Available Courses

Courses for nurses, pharmacists and health care professionals who care for cancer patients are outlined below. Registration for UPMC employees will be through uLearn. Registration is required for all courses. The registration form (for non-UPMC registrants only) is available at the top and bottom of this page. Most courses are held on the UPMC Shadyside Campus. Any changes in this course schedule will be flagged in red.

Course times unless specified are: Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and lectures begin at 8:00 a.m. Most courses conclude at 4:30 p.m.

Specific course information including objectives, information on continuing education credits, course brochure and location are available by clicking on “View Course Brochure” for a specific course or “View Program Flyer Announcement” for a specific program.

For questions or to request additional information, e-mail Karen Tondera at tonderaks@upmc.edu or call 412-623-3652. Watch for additional information as it becomes available.

General Resources

Spring 2012 Courses

Introduction to Oncology for the Health Care Provider

Date: Fridays, March 9, April 13 OR June 8
Time: Ancillary & medical assistant staff: 8 a.m. to 12:00 noon Nurses and clinical staff: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This one-day course provides a general overview of cancer, the disease process, treatments, symptom management, and its impact on patients and families. It is intended to enhance the practice of both health care professionals and ancillary staff who care for cancer patients in hospitals, ambulatory care, home care, hospice, extended care or rehabilitation settings.

Staff members can attend only the morning session or the entire day. The morning topics are applicable to all staff, including nurses, office staff and other health care professionals, who want to learn more about what cancer is, treatment options, and psychosocial needs of cancer patients. The afternoon topics are geared for nurses and other staff who need to learn more about assessment and care of oncology patients, the use of blood products and selected oncology emergencies.

Nursing continuing education credit is now available. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by PA State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Participants who attend the entire day and complete an evaluation form will be awarded a certificate and 6.6 contact hours.

All UPMC employees are required to register for educational programs through uLearn. uLearn is accessed by logging into MY HUB on the UPMC Infonet. A User Guide is available on the uLearn home page. Manager approval may be required for some programs for some employees. If you receive this notice when enrolling, please notify your manager of your interest in the program.

» See the course brochure

» See the Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants


Foundations to Practice in Oncology

The following five courses make up the Foundations to Practice in Oncology series. It is strongly recommended that University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and UPMC Cancer Centers staff who are required to take the Comprehensive Chemotherapy and Biological Therapies Course take these five courses as a prerequisite. All others may take individual courses of choice. Continuing education credits may be available for these courses.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by PA State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Participants who attend the entire day, complete an evaluation form, and attain a passing score of 85% on the homework will be awarded a certificate and 6.8 contact hours.

All UPMC employees are required to register for educational programs through uLearn. uLearn is accessed by logging into MY HUB on the UPMC Infonet. A User Guide is available on the uLearn home page. Manager approval may be required for some programs for some employees. If you receive this notice when enrolling, please notify your manager of your interest in the program.

Pathophysiology of Cancer and Cancer Treatment Modalities

Date: Tuesday, March 6
Time: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This course provides an overview of the principles and roles of various cancer therapies. Included are clinical trials, surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapies, radiation therapy, stem cell transplantation, complementary therapies, and a review of the pathophysiology of cancer.

» See the course brochure

» See the Foundations to Practice and Comprehensive Chemotherapy Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants

Overview of Solid Tumors and the Immune System

Date: Tuesday, March 13
Time: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This course provides an overview of a variety of solid tumors, including breast, colorectal, lung, melanoma, prostate, genito-urinary, and others, and a review of the immune system.

» View Solid Tumors Course Brochure

» See the Foundations to Practice and Comprehensive Chemotherapy Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants

Symptom Management of the Patient with Cancer

Date: Tuesday, March 20
Time: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This course addresses how health care professionals can help patients deal with physical symptoms and issues related to their disease and its treatment, such as gastrointestinal manifestations, pain, fatigue, cutaneous reactions, nutrition, sexual function and reproductive issues, and psychosocial needs of patients, families, and caregivers.

» View Symptom Management Course Brochure

» See the Foundations to Practice and Comprehensive Chemotherapy Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants

Oncology Emergencies and Advanced Cancer Issues

Date: Tuesday, March 27
Time: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This course addresses various oncologic emergencies, bone marrow depression, DIC, and thrombotic events. Immunosuppression and end-of-life issues are also addressed.

» View Onc Emergencies Course Brochure

» See the Foundations to Practice and Comprehensive Chemotherapy Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants

Hematological Malignancies

Date: Tuesday, April 3
Time: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This course provides an overview of specific hematological malignancies, including leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome. Presentations include information on staging, treatment options, and nursing care issues.

» View Hematological Malignancies Course Brochure

» See the Foundations to Practice and Comprehensive Chemotherapy Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants

Comprehensive Chemotherapy and Biological Therapies Course

Date: Wednesday, May 9, Tuesday, May 15, and Friday, May 18
Time: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This three-day course is designed to address needs of nursing, pharmacy and other professionals in relation to chemotherapy and biological therapies. It includes information on current pharmacotherapy, safe handling, and administration of anticancer agents and various issues concerning the management of patients receiving cancer therapy. Completion of this course requires a post-test.

Upon completion of the entire course, return of evaluation forms and successful completion of a written exam, (passing score 80%) participants will be awarded a certificate and 20.4 contact hours. This certificate confirms that the participant has successfully completed the course and has the theoretical foundation needed to administer chemotherapy and biotherapy. This is not a certification course; individual institutions are responsible for determining their own requirements based on internal policies for assessing clinical competency in chemotherapy and biotherapy administration.

Attendees (for UPMC employees only) at the Interventional Radiology lectures who attend designated lectures, complete the evaluations, and the content-specific post test (passing score 80%) will be awarded a certificate and 10.4 nursing contact hours.

Chemotherapy Exam Review and Test Taking Time

Date: Tuesday, May 22
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This exam review and test taking time is only for UPMC employees and is OPTIONAL (session optional, testing required within 2 weeks of course completion). Please discuss with your manager prior to registration. A brief overview of topics from the Comprehensive Chemotherapy and Biological Therapies Course will be provided. Exam time is proctored and successful completion will fulfill course requirements.

All UPMC employees are required to register for educational programs through uLearn. uLearn is accessed by logging into MY HUB on the UPMC Infonet. A User Guide is available on the uLearn home page. Manager approval may be required for some programs for some employees. If you receive this notice when enrolling, please notify your manager of your interest in the program.

» View Chemotherapy Course Brochure

» See the Foundations to Practice and Comprehensive Chemotherapy Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants


OCN® Test Review Course

Date: Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31
Time: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This two-day course provides an overview of the information required to assist the oncology nurse in preparing for the generalist oncology nursing certification (OCN) exam. Information provided in this course is consistent with review materials provided by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by PA State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Participants who attend both days, and complete an evaluation form will be awarded a certificate and 13.6 contact hours.

All UPMC employees are required to register for educational programs through uLearn. uLearn is accessed by logging into MY HUB on the UPMC Infonet. A User Guide is available on the uLearn home page. Manager approval may be required for some programs for some employees. If you receive this notice when enrolling, please notify your manager of your interest in the program.

View PDF Why Be OCN® Certified Brochure

» View OCN® Test Review Course Brochure

» OCN® Test Review Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants


Stem Cell Transplant Course

Date: Thursdays, April 12 and 19   COURSE CANCELLED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN THE FALL
Time: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Exact location will be provided in the confirmation letter.

This two-day course addresses the individual and joint needs of nursing, pharmacy, and other professions in relation to Stem Cell Transplantation. It includes information on current transplantation issues such as patient work-up, disease process, and patient care and management. Selected topics include differentiating types of transplants, mobilization and preparative regimens, growth factors, the role of total body irradiation, transfusion issues, graft vs. host disease, veno-occlusive disease, and other transplant related topics.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by PA State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Participants who attend the entire course and complete an evaluation form will be awarded a certificate and 13.6 contact hours.

All UPMC employees are required to register for educational programs through uLearn. uLearn is accessed by logging into MY HUB on the UPMC Infonet. A User Guide is available on the uLearn home page. Manager approval may be required for some programs for some employees. If you receive this notice when enrolling, please notify your manager of your interest in the program.

» View Stem Cell Transplant Course Brochure

» Stem Cell Transplant Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants


Additional Oncology Educational Opportunities

Topic: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Disease-State Overview
When: Tuesday, May 8
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Herberman Conference Center, Cancer Pavilion
Speaker: Dr. Andy Lepisto, PhD

View PDF View Program Flyer Announcement


Topic: Avastin® (bevacizumab) Case Study: A Closer Look at Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
When: Thursday, May 17
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Herberman Conference Center, Cancer Pavilion
Speaker: Susan Epting, RN, MSN, AOCNS

View PDF View Program Flyer Announcement


Topic: New and Emerging Therapeutic Options in Metastatic Melanoma-Progress Care and Challenges for Personalizing Patient
When: Thursday, May 24
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Cooper Conference Center, Hillman Cancer Center
Speaker: Jon M. Richards, MD, PhD

Program Flyer Announcement coming soon


American Society of Radiologic Technologists

Programs with ASRT credit and a focus on radiation oncology issues are offered monthly at UPMC Shadyside and via conference call to all interested UPMC sites. No registration is needed for attendance at UPMC Shadyside. Continuing education credit may be available for ASRT and nurses. Lunch is provided at the live location.

Topic: Survivorship Care Options
When: Wednesday, May 16
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Cooper Conference Center, Hillman Cancer Center
Speaker: Josie van Londen, MD, MSc; Dr.Susan George, PT; and Ellen Beckjord, PhD, MPH

View PDF View Program Flyer Announcement


Next Program:

Topic: To be announced
When: Wednesday, June 20
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Cooper Conference Center, Hillman Cancer Center
Speaker: To be announced


The Fifth Annual Technical and
Clinical Advances in Radiation Oncology:
Advances in Modern Technology in Treatment Planning

Date: Saturday, April 28
Time: 7:30 a.m. Registration & breakfast
8:00 a.m. Lectures
4:10 p.m. Conference Adjournment
Where: Herberman Conference Center, UPMC Cancer Pavilion

This one-day seminar addresses the educational needs of health care professionals in radiation oncology to learn new techniques and advances in the field as presented by content experts.

Pre-registration required.

Audience: Medical Dosimetrists and Radiation Therapists

View PDF View Program Flyer Announcement and Registration Form




Brochures:

View PDF Introduction to Oncology Course Brochure

View PDF Pathophysiology of Cancer and Cancer Treatment Modalities Course Brochure

View PDF Solid Tumors Course Brochure

View PDF Symptom Management Course Brochure

View PDF Oncology Emergencies Course Brochure

View PDF Hematological Malignancies Course Brochure

View PDF Chemotherapy Course Brochure

View PDF OCN® Test Review Course Brochure

View PDF Stem Cell Transplant Course Brochure



Registration Forms For Non-UPMC Registrants:

View PDF Introduction to Oncology Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants

View PDF Foundations to Practice and Comprehensive Chemotherapy Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants

View PDF OCN Test Review Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants

View PDF Stem Cell Transplant Registration Form for non-UPMC Registrants



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