Fall 2024: 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

AttachmentSize
PDF icon OConnor COI 2025.pdf439.22 KB
PDF icon Kriner, Jaime 24-25.pdf305.66 KB
PDF icon AIS Chemo Fall 2024.pdf156.55 KB
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 25.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 25.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 25.50 Attendance
Course opens: 
10/02/2024
Course expires: 
12/05/2024
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
United States

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

 

Maura Miller DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, OCN

Clinical Education Specialist

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

 

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

 

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

 

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 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 25.50 Attendance
Please login or register to take this course.