Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine

Advance your competency in dermoscopy and the surgical and non-surgical treatment of skin cancer.

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Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine

CPD

30.5 hrs Education 36 hrs Performance 8.5 hrs Outcome

Delivery

Fully online or
with practical
workshop

Duration

66.5 hours
Self-paced
Start anytime

Overview

Gain valuable experience in rarely covered areas of skin cancer medicine including diathermy, curettage and cautery, and suturing (including ‘paper-thin’ elderly skin).

Who it is for and what you will learn:

Receive an excellent introduction to advanced dermoscopy.
Acquire the essential knowledge to diagnose and manage most skin cancers in your practice.
Manage diagnosis and treatment from your office to increase revenue and reduce referrals.
This course is for physicians, nurse practitioners, and degree-qualified nurses.
CPD-accredited and university-assured.

Your education pathway

Professional Certificate

Establish foundational clinical knowledge and essential skills.

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Advanced Certificate

Develop advanced techniques and diagnostic capabilities.

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Professional Diploma

Master complex cases and achieve high-level clinical proficiency.

Learn more

Learning outcomes

Solidify and advance your competency in dermoscopy and surgical and non-surgical treatments, to identify and manage the "big three" skin cancers: BCC, SCC, and melanoma.
Improve your diagnostic skills through advanced dermatoscopy.
Gain valuable experience in diathermy, advanced biopsy techniques, various suturing approaches, topical treatment options, local anaesthesia, and more.
Master ellipse planning to ensure optimal cosmetic outcomes, and perform curettage and cautery, large elliptical excisions, and lower leg grafts to treat more skin lesions and reduce referrals.
Manage most skin cancers encountered in primary care and offer your patients a wide range of treatment options.

Course contents

Suturing and Perfecting the Ellipse

The "Suturing and Perfecting the Ellipse" course is designed to enhance the skills of healthcare professionals involved in skin cancer excisions. This course covers the principles of elliptical excisions, advanced suturing techniques, and patient care considerations. Through hands-on practice, participants will master techniques such as marking, cutting, and suturing the ellipse with precision, ensuring minimal scarring and optimal healing. Ideal for practitioners looking to refine their surgical techniques, this course provides the tools needed to confidently perform excisions and closures in various anatomical regions.

Local anaesthesia for skin cancer medicine

The "Local Anaesthesia for Skin Cancer Medicine" course equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to administer local anaesthesia effectively in skin cancer procedures. Focusing on the pharmacology of anaesthetic agents, safe injection techniques, and nerve blocks, the course provides practical tips and best practices for ensuring patient comfort while minimizing risks. Through detailed instructional videos and clinical guidelines, participants will learn how to manage challenging anatomical areas and prevent complications during skin cancer treatments.

Chaos and Clues

The "Chaos and Clues Method" course provides healthcare professionals with an advanced approach to dermoscopy for identifying suspicious skin lesions. This course introduces the Chaos and Clues diagnostic algorithm, a proven method for determining whether skin lesions such as melanomas, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are benign or require further investigation. Participants will learn to apply this method through practical case studies, detailed image analysis, and expert guidance, improving their ability to make accurate and timely diagnoses in clinical practice.

Biopsy, Haemostasis and Halo grafting for skin cancer medicine

"Biopsy, Haemostasis, and Halo Grafting for Skin Cancer Medicine" is a practical course for healthcare professionals specialising in dermatology and skin cancer treatment. Covering advanced techniques for biopsy, cautery, and halo grafting, this program emphasises precision, safety, and optimal cosmetic outcomes. Through hands-on demonstrations and clinical applications, participants will learn to perform punch and shave biopsies, manage haemostasis effectively, and execute halo grafting for challenging lesions. The course provides evidence-based guidelines and practical insights to enhance procedural confidence and patient care.

Currettage and Cautery for skin cancer medicine

"Curettage and Cautery for Skin Cancer Medicine" is a focused course designed for healthcare professionals involved in dermatology and skin cancer treatment. This course covers non-surgical approaches to managing precancerous and cancerous lesions, including cryotherapy and curettage with cautery. Through practical demonstrations, participants will learn to identify appropriate lesions, apply safe techniques, and optimise outcomes with minimal invasiveness. With evidence-based strategies and hands-on guidance, this course empowers clinicians to enhance patient care and confidence in treating skin cancers.

Ellipse planning

"Ellipse Planning" is an essential course for healthcare professionals focusing on advanced surgical excision techniques in skin cancer medicine. This course emphasises designing and executing elliptical excisions tailored to various anatomical regions, considering skin tension lines, functional requirements, and cosmetic outcomes. With expert guidance, practical demonstrations, and case discussions, participants will develop skills to achieve precise excisions and optimal closures, minimising complications and enhancing patient satisfaction.

The Big Three: BCC, SCC and Melanoma

"The Big Three – BCC, SCC, and Melanoma" is an in-depth course designed for medical professionals to master the diagnosis, treatment, and management of the three most common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Covering dermoscopic features, biopsy techniques, pathology interpretation, and various treatment modalities, the course integrates real-life cases to enhance learning. Participants will gain the skills necessary to deliver evidence-based, patient-centred care for skin cancer management in diverse clinical settings.

Skin Cancer Medicine Case Management

Enhance your expertise in skin cancer medicine with the "Skin Cancer Medicine Case Management" course. Tailored for healthcare professionals, this program explores advanced case management techniques for treating basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Through clinical case studies, you'll master procedures like elliptical excisions, suturing, lower leg grafts, and biopsies while learning to manage complex lesions in high-risk anatomical areas. With evidence-based insights and practical demonstrations, this course equips practitioners to deliver optimal patient care and achieve superior outcomes in skin cancer treatment.

These topics are covered during the hands-on practical sessions in the optional skills workshop.

Meet your instructors

Dr Colin Armstrong BSc BMBS MMed (Skin Cancer) FRACGP Dr Colin Armstrong

Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Redcliffe

Dr Colin Armstrong is a general practitioner and part-time clinical trials investigator at the Wesley Research Institute, Brisbane. He completed all HealthCert certificate courses and The University of Queensland Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) in 2011. Working primarily in skin cancer since 2010, Colin is passionate about building GPs’ confidence in their management of skin cancer and has an ongoing commitment to GP education in all facets of skin

Dr Hamilton Ayres BA BSc BMBS FRACGP Dr Hamilton Ayres

Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Berwick

Dr Hamilton Ayres worked in Adelaide as a Plastic Surgery Registrar at Flinders, Repatriation General Hospital and the Royal Adelaide Hospital where his main role was the management of trauma, hand injuries and difficult skin cancers. Hamilton has obtained a Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Certificates in Skin Cancer Medicine, Dermatoscopy and Histopathology from HealthCert and The University of Queensland School of Medicine.

Dr Colin Armstrong BSc BMBS MMed (Skin Cancer) FRACGP Dr Colin Armstrong

Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Redcliffe

Dr Hamilton Ayres BA BSc BMBS FRACGP Dr Hamilton Ayres

Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Berwick

Dr Colin Armstrong BSc BMBS MMed (Skin Cancer) FRACGP Dr Colin Armstrong

Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Redcliffe

Dr Hamilton Ayres BA BSc BMBS FRACGP Dr Hamilton Ayres

Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Berwick

Dr Colin Armstrong BSc BMBS MMed (Skin Cancer) FRACGP Dr Colin Armstrong

Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Redcliffe

Professor Cliff Rosendahl MBBS PhD Professor Cliff Rosendahl

Professor and Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer) Program School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Australia

Professor Cliff Rosendahl currently works in Brisbane as a primary care practitioner with a special interest in skin cancer. He also has an interest in research as the clinical developer and Director of the Skin Cancer Audit Research Database (SCARD). His other main area of research has been in evaluating dermatoscopic clues and artificial intelligence for the diagnosis of skin malignancy in collaboration with colleagues at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

Prof Rosendahl has published over 70 articles in peer-reviewed journals and authored/co- authored two textbooks. He has a busy schedule presenting to GPs in Australia and to GPs and dermatologists internationally.

FROM

$2695

Payment plans, special rates and bundle savings available

University-assured and CPD-accredited education
Structured pathways for real-world clinical practice
Led by recognised clinicians and international faculty
Lifetime access to course materials and alumni support

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Upcoming workshops

Build practical skills with expert-led, hands-on training in small groups.

View all dates and locations

Workshop

Complete your certificate online, then build practical skills in the accompanying optional hands-on workshop.

View workshop dates

Short courses

Study selected topics from this certificate as focused, standalone short courses for targeted upskilling in under 10 hours.

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HealthCert 365

Access selected content from this certificate, plus 4,000+ hours of other CPD across a wide range of clinical areas.

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CPD accreditation and course details

CPD Accreditation and Activities

CPD & Outcome Measurement

Each module in this certificate is an RACGP and ACRRM approved CPD activity. The certificate provides 50 hours of CPD for medical professionals in Australia.*

RACGP Activity Number	ACRRM Activity Number	Activity Title	Education Hours	Performance Hours
1420352	39011	Suturing and Perfecting the Ellipse	4.5	5.0
404168	39012	Local anaesthesia for skin cancer medicine	4.5	5.0
403766	38734	Chaos and Clues	4.5	6.0
1420379	39013	Biopsy, Haemostasis and Halo grafting for skin cancer medicine	4.0	5.0
1420396	39018	Currettage and Cautery for skin cancer medicine	4.0	5.0
1420417	39020	Ellipse planning	4.0	5.0
404190	39021	The Big Three: BCC, SCC and Melanoma	5.0	5.0
1420433	39022	Skin Cancer Medicine Case Management	5.0	5.0
Total hours			35.5	41.0

Workshop CPD hours

The optional Advanced Skin Cancer Medicine Practical Workshop is accredited for 8 CPD hours total.

Education hours: 1
Performance hours: 7

*When the optional outcome measurement activity (minimum 5 hours) is completed. See our FAQs for more information about annual CPD requirements.

View the CPD Hours for all HealthCert Education activities.

Outcome measurement

The purpose of outcome measurement activities is to improve your clinical confidence in managing an identified learning gap. Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of our Professional Certificate of Advanced Certificate courses; they are a requirement for Australian CPD purposes.

HealthCert Education provides a variety of outcome measurements activities to suit your needs:

Outcome Improvement Activities relating to specific topics within a course. They are designed to examine current clinical care, align clinical practice with best practice standards, and identify opportunities for improvement. These activities are accredited with RACGP and ACRRM.
Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) options on a specific topic or your identified area. A generic template and guides are provided. PDSAs are self-submitted activities.
Additional activities with guides include Test Measurement, Pathology Results, Practice Meetings, Peer Review, Practice Accreditation, Project Management, Student Supervision, and Pick your own topics (General Practice and Log Book methods). These are self-submitted activities.

Entry Requirements

The Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine is suitable for physicians, nurse practitioners, and degree-qualified nurses. Participants must have completed the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine (or a qualification deemed equivalent).

Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing 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.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

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, you will receive the Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine and CPD hours.

This certificate course:

Is quality-assured by Bond University.
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 recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).
Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses endorsed by the RACGP. Hours are calculated differently.
Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD hours 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. Contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.
Qualifies for a clinical attachment in France at the University of Lyon.
Qualifies for a clinical attachment in Austria at the University of Vienna.
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 our FAQs.

Pathways

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the second stage of the 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 provides 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 and provides a saving on fees. View The University of Queensland, Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) program.

Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer)
Doctors who complete the HealthCert Professional Diploma programs in Dermoscopy, Skin Cancer Medicine and Skin Cancer Surgery can receive RPL for the units IMED7002, IMED7010, and IMED7011, which are high-level subjects in the Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) at The University of Queensland. The Master of Medicine is open only to registered medical practitioners with at least two years' postgraduate experience. IMED7010 is also a part of the Graduate Certificate Medicine (Skin Cancer); if a student (with two years' postgraduate clinical experience) who isn’t a registered medical practitioner has completed the HealthCert Skin Cancer Medicine pathway and the UQ units IMED7001, IMED7002, and IMED7003, they can receive the Graduate Certificate. View The University of Queensland, Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) program.

Please note, only HealthCert Education qualifications completed within the last ten years can be recognised. Credit is assessed on an individual basis and is not guaranteed. If you are considering continuing your studies at UQ, we encourage you to speak with a HealthCert Education Advisor before enrolling. They can explain the current RPL process and help you understand the available credit pathways.

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 (UK)

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

Clinical attachments are optional and available on a 1:1 or small group basis. These provide the opportunity to observe skin cancer treatments and ask questions of the expert performing the treatments. 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 Medical University of Vienna is the largest medical organisation in Austria, as well as one of the top-level research institutions in Europe and provides Europe's largest hospital, the Vienna General Hospital, with all of its medical staff. The Vienna General Hospital has about 100,000 patients treated as inpatients and 605,000 treated as outpatients each year.

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.

What are the costs and payment options of the course?

Fees will vary based on the program and study option selected (fully online vs online + optional practical workshop). Payments can be made upfront or in monthly instalments. Special rates and various payment options are available. GP registrars and doctors in training enjoy a scholarship of up to $500. Talk to us to learn more.

What is the Alumni Support Program?

Completion of any HealthCert course or attendance at an event will enable you to access the HealthCert Alumni Program which includes:

Access to special alumni rates for new courses when they are released.
Special alumni price for HealthCert Conferences.
Exclusive advanced access to HealthCert events.
Regular Alumni Webinars pertaining to the course(s) you have attended. These will provide content review of the course and an opportunity to discuss case studies.
Access to the video lectures as seen during the course(s) that you have attended.

How will I receive my certificate?

HealthCert Education is pleased to issue digital credentials for alumni. Digital credentials are a permanent online record of your successful completion of a HealthCert course and are issued to all course participants in addition to PDF certificates. If you are based in Australia, you also have the option to order a hard copy of your digital certificate for a small additional fee.

How long will the course take to complete?

The recommended study duration of this certificate course is listed at the top of this page. The estimated duration includes study of the pre-course activities and readings, online lectures, live tutorials, and online assessment. This self-paced course offers the flexibility of 100% online study in your own time, at your own pace, in your own home or office, with no mandatory face-to-face requirements. You are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay video lectures at your convenience.

Is this course recognised in my country?

All HealthCert courses meet World Federation of Medical Education standards. This certificate course qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) in Australia. It is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) in New Zealand. It is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) in China. It is a self-submitted activity in Dubai and the United Kingdom. It is a self-submitted activity through the College of Family Physicians in Canada. If you live or work outside one of the above-mentioned countries, please contact us on admin@healthcert.com to discuss whether this course can be recognised in your country.

Cancellation policy: What happens if I can't attend a practical workshop?

Course/workshop cancellations and transfers policy

Should you be unable to attend a course or practical workshop you have registered for, please inform us asap at admin@healthcert.com so we can make your place available to waitlisted doctors.

Charges may apply for course/workshop cancellations and/or transfers. Click here for details.

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Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine

Overview