COURSE OVERVIEW
Surgery is still considered the most effective and definitive skin cancer treatment. The Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery is ideal for doctors with a special interest in skin cancer surgery. Delivered by noted skin cancer doctors and a team of experienced GPs, the program covers surgical procedures for the nose and the lower limb, reconstruction of alar and sidewall nasal defects, reconstruction of the nasal tip and glabellar defects, skin grafts and flaps for the lower limb.
This course is the third part of the three-part Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery. The education pathway is Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery, Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery.
If you choose to attend the optional practical workshop and there is cause for postponement or you cannot travel due to Covid-19 restrictions, full workshop refund, transfer or alternative learning opportunities will be available for you. View full refunds and cancellation policy here.
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GAIN A SNEAK PEEK INTO THE COURSE

COURSE CONTENTS
The course provides advanced training in skin cancer surgery, allowing GPs to manage more complex cases in the primary care setting. Course participants can choose to complete the course entirely online or with an optional practical workshop.
- Neurovascular island flaps*
- Bilobed flaps*
- Banner and rhomboid flaps*
- V-Y flaps*
- Lip wedges*
- Periorbital defects*
- Case presentations
All topics are covered online and during the web live tutorials. *These topics are also covered during the hands-on practical sessions in the optional skills workshop. Course graduates also receive ongoing post-course support through regular alumni webinars.
Course Delivery
The Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery comprises of three parts, featuring 1) flexible online learning at your own pace, 2) interactive live web tutorials with additional content and demonstrations of procedures as well as 3) an optional small group practical workshop.
ONLINE LECTURES Start your online studies anytime and complete the eight modules at your own pace. The video lectures cover clinical theory, demonstrations of procedures and case study discussions and 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. Exam extensions available to suit your busy schedule. |
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LIVE WEB TUTORIALS Reinforce your learning and ask any questions you might have in four interactive webinars with the presenters, covering real patient case discussions and additional video demonstrations of procedures that you can follow along in your office or home. The tutorials offer the opportunity to join and interact with the presenters online in real-time and can also be reviewed later. |
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OPTIONAL WORKSHOP To cement your knowledge, attend an optional practical workshop available at select locations across Australia. The workshops offer the ideal opportunity to apply theory in practice and are delivered in a small group setting with demonstrations and hands-on skills practice of various procedures on pork parts and simulated models under expert supervision and guidance. |
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS and course requisites
The Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery is ideal for Medical Doctors and International Medical Graduates with a special interest in skin cancer surgery. Participants can expect to work with noted skin cancer doctors and gain the knowledge required to handle the most advanced surgical procedures on anatomically complex and cosmetically sensitive areas, thus reducing referrals to specialists and making them a favourable referral option for their peers.
The course is suitable for Medical Doctors and International Medical Graduates. Participants must have completed the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery and Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery (or qualifications deemed equivalent) in sequential order. It is recommended that 300 cases of skin cancer surgery have been completed 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.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Professionally accredited qualifications and prior studies may be
Doctors who have completed The University of Queensland certificate courses in skin cancer surgery are able to gain credit for those studies, providing the relevant HealthCert assessment is completed prior to diploma studies commencing (please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for the process). Other qualifications and prior studies may also be
OUTLINE: COMPLEX WORKSHOP
(Prerequisite of the Professional Diploma course)
Saturday
Time | Session | Topic |
8:00am - 8:30am | Registration | |
8:30am - 10:30am | Session 1 | Neurovascular island flaps |
10:30am - 11:00am | Morning Tea | |
11.00am - 1:00pm | Session 2 | Bilobed Flaps |
1.00pm - 2:00pm | Lunch | |
2:00pm - 3:00pm | Session 3 | Banner and rhomboid flaps |
3:00pm - 3:30pm | Afternoon Tea | |
3:30pm - 4:30pm | Session 3 (CONT) | Banner and rhomboid flaps |
Sunday
Time | Session | Topic |
7:45am - 8:00am | Arrival | |
8:00am - 9:30am | Session 4 | V-Y flaps |
9:30am - 10:00am | Morning Tea | |
10:00am - 11:30am | Session 5 | Lip wedges |
11.30am - 12:30pm | Lunch | |
12:30pm - 2:00pm | Session 6 | Periorbital defects |
2:00pm - 2:30pm | Afternoon Tea | |
2:30pm - 4:00pm | Session 7 | Case presentations |
Course Inclusions
For your one-off investment, you will receive unlimited access to all course content, additional learning materials, ongoing post-course support and more.
- Online pre-course activity to be completed in your own time.
- Eight online video modules to be viewed, replayed and completed at your convenience.
- All presentation slides and further learning materials available for permanent access and download.
- Instruments and consumables for practical sessions in the optional practical workshop.
- Post-course online assessment to be completed in your own time within six months of the course start date.
- Ongoing post-course support in monthly webinars with the opportunity to discuss cases with course presenters.
- Access to the HealthCert Community with additional free learning opportunities, special offers and other benefits.
If you choose to attend the optional practical workshop and there is cause for postponement or you cannot travel due to Covid-19 restrictions, full workshop refund, transfer or alternative learning opportunities will be available for you. View full refunds and cancellation policy here.
SPECIAL RATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS
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Dr Alister Lilleyman
MBBS, MMed (Skin Cancer), FSCCA
Senior Lecturer, The University of Queensland
Skin Cancer Doctor at Newcastle Skin Check, Charlestown NSW

Dr Anthony Azzi
MBBS, MMed (Skin Cancer)
Senior Lecturer, The University of Queensland
Director at Newcastle Skin Check, Charlestown NSW

Dr Victor Harling
MBBS
Skin Cancer Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Redcliffe
Dr Victor Harling obtained his medical degrees from The University of Queensland in 1983. He worked for Queensland Health and the Wesley Emergency Centre for many years before pursuing his interest in Skin Cancer Medicine. Victor undertakes regular professional development courses and has obtained a Diploma of Skin Cancer from the Skin Cancer College Australasia. He is passionate about skin cancer medicine and surgery, and shares his vast expertise with fellow GPs in HealthCert certificate course and Clinical Attachments at the Redcliffe Skin Cancer Centre.
Assessment
In order to meet the requirements of professional and academic learning, the course assessment includes professional requirements and two online examinations. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online within nine months of the course start date.
- Develop a report/explanation of how the learning from this course will help you with your professional development.
- Complete a literature review of three articles nominated by the course chair.
- Complete a clinical audit (separately accredited) to demonstrate application of learning.
A clinical audit is a mandatory element of this professional diploma. The clinical audit will guide you to reflect on your patient management, prior to and after, increasing your knowledge through your studies at HealthCert. You will need to submit your own cases as part of the audit. If you no longer see any cases in this field, the course offers an early exit point with the Complex Certificate.
Online assessment
- 120 knowledge multiple choice questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
- 120 authentic scenario based questions based on cases of patient care at a clinic.
- Example: A patient arrives at your clinic with this problem … What should you do? Multiple choice images based on patient cases.
The pass mark for each exam 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 completion of all course requirements, you will receive the Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery certificate and below points. You may also receive CPD recognition for the optional practical workshop; you will need to apply to your college, and the awarding of any CPD points will be at their discretion. To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.
- To gain QI&CPD points for this activity, GPs are to self-record their learning for QI&CPD recognition. For further information, please contact your state RACGP office: click here.
- Provides PDP points from the Australian Council of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
- Is a self-submitted activity with the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).
- Is a self-submitted activity with 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 points must be stated on the certificate. Please contact PLD@dhcr.gov.ae 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. Category 1 points are reported as certified and Category 2 points are reported as non-certified. Contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.
- Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
- Is recognised by the Skin Cancer Institute (SCI) and may be used as part of an application for Membership or Fellowship.
- Qualifies for a clinical attachment in France at the University of Lyon.
- Qualifies for a clinical attachment in Austria at the University of Vienna.
- Has been collaboratively designed with, and is annually reviewed by, Professor David Wilkinson, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Macquarie University.
- Has been independently developed with subject specialists and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.
Australia-based course participants, please note that HealthCert certificates are not accredited by TEQSA or ASQA and do not fall within the Australian Qualification Framework. All HealthCert certificates are professional development awards.
Education Pathways
It is recommended that this qualification be used as part of an application for Membership or Fellowship with the Skin Cancer Institute.
RPL with Torrens University
This postgraduate pathway is for general practitioners and degree-qualified medical practitioners who have successfully completed any HealthCert Professional Diploma (all three levels). 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. You can find more information here. This will be helpful to further develop business, management and leadership capabilities.
Please apply directly to Torrens University through this link here.
Postgraduate Pathway
Postgraduate Diploma in Minor Surgery 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








