Stand Alone Module

Chemotherapy: Principles, Management and Care

30 Credits

Duration:: 20 Weeks
Start Dates:: September and February
Attendance:: Thursdays and Fridays on 16-17 Feb, 8-9 Mar, 29-30 Mar, 3-4 May
Venue:: Uxbridge Campus
Cost:: Available on request

Key Contact:: Fiona Gracie
Tel:: 01494 522 141
Email:: fiona.gracie@bucks.ac.uk

Is this course suitable for me?

This module is aimed at healthcare professionals, primarily in oncology and haematology settings, who will need to administer chemotherapy (and biotherapies) and be responsible for the safety of personnel and the environment and the well-being of patients.

Overview

The module represents a short course for health care practitioners to study Cytotoxic Chemotherapy and will promote sound and detailed knowledge and acquisition of competencies to administer cytotoxic chemotherapy and biotherapy safely. It will look at supporting your development, maintain safe practice as well as providing holistic care of patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or biotherapy in your area of work.

Content

The Principles that govern cytotoxic therapy:

Chemotherapy as a treatment modality (within the context of other multi-modalities of treatments), the cell cycle, cytotoxic drug classification, chemotherapy protocols and their application in practice, use of drug regimens, the patient’ s cytotoxic journey and holistic care.

Chemotherapy practice:

Preparing the patient for chemotherapy administration, Informed consent, Information needs of patients, carers and allied staff, storage, equipment selection and operation and correct administration, routes of administration, use of peripheral and central access devices for chemotherapy delivery, patient investigations.

Risk Management:

Health and safety issues within home and working environments, spillage and hazards, extravasation, anaphylaxis, management of adverse events, toxicities and their measurement, accountability and principles of clear prescribing.

The Management and Prevention of Complications:

E.g. Myelosuppression, sepsis, tumour lysis, body image, fertility issues and contraception.

Cytotoxics as Therapy:

Understanding clinical research trials and the application in practice, survivorship following chemotherapy, moving from active to palliative treatment and other ethical and legal issues, concentrating on biotherapies and new drugs.

Cytotoxic service delivery:

Care in the community, discharge and referral, psychological care, cultural diversity, chemotherapy standards, roles and responsibilities, patient choices, autonomy and user involvement, 24/7 patient advice. Reference to further professional development.

What will I learn?

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

Demonstrate a sound and detailed knowledge of cytotoxic chemotherapy and biotherapy treatments and their administration.
Demonstrate competence in safe handling, management and administration of chemotherapy and biotherapy throughout the patient journey, taking account of professional and legal considerations.
Deploy critically and accurately current evidence to inform and manage the holistic care of patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy and biotherapy taking account of related effects and adverse effects of treatment, patient preferences and cultural diversity.
Critically evaluate practice and respond appropriately to ensure safety of patients, carers, healthcare personnel and the environment.

The 30 credits gained from this module can also be used towards a ‘Top Up’ Degree by enrolling on the BSc (Hons) Health Care Practice (Cancer and Palliative Care). In order to complete this degree you can automatically transfer these credits on enrolment within a two year period, otherwise application through the CATs Committee will apply.

Knowledge and skills framework (KSF)

This module will address elements of the following KSF’s dimensions:

Communication; Personal and people development; Heath safety and security; Service improvement; Quality, Equality and diversity; Health & well being (1 – 8)

Teaching and learning

A student-centred approach to learning and teaching will be adopted. Your prior knowledge and experience will be valued and provide a basis for the development of new knowledge. A range of teaching and learning methods will be employed to take account of the different styles of learning represented within the student group and to address both the theoretical and practical components of the course. These will include lectures to present factual material in a structured and logical manner; tutor-led discussion to promote active learning through student involvement; student presentations which will draw on the students’ knowledge and experience, encourage full participation and allow creative thinking for new ideas; supervised clinical practice will enable the student to acquire specific skills and competence in the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy and biotherapy

Entry requirements

Must be a registered nurse with a minimum of nine months post-qualifying experience, including two months experience working in a chemotherapy service environment. Applicants must have attended training in intravenous cannulation and be in receipt of a recognised intravenous therapy training certificate or record of attendance.

Will normally be expected to have 120 credits at level 5 or equivalent.

How to make an application

Please contact the Enquiries Team on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk

We hope to have a fully on-line application system shortly, but in the meantime, to apply for a course, please download and print these forms, completing them fully and posting back to the address below.

Mike Thomson

Student Recruitment Officer

Bucks New University

106 Oxford Road

Uxbridge

UB8 1NA

If you are unable to view the forms, please click here to download a free version of adobe reader.

Alternatively, if you call us on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk we can post you a hard copy application pack.

Students funded by the NHS or other employer

If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.