The Provincial Standardized Chemotherapy and Biotherapy course (PSCB) is delivered online and facilitated by advanced practice nurses/educators; the content is Canadian, up to date, and delivered with engaging and clinically relevant interactive activities and case studies.  Nurses can pace their study time independently and still be part of a supportive learning community.

PSCB reflects standards identified by a number of national and international bodies, including the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology. This course also meets Cancer Care Ontario’s 2021 standards, which specify that Registered Nurses who administer parenteral chemotherapy are required to achieve systemic cancer treatment certification of competency including theoretical, clinical, and continuing competence requirements.

PSCB is offered six times a year and includes a workshop which is a key component of the learning.  In the January, April and September offerings, workshop will be delivered either via in-person format at a local health care facility or via a virtual/videoconference format by de Souza Institute.  In February, July and October offerings, workshop will be in virtual format only. The 2024-25 offering schedule is available online. The dates may be subject to change, please check this enrollment page for regular updates.

Course Syllabus

Delivery Methods:  This does NOT apply to AHS O-PREP learners

This course is delivered online via an eLearning platform, which allows participants to study at their own pace.

• Quizzes, assignments and other learning outcome assessments are due at fixed dates and enable for evaluation of participants’ grasp of concepts.
  
  
• To support skills and development and critical thinking of Whole Person Care, participants must complete either an In-Person Workshop or a Virtual Workshop:
  
  
• In-Person Workshop: A full day, face-to-face workshop will be held at a local facility at regional cancer centers or hospitals. This is an important part of learning in the PSCB regular offering in January, April and September each year. For nurses new to chemotherapy and biotherapy administration, this workshop option is highly recommended.
  
  
• Virtual workshop (for nurses who cannot attend in-person workshop): The virtual workshop is delivered by de Souza Institute via videoconference (i.e., zoom) and covers the core teaching content presented at the in-person workshop, except for hands-on practices. Active participation is required. Virtual workshops are available in each course offering. Where possible, it remains highly recommended for nurses to attend an in-person workshop.
  
  
• There will be an open book invigilated online exam for all participants.

Following the successful completion of this course, participants are recommended to complete a preceptorship at their sponsoring organization to finalize their competency development.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

1. Develop competency in holistic, standardized cancer chemotherapy and biotherapy nursing care and support patient safety efforts by integrating safety theory within all areas of cancer chemotherapy and biotherapy nursing.
2. Apply evidence based systemic therapy practices.
3. Integrate Cancer Care Ontario practice recommendations into practice scenarios.

Course Requirements:

To receive a certificate and a 1.0 credit toward the Treatment and Delivery of Evidenced Based Care (towards de Souza designation), participants must complete the following before the course end date:

1. Pre-course evaluation survey
2. Course sections and modules
3. Quizzes and assignments
4. Course evaluations, including the course exam, with a passing mark of  36 out of 44 ( >81% )
5. Attendance at an in-person workshop at a local facility or completion of the virtual workshop
6. Post-course evaluation survey

Course Syllabus: To view the course syllabus, please click HERE

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP DATES: The workshop is a key component of this course, therefore we ask that you work with your workplace at the time of enrollment and at the start of the course, to ensure that your schedule will allow you attend and actively participate.

Bayshore Healthcare (STAFF ONLY) (Virtual)

Date: March 11, 2025

Time: 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST

Room: Virtual

Facilitator: Gayatre Maharai

Health Sciences North (Sudbury) (STAFF ONLY)

(Staff includes Cochrane,Elliot Lake,Hearst,Huntsville,Kapuskasing,Kirkland Lake,Mindemoya,New Liskeard,North Bay,Parry Sound,Sturgeon Falls,Timmins)

Date: March 7, 2025

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Room: 4 North RCP Boardroom

Facilitator: Jemima Guignard & Shelley Lacelle

Juravinski Hospital & Cancer Centre

Date: March 3, 2025

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Room: JHCC A4-4 

Facilitator: Cheryl Page

Kingston Health Sciences Centre – KGH site (STAFF ONLY)

(Staff Includes Kingston, Perth/Smith Falls, Brockville, Belleville, Napanee & Quinte)

Date: March 12, 2025

Time:8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Room: Kingston General Hospital, Victory 2B Conference Room

Facilitators: Kaitlin Cormier, Christine Brown and Rya Mackenzie

Nova Scotia Health (STAFF ONLY)

Date: TBD

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Room: Bethune Building

Facilitator: Kate Heighton & Andrea Healey

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Date: March 11, 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Room: 6^th floor, Rm. 6-702/3/4

Facilitators: Diana Incekol

Saskatoon Cancer Centre

Date: March 4, 2025

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Room: CG419

Facilitators: Sheri Malinowski

The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, General Campus (501 Smyth Rd,)

Date: March 4, 2025

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Room: C2353 - Second floor of the older section of the Cancer Centre, which is adjacent to the General Campus. You cannot access this room from the 2^nd floor of the new Cancer Centre wing.

Facilitators: Laurie Ann Holmes, & Amber Killam

de Souza Virtual Workshops

Dates:

• March 3, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Eastern Time
  
  
• March 4, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Eastern Time
  
  
• March 17, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Eastern Time

Facilitator: Komal Patel Saini

MORE WORKSHOP LOCATIONS TO FOLLOW

Eligibility

To enroll in the course, participants must be registered nurses who have developed competency in peripheral and central vascular access device care and maintenance. In addition, the participant’s nursing leadership/organization must support their application to participate. Participants must also be able to identify an invigilator to monitor their writing of the final exam. The invigilator must be your manager or nurse educator.

Please be aware, your manager and invigilator will be contacted by email to verify their support. Verification is mandatory for registration.

Prerequisite

Foundations in Oncology Nursing Practice (FONP) or Cancer Care Basics (CANB) is strongly recommended for nurses new to oncology, prior to taking this course. RPNs should complete one of these courses as soon as possible or have 2 years of recent Oncology experience. Approval to administer chemotherapy is at the discretion of the hiring health care organization.

Payment must be received by January 6, 2025. For more information, please visit our Cancellation & No Show Policy.