Advanced practitioners (APs) are playing an increasing role in oncology as the demand for team-based care increases. With the growing number of APs joining oncology practices comes the increased need for training materials that are specifically tailored to this group. To meet this need, ASCO University®—ASCO’s home for lifelong learning—collaborated in 2016 with the Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology (APAO), the Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology (APSHO), and the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) to create a series of certificate programs for APs.
Making high-quality educational resources available to your care team is a crucial investment in the success of your practice. The Advanced Practitioner Certificate Programs on ASCO University can help you onboard new employees more effectively and expand the skills of current staff, enabling every member of the team to work at the top of his or her license. Set up your APs—-including physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists—for success by equipping them with the knowledge they need to deliver the highest-quality cancer care. Participants can earn continuing medical education, nursing, and pharmacy credits, as well as certificates of participation that may be applied toward relicensure.
Stephanie F. Williams, MD, Division Chief of the Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Spectrum Health, found the Advanced Practitioner Certificate Programs to be beneficial to her care team. “We have about 20 advanced practitioners who are using the courses within the certificate programs,” she said. “Several of them are new to oncology, and this is a great way to educate them on the basics. So far, we’ve had very positive reviews, and the online format allows them to complete the courses on their own time.”
The series includes three certificate programs: the Basics 101 and 102 certificates, designed for newly graduated APs or those new to oncology practice, and the Advanced 201 certificate, designed for those with some familiarity in an oncology practice. Each certificate program includes 10 courses that are monitored and updated as new advances become available. The partnership among ASCO, APAO, APSHO, and HOPA in creating the program enabled a thorough discussion and identification of areas to be addressed, resulting in an interprofessional program that reflects the wide variety of needs that are applicable to APs.
Each certificate program may be purchased by an individual, and members of ASCO, APSHO, HOPA, and APAO are eligible for a 20% discount. Additionally, group registrations with 8 or more staff qualify for a 20% group discount. Institutional rates are available as well. For more information on the program, please e-mail customerservice@asco.org or visit the AP certificate page on ASCO University (university.asco.org/app). ■
Originally published in ASCO Connection. © American Society of Clinical Oncology. “Set Your Practice Staff up for Success: ASCO University Certificate Programs for Advanced Practitioners.” ASCOconnection.org, July 30, 2018. All rights reserved.
