Overview
Surgery is still considered the most effective and definitive skin cancer treatment. The Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery is ideal for acquiring and honing various surgical techniques, including how to perform large elliptical excisions and different types of flaps and grafts. This will allow you to manage more complex skin cancer cases in your practice.
This course is the first part of the three-part Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery. The education pathway is Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery (online course components + practical workshop) or Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery Principles (online course components only), Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery.
Course Contents
The course provides advanced learning in skin cancer surgery and teaches various techniques allowing GPs to treat more complex cases in the primary care setting. Course participants can choose to complete the course entirely online or with an optional practical workshop.
Surgical anatomy and skin lines
- Local anaesthetic blocks
- Large elliptical excisions*
- Advanced suturing techniques*
- Rotation flaps*
- Advancement flaps*
- Full-thickness grafts*
- Dog ear repairs*
- Wound care and various dressings
Course Benefits
- Perfect your elliptical excisions and suturing techniques for accurate removal of lesions and closure of wounds.
- Administer local anaesthesia effectively and ensure patient comfort during procedures.
- Understand the principles of flaps and grafts to perform surgeries in sensitive areas.
- Learn about pivotal, rhomboid, and advancement flaps as part of your surgical options.
- Reduce post-operative complications and promote healing through effective wound care.
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.
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 Professional 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 practice in various procedures covered in the course under expert guidance.
- Workshops are available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
- Receive the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery.
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.
Entry Requirements
The Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery is ideal for doctors wishing to learn important surgical techniques in the management of skin cancer to provide effective treatments to patients in the primary care setting, without the need for referral to specialists. Participants can expect an interactive, hands-on program with immediate applicability and the confidence to surgically treat skin lesions in your practice.
The course is suitable for Medical Doctors and International Medical Graduates. HealthCert recommends that participants have some exposure to or previous training in 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.
Course Outline
Module 1 – Theory, Anatomy and Principles of Skin Cancer Surgery
This module introduces the theory and anatomical considerations relating to basic skin cancer surgery. It outlines the clinical requirements including how to set up the procedure room, the instruments and other equipment and supplies. The module incorporates skin anatomy and skin tension lines when considering the position and direction of an ellipse. The principles of, and how to do an ellipse are covered including undermining, haemostasis, suturing, dressings and aftercare. The suturing section incorporates the various types of sutures and needles. Skin anatomy and significant nerves are discussing including symptoms of damaged nerves. The later part of the module covers the importance of taking photos, procedural notes and patient consent.
Module 2 – Suturing, Perfecting the Ellipse and Local Anaesthetic
This module builds on the foundation knowledge taught in module one. This includes essential skills in knot tying, administering local anaesthetic, the role of diathermy/electrosurgery, surgical margins, instruments and surgery preparation. It then goes through the planning and design of an ellipse that includes cleaning the pork belly, loading a scalpel blade, marking out, excising and undermining an ellipse. The various common sutures are demonstrated including interrupted, deep, vertical mattress, horizontal mattress, pulley, marini and running sutures. Descriptions are provided on what each suture option is used for to determine the best sutures for closing a particular wound.
Module 3 – Skin Grafting and the Principles of Flaps
This module introduces the skin graft technique, explains the difference between full thickness and split skin grafts, how they work and the stages of graft survival. The rationale for choosing the most appropriate skin graft when performing skin cancer surgery is outlined. The modules takes a step by step approach from excising the tumour to harvesting and closing the donor tissue site. Suitable techniques for suturing the donor tissue into the defect are discussed. Surgery preparation including patient considerations and maximizing the wound environment for skin healing. The module includes a practical demonstration on the practical implementation of planning skin grafts using pork belly. It includes how to plan skin grafts based on the size of the defects, the donor area and preserving tissue during the procedure. Depending on the type of lesion, information is provided on when to perform a skin graft as opposed to wedge excision on the ear.
Module 4 – Pivotal (rotation) Flaps
This module focusses on pivotal flaps, the theory, principles and then practical demonstrations on pork belly. The fundamentals are discussed including what is a skin flap, options for closure and aesthetic considerations. Potential complications are outlined. In the practical planning section, the design of rotation flaps including graphical images, assists with the planning of rotation flaps. The primary movement is for the flap to rotate into the defect with a leading edge, whilst the secondary movement is the arc defect resulting as an effect of the primary intention. With rotation flaps, dog ears are likely and techniques to remove dog ears are included. Degrees of rotation limitations are mentioned. Both schematic and clinical images assist with understanding rotation flap principles. Information on suture approach and placement are outlined for the rotation flap defect. Clinical cases are featured throughout the module.
Module 5 – Rhombus (rhomboid) Flaps
This module focusses on rhomboid flaps and opens with theory of this transposition flap, the principles and then practical demonstrations on pork belly. The fundamentals are discussed including what is a skin flap, options for closure and aesthetic considerations. The importance of appropriate undermining is detailed. Careful patient evaluation, design planning and skilful meticulous technique are critical in minimizing complications. In the practical planning section, the schematics of rhomboid flaps including graphical images, assists with the planning of rhomboid flaps. The primary movement is the transposing of the flap tissue over and into the defect, whilst the secondary movement is the donor or adjacent tissue defect created as a result of the primary transposition. With rhomboid flaps, dog ears are likely and techniques to remove dog ears are included. Both schematic and clinical images assist with understanding rhomboid flap principles. Information on suture approach and placement are outlined for the rhomboid flap defect. Modified rhomboid flaps are introduced.
Module 6 – Advancement Flaps
This module focusses on advancement flaps and variations of the advancement flap including single and helical advancement, A-T, H-plasty and lateral advancement. Selecting the type of flap depends on the location of the defect and optimising aesthetic outcomes. Clinical case images demonstrate the marking out and planning of advancement flaps considering skin tension lines and then closing the wound. Unit two discusses the mathematic rules applied to advancement flaps. It includes practical demonstrations of advancement flaps using pork belly including undermining and outlining the suturing approach. Several advancement flap variants are also demonstrated on pork belly.
Module 7 – Wound Care and Managing Complications
The module commences with understanding the phases of wound healing and how this relates to skin cancer surgery procedures. The various types of wound dressings are outlined including what dressings are used for a particular type of wound. Information on the use of antibiotic medications, movement whilst wounds are healing and considerations of when to remove sutures are outlined. Resources that can be applied for clinical use are provided. Unit two outlines what to do to manage complications that may occur. These include bleeding, haematoma, dehiscence, infection, splitting sutures, hypertrophic and keloid scarring and hypergranulation. Unit three introduces Mohs surgery, explains its application for pathology and its relevance to skin cancer surgery. Unit four discusses Medicare Australia and remuneration for skin cancer surgery procedures. Unit 5 outlines the medico legal considerations in Australia and the role of medical insurance.
Module 8 – Case Studies
This module is an interactive opportunity to receive expert feedback on planning skin cancer surgery. A recording is presented for each of the six case studies describing the patient and the lesion that requires skin cancer surgery. Participants are asked to draw their surgery plans for each case including margins, and consider specific issues that may relate to that surgery or suggest other treatment options. A template guide is provided for each case.
The Course Includes
Pre-reading activities, an optional practical workshop with expert demonstrations and practical hands-on activities, interactive live web tutorials and further readings, individual assessment tasks, and two online examinations.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive the HealthCert Professional Certificate and accredited CPD hours. Please refer to our website for details.
Providers Terms
Course Transfers
Face to Face Courses
Course transfers for Face to Face practical workshops are available, subject to requests being received, in writing, a minimum of 10 business days prior to workshop commencement. Transfer requests received after 10 business days prior to workshop commencement will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Transfers will be subject to availability in the future workshops. If the future workshop has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the transfer request.
One workshop transfer, per course is allowed. Further transfers will be considered upon application and may be charged at 25% of a full new workshop booking rate.
Online Courses
Transfers for Online courses are available subject to requests being received, in writing, within 7 days of enrolment. Transfer requests received after the 7 days post enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $200. One course transfer request, per course is allowed.
If the future course being transferred to, has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the course transfer request.
Online Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellation and a full refund of the course fees will be provided if a request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250. Upon cancellation and full refund of the course enrolment, you will not receive a certificate or accreditation points.
Bundle Courses
Courses purchased as part of a bundle attract a discount. This discount is apportioned to the final course in the bundle in the cases of cancellations and refunds. Therefore, cancellation and refund requests of a course that have been purchased as part of a bundle are refunded based on the first and/or second course being charged at the full price rate. Any courses remaining in the bundle can be refunded provided the request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Tickets:
Online CoursesSold OutOptional WorkshopsClosedOnline + WorkshopClosed| Contact Hours: | 7.0 hrs |
| Start Time: | Sat, 13 April 2024 , 8:45 AM |
| Finish Time: | Sat, 13 April 2024 , 4:45 PM |
| Duration: | Full Day |
| Format: | Hands-on |
| Language: | English |
| Venue: | Cliftons Sydney Margaret Street |
Address: | 13/60 Margaret St, |
| Provider: | HealthCert Education |
| Enquiries: |
Speaker(s):
 | Dr. Tony DickerMBBS, PhD, Senior lecturer (Skin Cancer) & Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer), The University of Queensland |
Dr Tony Dicker has practised full-time Skin Cancer Medicine in Melbourne since 2004, and previously practised in Brisbane. He obtained his PhD from The University of Queensland in molecular biology of skin cancer with Professor Ian Frazer's group at Princess Alexandra Hospital. He then spent three years as a dermatology registrar at the Royal Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospitals.
 | Dr. Francis TanMBBS, MMed (Skin Cancer), Certificate in Advanced Dermoscopy & Digital Imaging, The University of Queensland Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Coorparoo |
Dr Francis Tan graduated from The University of New South Wales in 1986. He worked in a variety of general practice surgeries throughout Australia, including clinics in Sydney, Tweed Heads, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cairns. He now practises at the Coorparoo Skin Cancer Centre in Brisbane.
Francis obtained a Masters of Medicine from The University of Queensland in 2014 and holds an impressive portfolio of university-certified Professional Diplomas in Skin Cancer Medicine and related fields. He is particularly interested in using dermatoscopy to detect melanoma in situ and performing skin cancer surgery to the best of his ability for the benefit of his patients.
