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Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery Principles

Acquire and hone various skin cancer surgical techniques, including large elliptical excision, flaps, and grafts.

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Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery Principles

CPD

28 hrs Education 42.5 hrs Performance 8.5 hrs Outcome

Delivery

Fully online or
with practical
workshop

Duration

70.5 hours
Self-paced
Start anytime

Overview

Surgery is still considered the most effective and definitive skin cancer treatment. This certificate course will allow you to manage more complex skin cancer cases in your practice.

Who it is for and what you will learn:

  • This course is perfect for practitioners with some prior skin cancer training or experience.

  • Learn various techniques allowing treatment of more complex cases in the primary care setting. 

  • This course is for physicians only.

  • CPD-accredited and university-assured.

Your education pathway

Professional Certificate

Establish foundational clinical knowledge and essential skills.

You are here

Advanced Certificate

Develop advanced techniques and diagnostic capabilities.

Learn more

Professional Diploma

Master complex cases and achieve high-level clinical proficiency.

Learn more

Learning outcomes

  • 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.

  • Learn important surgical techniques in the management of skin cancer to provide effective treatments to patients in primary care, without the need for referral to specialists. 

  • Enjoy an interactive, hands-on program with immediate applicability, and gain the confidence to surgically treat skin lesions in your practice.

Course contents

Theory, Anatomy and Principles of Skin Cancer Surgery
The "Theory, Anatomy, and Principles of Surgery" course is designed to enhance medical professionals' knowledge and skills in performing basic skin cancer surgeries. Focusing on the critical aspects of surgical procedures, the course covers topics such as skin anatomy, tension lines, the ellipse technique, suturing, and post-operative care. Participants will also learn about surgical facilities, documentation, and practice efficiency. Presented by expert Dr. Tony Dicker, this course offers a practical, evidence-based approach to skin cancer surgery, ensuring improved outcomes and patient care. It is ideal for practitioners looking to refine their techniques and increase procedural success.
Suturing and perfecting the ellipse plus local anaesthetic
Master essential surgical skills with this comprehensive course on suturing, ellipse design, and local anaesthesia administration. Designed for healthcare professionals, this course covers knot tying, a variety of suture techniques, local anesthetic safety, and best practices for achieving optimal surgical outcomes. Learn to perfect elliptical excisions, manage surgical margins, and handle practical challenges with confidence. Featuring hands-on practice and expert guidance, this course equips you with the knowledge and skills to elevate your surgical practice in skin cancer management and other procedures.
Skin grafting
Master the essential techniques of skin grafting with the "Skin Grafting" course. This comprehensive program offers theoretical knowledge, practical guidance, and advanced insights into full-thickness and split skin grafts, surgical planning, and post-operative care. Through step-by-step instructions and real-world applications, you'll learn to manage skin defects effectively, improve cosmetic and functional outcomes, and confidently incorporate these skills into clinical practice.
Pivotal Flaps
The "Pivotal Flaps" course provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills in the field of skin cancer surgery, focusing on the use of pivotal flaps for defect closure. Through a combination of theoretical principles and hands-on demonstrations, participants will learn about various flap designs, including rotation and transposition flaps, and how to perform these techniques to achieve optimal cosmetic and functional results. The course covers key concepts such as flap mechanics, tension management, and complications. It is ideal for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their surgical capabilities in skin cancer treatment.
Rhomboid Flaps 1
The "Rhomboid Flaps 1" course provides healthcare professionals with a detailed introduction to rhomboid flap surgery, focusing on the theory, design, and practical application of traditional and modified rhomboid flaps. Participants will learn how to design, plan, and execute these flaps to close skin defects, especially following skin cancer excision. This course emphasises aesthetic outcomes, flap movement principles, and the management of common complications like dog-ears. Through clinical examples and case studies, this course equips practitioners to confidently use rhomboid flaps in their practice.
Advancement Flaps 1
The "Advancement Flaps 1" course offers medical professionals an in-depth understanding of performing advancement flaps for skin cancer surgery. This course introduces various flap techniques such as single, A-T, H-plasty, and lateral advancements. Participants will learn how to select appropriate flaps based on the defect location, optimise aesthetic outcomes, and apply mathematical rules to ensure viability. With practical demonstrations and case-based examples, this course equips practitioners with the skills necessary to manage complex skin cancer excisions.
Wound care, managing complications, Mohs surgery, Medicare and medical indemnity
The "Wound Care, Managing Complications, Mohs Surgery, Medicare and Medical Indemnity" course is designed for healthcare professionals involved in skin cancer surgery. This comprehensive course covers essential aspects of wound management, surgical complications, the principles of Mohs surgery, and the legal aspects of Medicare billing and medical indemnity. Through practical case studies and expert insights, participants will gain a deep understanding of post-surgical care, minimising risks, and navigating the legal and financial considerations in skin cancer practice.
Case Studies for Skin Cancer Surgery
"Case Studies for Skin Cancer Surgery" offers medical professionals practical, case-based insights into skin cancer surgery. Participants will explore six real-life case studies, each presenting a different skin lesion requiring surgical management. The course focuses on planning surgical procedures, including excision techniques, closure methods, and considerations for various skin cancer types. Through interactive learning, participants can refine their decision-making skills, from surgical planning to post-operative management, with expert feedback provided. This course is ideal for those looking to enhance their practical skills in skin cancer surgery.

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

Meet your instructors

Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker Workshop Presenter Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker MBBS, PhD Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker

Associate Professor (Skin Cancer) & Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer), The University of Queensland

Associate Professor 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.
Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker Workshop Presenter Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker MBBS, PhD Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker

Associate Professor (Skin Cancer) & Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer), The University of Queensland

Associate Professor 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.
Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker Workshop Presenter Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker MBBS, PhD Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker

Associate Professor (Skin Cancer) & Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer), The University of Queensland

Associate Professor 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 Tan Dr Francis Tan MBBS MMed (Skin Cancer) Dr Francis Tan

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.
Dr Francis Tan Dr Francis Tan MBBS MMed (Skin Cancer) Dr Francis Tan

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.
Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker Workshop Presenter Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker MBBS, PhD Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker

Associate Professor (Skin Cancer) & Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer), The University of Queensland

Associate Professor 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.
Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker Workshop Presenter Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker MBBS, PhD Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker

Associate Professor (Skin Cancer) & Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer), The University of Queensland

Associate Professor 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.
Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker Workshop Presenter Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker MBBS, PhD Assoc. Professor Tony Dicker

Associate Professor (Skin Cancer) & Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer), The University of Queensland

Associate Professor 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.

Other ways to study this topic

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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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

Accredited CPD activities in this certificate

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
1422840 38986 Theory, Anatomy and Principles of Skin Cancer Surgery 4.5 5.0
402741 38987 Suturing and perfecting the ellipse plus local anaesthetic 5.0 5.0
1422988 38988 Skin grafting 3.5 5.0
1423023 38991 Pivotal Flaps 3.5 5.0
1423046 38992 Rhomboid Flaps 1 3.5 5.0
1423053 38993 Advancement Flaps 1 4.0 5.0
1423078 38994 Wound care, managing complications, Mohs surgery, Medicare and medical indemnity 4.0 5.0
1423093 38996 Case Studies for Skin Cancer Surgery 0.0 7.5
Total hours 28.0 42.5

Workshop CPD hours

The optional Skin Cancer Surgery Practical Workshop is accredited for 8.5 CPD hours total.

  • Education hours: 1

  • Performance hours: 7.5

*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 Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery is suitable for physicians only. 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.

Recognised 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, course participants will receive the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery and CPD hours. (Participants who choose to complete the online course components only (no workshop) will receive the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery Principles.)

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 Skin Cancer Surgery Clinical Attachment in France at the University of Lyon.

  • Qualifies for a Skin Cancer Surgery Clinical Attachment in Austria at the University of Vienna.

  • Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.

  • Has been independently developed with subject specialists 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 first stage of the Professional Diploma pathway. The full pathway is Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery, Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery, and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery. 

RPL with The University of Queensland

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. 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.

Postgraduate Diploma in Minor Surgery (UK)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Minor Surgery 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 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 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.

University quality-assured and CPD-accredited education provider

This organisation is an RACGP-accredited CPD provider under the RACGP CPD Program.

RACGP logo
ACRRM logo
AMA
Bond-Sep-09-2026-05-46-43-7981-AM
Griffith
IDS-1
Graz
Vienna
University of South Wales
Torrens
NSCC-2
Rila
UQ logo

Frequently asked questions

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.

What our alumni say

Join thousands of doctors who have advanced their clinical practice with our certificate courses.

"HealthCert courses have become the standard by which you gauge all others."

Dr K. Abolarinwa

"Good, courses with excellent speakers. I particularly enjoyed the case study scenarios which helped to integrate the knowledge gained."

- Dr A. Tucker

"This is the pathway to improve your confidence and evolve into the GP you aspire to be"

- Dr S. Shinwari

Get in touch with us

Our Education Advisors can assist you with any queries and tailor your education pathway to suit your current expertise, interests and career goals.

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