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ForwardSpring 2025: ANTINEOPLASTIC THERAPY AND IMMUNOTHERAPY COURSE
This four-day course is designed to address the needs of the nursing and other oncology professionals in relation to antineoplastic agents and immunotherapies. It includes information on current and investigational pharmacotherapy, safe handling, administration of antineoplastic agents, and various issues concerning the management of patients receiving cancer therapy. Learners must attend all four days of class and pass an exam with 80% accuracy at the end of the course in order to claim credit for the course .
This course is NOT a certification course and is not intended to measure competency. Individual institutions are responsible for determining their own requirements for assessing clinical competency.
It is strongly recommended that attendees have taken the Foundations to Practice series prior to completing this course.
All courses are sponsored by UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
The faculty consists of healthcare professionals with expertise in cancer care at UPMC.
Target Audience
Licensed healthcare professionals working in oncology or with oncology patients including Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants, Pharmacists, and Social Workers.
Learning Objectives
Compare and contrast the mechanism of action between antineoplastic therapy and immunotherapy.
Recall the side effect profiles for the different classes of antineoplastic agents and immunotherapies.
Recall nursing care considerations for patients receiving antineoplastic therapy and immunotherapy.
Compare and contrast the mechanisms of action, side effect profile, complications, and management of side effects for patients receiving novel treatment modalities including CAR T-cell therapy, BiTE therapy, and TIL therapy.
Describe the role that chemotherapy protectants play in the treatment of cancer.
Recall patient barriers to adherence of oral cancer medications.
Apply principles of antineoplastic therapy drug administration in calculating drug doses to include calculation of body surface area (BSA), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), creatinine clearance (CrCl) and carboplatin dosing.
Describe the steps to ensure safe administration of antineoplastic and immunotherapy agents.
Identify assessment priorities to effectively manage patient symptoms, dose-limiting toxicities, and adverse effects of antineoplastic therapy and immunotherapy.
Recognize relevant resources for proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and excretion precautions.
Prioritize the appropriate interventions for the management of hypersensitivity reactions.
Describe the appropriate interventions for the management of vesicant extravasation.
Discuss the differences between cancer genetics and cancer genomics.
Identify the role that growth factors play when treating oncology patients.
Recall strategies to prevent medication errors.
Additional Information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 OConnor COI 2025.pdf | 439.22 KB |
| Kriner, Jaime 24-25.pdf | 305.66 KB |
Amanda Agnew, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP
Clinical Oncology Pharmacist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Melissa Bastacky, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Nancy Birus MSN, RN, OCN
Clinical Education Specialist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Melissa K. Bourdius, MS, CGC
Genetics Counselor
Special Genetic Counsel
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Tom G. Boyer, PA-C
Physician Assistant
University of Pittsburgh Physicians
Tim Brenner, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Amy DiMaggio, MSN, RN, OCN
Clinical Education Specialist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Shrina Duggal, PharmD, BCOP
Lead Clinical Oncology Pharmacist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Timothy George, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Marissa Lamary, PA-C
Physician Assistant
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
UPMC Shadyside
Steve Moretti, PharmD
Oncology Consultant Pharmacist
Investigational Drug Service Pharmacy
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Shadyside
Emily Mueseler, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Lynne O’Connor, MSN, RN, OCN
Clinical Education Specialist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Alyssa Owens, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Linda Pfeifer, CRNP, RN
Nurse Practitioner
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Brittni Prosdocimo, MSN, RN, BMTCN
Advanced Clinical Education Specialist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Markie Rearick, MSN, RN, BMTCN
Clinical Education Specialist
UPMC Shadyside
Ernest M. Sanchez, Pharm.D.
Lead Pharmacist of Oncology Operations, Department of Pharmacy
UPMC Shadyside Hospital
Trish Seaman, MSN, RN, CMSRN
Nurse Educator, Central PA
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Jason Steele, PharmD, BCOP
Oncology Clinical Pharmacist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Courtney Stetor, MPAS PA-C
Physician Assistant
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 25.5 contact hours.
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 25.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Available Credit
- 25.50 AAPA Category I CME
- 25.50 ANCCUPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
- 25.50 Attendance