advancement Flaps 2*

This module focusses on advancement flaps. Flaps require loose surrounding tissue to be successful. The principles, classification and types of skin flap surgery are outlined. Advancement flaps included are the ellipse, S-plasty, A-L, A-T, single and double advancement, modified H-flap and A-A-Z flap.

Each of these flaps is covered in detail including detailed schematics to assist with understanding the concepts. Each version of the advancement flap includes guides for RSTL and clinical images showing surgical planning for advancement flaps on the face. Recordings of planning and performing advancement flaps in both the clinical setting and on pork parts are included.

Rotation Flaps*

This module revises and builds on the rotation flaps introduction in the professional certificate. It commences with an overview of scalp defect closures and planning rotation flaps including images that describe the mathematic planning of rotation flaps including the size of the flap arc.

Clinical case examples are presented with planning and after surgery pictures to demonstrate best practice with the surgery and aesthetic outcomes. The traditional rotation and the O-Z flaps are described in detail.

Anatomical positions suitable for the rotation flap including the scalp, medial and lateral cheek, pre-auricular, temple and chin are included in this module. Recordings of planning and performing rotation flaps in both the clinical setting and on pork parts concludes this module.

Grafts*

Again, this module builds on the learning from the professional certificate. It begins with detail about defects, resting skin tension lines (RSTL) and excision, then summarizes the full thickness (FTSG) and split skin (SSG) grafts and the considerations to using these grafts for skin cancer surgery. Graft revasculation is covered.

Graft recipient and donor sites are outlined including visual images to demonstrate suitable areas. Selection of sites is critical to maximizing successful outcomes.

The module teaches techniques and wound care of both the donor and recipient sites and describes how and why grafts can go wrong. Clinical images of surgical planning for grafts are included.

The halo variant of the split skin graft is featured including the technique, advantages, graphics and clinical images. Recordings of defatting and the planning and performing advancement flaps in both the clinical setting and on pork parts are included.

Rhomboid Flaps 2*

This module focusses on rhomboid flaps and opens with the Limburg flap, the easiest of the rhombic flaps. It describes identifying the defect then planning the surgery from the defect.

There are only four flap variants of the rhomboid flap however choices of design are apparent when planning is based from the donor site to maximise the success of the surgery.

Images of planning and designing a flap and the mathematics that support various rhomboid flaps are featured. Clinical images are featured to support the teaching and recordings in both the clinical setting and on pork parts are included.

Banner Flaps 1*

Banner flaps are a form of transposition flap or rhomboid flap. It rotates about a pivot point however differs in its design from the rhomboid flap. Images of planning and designing a flap and the mathematics that support various rhomboid flaps are featured.

Associated problems and tips to successfully complete a banner flap are discussed. Clinical images are featured to support the teaching and a clinical recording of the banner flap to the ear is included.

Wedges of the Ear*

Wedges on the ear are the focus of this module. Ear subunits are detailed as an awareness of these is essential for successful surgery. Practical information and techniques are included when planning an ear wedge together with suggested sutures.

Clinical images are featured to support the teaching and a clinical recording of the wedge procedure to the ear is included.

Tips and Tricks

This module summarizes the tips and tricks linked to the procedures taught in this course to maximize skin cancer surgery outcomes. These tips and tricks offer helpful information when planning skin cancer surgery.

The module commences with images of the cosmetic subunits, as where possible, skin cancer surgery procedures should remain in the same or adjacent subunits to maximize the best cosmetic healing. Clinical and graphical images are featured to support the teaching. Options for ear repairs are listed.

The module stresses the importance of patient history and how some patient conditions may impact skin cancer surgery procedures. Tips include how to set the ambience to relax both the doctor and patient and the importance of keeping comprehensive patient records including photos.

Local anaesthetic, syringes/needle size and scar care are mentioned. Sutures are covered including what sutures to use for what wounds. Planning skin cancer surgery on dual lesions, rhomboid, flaps and grafts are also summarized. Points of skin cancer surgery wisdom are listed along with anticoagulation issues.

Study Modes

100% Online

Study at your own pace and to your own schedule.

• View and replay video lectures at your convenience.
• Participate in online case discussions with your peers.
• Attend or watch recordings of live tutorials with experts in this field.
• Complete your assessment online and receive your CPD points.
• Receive the Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery Principles.

Online + Workshop

Complete your course online and receive all the benefits of online study, then put theory into practice at a small-group workshop.

• Gain hands-on practise in various procedures covered in the course under expert guidance.
• Workshops are available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
• Receive the Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery.

HealthCert 365

Easily meet your CPD requirements and gain valuable skills – all in one place for $83 per month.

• Customise your learning experience by accessing and focusing only on course modules that interest you the most.
• Gain access to 200+ additional CPD activities and 50-hour special focus CPD programs, sourced from all HealthCert university-assured programs.

Workshop CPD hours

The optional Advanced Skin Cancer Surgery Practical Workshop is accredited for 8.5 CPD hours total.

• Education hours: 1
• Performance hours: 7.5

Outcome Measurement

Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of our professional and advanced certificates. You may use an optional HealthCert outcome measurement activity or develop your own.

HealthCert provides several options to meet your outcome measurement hours requirement. These options are self-submitted activities and hours may vary depending on your focus area.

• Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) options on a specific topic.
• Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) on your identified area. A generic template is provided.
• Outcome Improvement Activity relating to specific topics within the course.

The purpose of outcome measurement activities is to improve your clinical confidence in managing an identified learning gap. The outcome improvement activities are designed to examine current clinical care, align clinical practice with best practice standards and identify opportunities for improvement.

Pre- and Post-Course Information

Entry Requirements

The Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery is ideal for doctors with a special interest in skin cancer medicine and who wish to treat more complex skin cancer cases. Participants can expect to reduce their referral rates as they gain invaluable experience that enables them to do more skin-related surgery in day-to-day work.

The course is suitable for Medical Doctors and International Medical Graduates. Participants must have completed the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery (or a qualification deemed equivalent). It is recommended that 100 cases of skin cancer surgery have been completed before enrolling in the Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery.

Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing in English is assumed.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Professionally accredited qualifications and prior studies may be recognized for entry into this course. Please send an email to [email protected] for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience. This email should contain information about your educational history and work experience that specifically pertain to the content and procedures covered in the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery. Please include any applicable certificates and course outlines from previous education. The relevant Course Chair will make a determination on your application within two to three weeks.

Recognition of Prior Learning is granted for those who have completed the RACGP Certificate of Primary Care Dermatology DermCert4 and face-to-face workshop.

Certification

This certificate course meets the minimum 50 hours CPD annual requirement across all three mandatory CPD activity types, provided an outcome measurement activity with a minimum of five hours is completed. You may use an optional HealthCert outcome measurement activity or develop your own.

Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of Professional or Advanced Certificates.

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery certificate.

Participants who choose to complete the online course components only will receive the Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery Principles.

This certificate course:

• Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
• Qualifies for CPD hours from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
• Is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).
• Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses
• endorsed by the RACGP. Points are calculated differently.
• Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD hours must be stated on the certificate. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
• Is a self-submitted activity in the UK. CPD events overseas, applicable to a doctor’s scope of practice, may be submitted for revalidation. Please confirm with your Responsible Officer.
• Is a self-submitted activity in Canada through the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Contact [email protected] for more information.
• Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
• Has been approved for two days of the Training Grant for Rural and Remote Procedural GPs Program (Procedural Grant Program).
• Qualifies for a Skin Cancer Surgery Clinical Attachment in France at the University of Lyon.
• Qualifies for a Skin Cancer Surgery Clinical Attachment in Austria at the University of Vienna.
• Has been independently developed with subject experts and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit HealtCert's FAQs.

Pathways

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the second stage of the Professional Diploma pathway. The full pathway is Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery, Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery.

RPL with The University of Queensland

Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer)

Doctors who complete the HealthCert Professional Diploma programs in Dermoscopy, Skin Cancer Medicine, and Skin Cancer Surgery will receive RPL for the units IMED7002 and IMED7011, which are high-level subjects in the Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) at The University of Queensland. The Master of Medicine is open only to registered medical practitioners with at least two years' postgraduate experience. IMED7002 is also a part of the Graduate Certificate Medicine (Skin Cancer); if a student (with two years' postgraduate clinical experience) who isn’t a registered medical practitioner has completed the HealthCert Dermoscopy pathway and the UQ units IMED7001, IMED7003 and IMED7010, they can receive the Graduate Certificate. View The University of Queensland Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) program.

Postgraduate Pathway with the University of Plymouth

The Postgraduate Diploma in Minor Surgery is studied through the Rila Institute of Health Sciences and awarded by the University of Plymouth (UK).

There are three modules in the Postgraduate Diploma. Medical professionals who successfully complete the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery, Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery will be eligible to apply for Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning (APCL) for module 3.

The Postgraduate Diploma is mainly delivered online. No practical workshops will be required due to the APCL from the HealthCert qualifications. Overall there will be a time saving of 40 per cent of the postgraduate program due to the APCL. Exams will be held in Perth, Western Australia.

When the Postgraduate Diploma has been successfully completed, doctors can apply for credit from the Postgraduate Diploma to the Master of Science in the Specialism awarded by the University of Plymouth.

Certified Clinical Attachments Pathway

Clinical attachments are optional and available on a 1:1 or small group basis. These provide the opportunity to observe skin cancer surgery and ask questions of the expert performing the procedures. In addition to clinical attachments in Australia, university teaching hospitals at the University of Lyon and the University of Vienna are available for clinical attachments. HealthCert certificates and university statements are awarded for participating in clinical attachments.

The dominant areas of study covered by The Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 are science and medicine. Attached to the university are the "Hospices civils de Lyon" including the "Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud", which is the largest teaching hospital in the Rhône-Alpes region and second largest in France. Out of the 2,630 faculty, 700 are also medical practitioners at local teaching hospitals.

The Medical University of Vienna is the largest medical organisation in Austria, as well as one of the top-level research institutions in Europe and provides Europe's largest hospital, the Vienna General Hospital, with all of its medical staff. The Vienna General Hospital has about 100,000 patients treated as inpatients and 605,000 treated as outpatients each year.