COURSE OVERVIEW

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 certificate course has been specifically designed for time-poor general practitioners wishing to acquire the knowledge required to safely and confidently diagnose and treat commonly encountered skin lesions.

The certificate course is now delivered in two formats:

1. One-day practical course + online theoretical component: Complete the theoretical course component at your convenience online and attend a one-day practical workshop with skills practice under supervision on a Saturday or Sunday in one of the four locations across Australia. 
2. Entirely online: Receive instant access to the course contents online and complete all lectures and online activities online with independent skills practice at your office/home. 

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

Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine

Entry Requirements and course requisites

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. Participants will learn proven techniques to independently and confidently diagnose and treat skin lesions in primary care. The course is suitable for general practitioners and the nurses and dermal therapists who work under their supervision, as well as for International Medical Graduates. The course assumes no prior knowledge or training in the field.

COURSE CONTENTS FOR BOTH DELIVERY FORMATS

The course provides training in skin cancer medicine and teaches various techniques allowing GPs to treat more complex cases in the primary care setting. 

The sessions cover:

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

Course participants will:

• Receive all presentation slides available for download
• If attending the one-day practical workshop, observe experts performing clinical procedures techniques on a large screen with close-up camera
• If attending the one-day practical workshop, perform procedural techniques in a simulated environment and receive feedback

COURSE OUTLINE: ONE-DAY PRACTICAL WORKSHOP

The first four course modules can be completed entirely online OR in a practical Saturday or Sunday workshop. The below time table refers to the practical workshops delivered on Saturdays or Sundays.

The last four course modules must be completed entirely online in addition to the first four modules completed online OR in a practical Saturday or Sunday workshop.

Session 5: Dermatopathology

Session 6: Topical treatment options

Session 7: Medicare billing

Session 8: Skin cancer business management

DELIVERY FORMAT 1: ONE-DAY PRACTICAL COURSE + ONLINE THEORETICAL COMPONENT 

There are eight units in a HealthCert Professional Certificate program. Course participants will have permanent access to all learning materials. There will be pre-reading activities, an intensive one-day practical workshop with expert demonstrations and practical hands-on activities, online materials and further readings, individual assessment tasks and finally two online examinations. 

What you get for your one-off investment:

• Online pre-course activity (to be completed in your own time prior to the course component).
• One-day practical workshop including catering.
• 4 course modules to be completed online at your convenience. 
• All materials including surgical instruments and consumables for practical sessions.
• Receive all presentation slides available for download.
• Additional online training in dermoscopy.
• 8 video-based lectures for reference and review for life.
• Post-course online assessment (to be completed in your own time within three months of attending the program).
• Post-course support in monthly webinars with the opportunity to discuss cases with course presenters.

DELIVERY FORMAT 2: COURSE COMPLETION ENTIRELY ONLINE 

For delegates who are unable to attend the face-to-face two-day program due to timetable conflicts or travel distance, we offer a 100% online training option. We offer a ‘start anytime online’ course structure, which gives flexible start and completion times for studies, as well as exam extensions, to fit in with busy schedules. Upon registration, you will be able to access all learning contents immediately and complete the certificate course online. If you would then like to cement your knowledge, you have the option to attend the one-day practical workshop anytime that suits you (at an additional cost).  

You can enjoy the flexibility to study at your own pace, in your own time, within your home or office, and on your favourite mobile device. The modules are set up in such a way that you are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay the video lectures at your convenience. The webinars offer the opportunity to join and interact with the presenters online in real-time but can also be viewed later. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online within six months of the start of the cohort. With no travel, accommodation or out-of-office expenses incurred, you can build critical skills and tailor your career while working in a busy practice or raising a family.

What you get for your one-off investment:

• 8 video lectures, including video demonstrations of procedures.
• All presentation slides available for download.
• Additional online training in dermoscopy (100 image quiz using the Three-Point Checklist).
• Mandatory case studies for each of the eight modules.
• Post-course online assessment (to be completed in your own time within six months of attending the program).
• Post-course support in monthly webinars with the opportunity to discuss cases with course presenters.

ASSESSMENT

In order to meet the requirements of professional and academic learning, the course assessment includes a professional requirement and two online examinations.

• Develop a report/explanation of how you will use the learning from this course in your professional work.

Online assessment

• 88 knowledge questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
  • 11 per module
    Example: The medical practitioner believes that 10% of the population … Is he correct?  Yes/No

• 100 Three-Point Checklist authentic clinical and dermoscopic images multiple choice questions – decide if each benign or suspicious. (There is also a practice exam for the Three-Point Checklist where you can see the answers immediately)

The knowledge-based examination is worth 50 per cent and the application-based examination is worth 50 per cent. The overall pass mark is 80 per cent. It is therefore not possible to pass this course on knowledge alone. Knowledge must be successfully applied to patient cases in order to pass the course.

CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine certificate and below points. To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

      - PDP units: 27 Educational activity, 18 Performance review
     - MOPs points: 16
     - 1 day under the Surgery Rural Procedural Training Grant

Online

EDUCATION 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, Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Medicine.

It is recommended that this qualification be used as part of an application for Membership or Fellowship with the Skin Cancer Institute.

Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology

Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology 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 specialist 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.