Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine (Online) - Medicine

Skin cancer is one of the most common dermatological conditions seen in general practice – and it is not overly complex to manage if you have the right skill set. Due to a lack of dermatologists, general practitioners play a vital role in managing the skin cancer epidemic and providing effective care to patients with skin cancer concerns.

The foundation course in the three-part pathway, the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine is the ideal starting point for medical professionals who wish to build their core knowledge in skin cancer management and acquire vital diagnostic skills and basic management techniques to provide effective care to patients with skin cancer concerns. You will receive an introduction to dermoscopy and learn proven techniques to confidently diagnose skin cancer and perform basic treatments in the primary care setting.

Skin cancer is one of the most common dermatological conditions seen in general practice – and it is not overly complex to manage if you have the right skill set.

• This course is perfect for practitioners with no to little training in skin cancer.
• Learn various techniques allowing basic treatment of skin cancer cases in the primary care setting.
• This course is for physicians, nurse practitioners, and degree-qualified nurses.
• CPD-accredited and university-assured.

Course Benefits

• Diagnose benign and malignant lesions with dermoscopy.
• Manage skin cancer cases in-house and reduce referrals.
• Perform punch and shave biopsies, elliptical excisions, suturing, and topical treatments for various skin cancers.
• Increase clinic revenue by adding skin cancer checks and treatments to your practice.
• Streamline billing and workflow using Medicare guidelines and best practices.

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.

Topic Covered

• Skin anatomy and histology
• Diagnosis with dermoscopy
• Benign and malignant skin lesions
• Melanoma management
• Punch and shave biopsies
• Elliptical excisions
• Suturing techniques
• Dermatopathology
• Topical treatment options
• Workflow and Medicare billing

Course Contents

The Foundations of Skin Cancer Medicine

This course focuses on the foundations relating to skin cancer medicine. Participants will acquire the knowledge required to safely and confidently diagnose and treat commonly encountered skin lesions. It is the ideal starting point to build core knowledge in skin cancer management and acquire vital diagnostic skills and basic management techniques to provide effective care to patients.   

Unit one introduces the foundation information required for skin cancer medicine and outlines the content of the course. Unit two describes the BEST protocol (BEnign or Suspicious Test) and divides lesions into benign or suspicious with guidelines and clinical images of pigmented skin lesions. Benign lesions require no action and suspicious lesions require biopsy or referral. A quiz with clinical and dermoscopic images to select benign or suspicious lesions is provided, with contextual answers as part of this unit.  

Unit three discusses the importance of skin checks and commences with a table dividing assessment of skin cancer risk into three categories: high, medium and low risk and includes patient self-examination and opportunistic skin check. The unit describes how to perform a skin examination and includes lesion history, general medical history, allergies and current medications. The unit includes a video of a systemic total skin examination. Unit four describes partial and complete punch and shave biopsy techniques. The unit concludes with a patient case showing cylindrical portion of skin bearing a dark pigmented surface for which biopsy is recommended. The pathology report is provided as the lesion was partially excised and sent for examination.

An Approach to Pigmented Skin Lesions

This course focuses on the approach to pigmented skin lesions relating to skin cancer medicine. Participants will acquire the knowledge required to safely and confidently diagnose and treat commonly encountered skin lesions. It is the ideal starting point to build core knowledge in skin cancer management and acquire vital diagnostic skills and basic management techniques to provide effective care to patients.  

Unit one discusses common benign lesions including freckles, solar lentigo, seborrheic keratosis, haemangioma, dermatofibroma and blue nevi. Normal and dermoscopic clinical images are provided to demonstrate patterns and assists with analysis. Benign lesions can mimic skin cancers and careful examination is required to decide management steps. The signs of common benign lesions that may be skin cancer are discussed in detail. A medico-legal case is included for a patient where a melanoma was masquerading as a benign lesion.  

Unit two begins with the description of dermoscopy including examples of dermoscopic devices used for this technique. The 3-point checklist consists of asymmetry in colour or structures, atypical network and blue-white structures (white scar-like depigmentation or blue pepper-like, globular or structure-less areas), showing various clinical dermoscopic images of lesions. 

This unit covers dysplastic nevi and melanoma. A table is shown of the relationship between nevus, dysplastic nevus and melanoma and includes a table of relative risk factors for melanoma. Several types of melanomas and treatment options are listed and supported by clinical images. The unit concludes with key points for detecting benign or suspicious lesions.  

An Approach to Non-Pigmented Skin Lesions

This course focuses on the approach to non-pigmented skin lesions relating to skin cancer medicine. Participants will acquire the knowledge required to safely and confidently diagnose and treat commonly encountered skin lesions. It is the ideal starting point to build core knowledge in skin cancer management and acquire vital diagnostic skills and basic management techniques to provide effective care to patients.  

This unit starts with a clinical description of solar keratosis and outlines treatment options including field treatment. Attention is also paid to Bowen’s disease (a very early form of skin cancer), including symptoms, diagnosis (punch biopsy) and treatment. Dermoscopic images of both conditions are provided. 

This unit describes keratocanthoma, a low-grade malignancy that requires a deep incision biopsy, and also discusses squamous cell carcinoma, a common cancer due to chronic, cumulative, sun exposure. Treatment options include surgery, curettage and cautery, referral or radiation therapy. Clinical images of both conditions are provided. 

Unit three describes basal cell carcinoma, the most common human cancer due to intermittent excessive sun exposure. BCC can be classified as non-aggressive (superficial, nodular) or aggressive (sclerosing/infiltrating/ micronodular/multifocal/solid). Clinical images of the different types of basal cell carcinoma, diagnosis and treatment options are included. 

Dermatopathology

This course focuses on dermatopathology relating to skin cancer medicine. Participants will learn about the best approach to pathology requests and how to interpret pathology reports. This unit lists the steps that occur when a skin sample is sent for pathology testing. The course then continues with images of pathology processing of a punch, shave and excision biopsy. The report interpretation is discussed including interobserver agreement, clues to pathologist uncertainty, reconciliation of unexpected results, assessment of margins and errors that occur in dermatopathology.  

Topical Treatments & Medico-Legal for Skin Cancer Medicine

This course focuses on topical treatments options and medico-legal issues relating to skin cancer medicine. Participants will learn about the topical treatments, the (contra-)indications and dose of Imiquimod 5% cream used for treating superficial basal cell carcinomas, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 5% cream used for preventing and treating SCC and Bowen’s disease. A table of topical treatment regimens in primary care for solar keratosis is provided. An extensive list of tips including cost, pre-treatment and patient-education is provided. The unit looks at different treatment options for solar keratosis. Clinical images of lesions at the initial visit, during and after topical treatment are shown.  

Medico-legal tips and resources are listed in unit two. The importance of detailed medical record keeping, follow up and recall systems and patient consent are included. The unit concludes with a medico-legal case of a middle-aged man with a past medical history of non-melanoma skin cancer, the resulting investigation and the problems in how the case was managed that resulted in medico-legal action.  

Preparation for Surgical Treatment *

This course focuses on preparation for surgical treatment relating to skin cancer medicine. Participants will learn the fundamental principles when preparing for and performing skin cancer surgery. The fundamentals include an aseptic approach using sterile equipment, sutures and dressings and emphasizes the importance of clean skin, operator preparation and environment. The unit then looks at local anaesthetics and haemostasis. Equipment for wound closure and sutures are listed including the fundamentals of closing the defect. Recommended suture removal times and the suture techniques, use of prophylactic antibiotics and anticoagulants conclude this unit. 

Unit two describes the punch and shave biopsy and includes video and clinical images of these procedures.

Excision and Repair for Skin Cancer Medicine*

This course focuses on excision and repair relating to skin cancer medicine. Participants will learn the instruments used for wound closure and sutures used for skin closure, including suture technique and removal times. Drawings and description of the simple interrupted suture are discussed, including a recording of this procedure. 

Unit two emphasizes the importance of using an absorbable suture and shows drawings of a conventional buried dermal suture. The unit concludes with a recording of this procedure.

Unit three focuses on the preparation for an elliptical excision, including placement of excisions for the best cosmetic result. It outlines the steps leading to performing the ellipse including surgical marking up. The procedure is described and illustrated by drawings of the incision considering maximal skin tension lines and fusiform excision lines. The unit concludes with a video of this procedure. 

Medicare Billing for Skin Cancer Medicine

This course focuses on medicare billing relating to skin cancer medicine. Participants will learn about the list of billings items and a quick reference card of skin cancer item number guide is discussed. 

Unit two details what is included in each applicable procedural item number and describes the multiple services rules as well as bulk billed fee for a procedure. Billing of punch and shave biopsy are explained as well as non-surgical procedures including cryotherapy (benign or pre-malignant), serial curettage and lesion removal, considering site, size and type. The unit concludes with billing of post operative care and treatment after a procedure.  

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 hours and certificate.

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 practice in various procedures covered in the course under expert guidance.
• Workshops are available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

HealthCert 365

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

• Customize 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 Skin Cancer Medicine Practical Workshop is accredited for 8.5 CPD hours total.

• Education hours: 3.5
• Performance hours: 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 Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine is the ideal starting point for medical professionals who wish to build your core knowledge in skin cancer management and acquire vital diagnostic skills and basic management techniques to provide effective care to patients with skin cancer concerns. Participants will learn proven techniques to independently and confidently diagnose and treat skin lesions in primary care.

This course is for physicians, nurse practitioners, and degree-qualified nurses. It assumes no prior knowledge or training in the field, although HealthCert recommends that participants have some exposure to skin cancer management before enrolling in this course.

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.

Recognized Prior Learning (RPL)

Professionally accredited qualifications and prior studies may be recognised 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 course.

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. 

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 Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine certificate.

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 recognized by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).
• Is recognized by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognizes 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 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 HealthCert FAQs.

Pathways

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the first stage of the three-part professional diploma pathway. The full pathway is Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine, Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine.

RPL with The University of Queensland

The Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine is guaranteed for RPL for the unit IMED7010, part of the Graduate Certificate of Medicine (Skin Cancer) which is the first step in the Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) at The University of Queensland. There are no further requirements for this RPL, it is automatic and guaranteed and provides a saving on fees. View The University of Queensland, Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) program.

RPL with Torrens University

This postgraduate pathway is for General Practitioners and degree-qualified medical practitioners who have successfully completed a HealthCert Professional Diploma (all three levels) in Skin Cancer Medicine, Skin Cancer Surgery or Dermoscopy. The following postgraduate course is offered entirely online through Torrens University: Master of Business Administration (MBA). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for two general electives for any HealthCert Professional Diploma. In cases where a HealthCert alumni has completed two Professional Diplomas, they will be able to apply for four general electives towards the MBA. This will be helpful to further develop business, management and leadership capabilities. Please apply directly to Torrens University.

Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology with the University of Plymouth

The Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology 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 Medicine, Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine 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, medical professionals 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

Doctors participating the Skin Cancer Medicine program can attend a HealthCert Clinical Attachment at a clinic or university teaching hospital to further refine and enhance their professional knowledge. A HealthCert Australian Clinical Attachment is recommended as the first clinical attachment and a HealthCert International Clinical Attachment is recommended for subsequent clinical attachments.