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 (January, March, April, July, September and October) and includes a workshop which is a key component of the learning.  Workshops will be delivered either via in-person format at a local health care facility or via a virtual/videoconference format by de Souza Institute. Please note that the in-person workshop offers hands-on practice opportunities through simulations, whereas the virtual workshops do not. The 2025-26 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: View Full Course Syllabus

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.

Horizon Health Network- The Moncton Hospital

Date: May 28, 2025

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

Room: Dr. Rubin Sheldon Oncology clinic conference room 

Facilitator: Marilyn Smith

Juravinski Hospital & Cancer Centre

Date: May 26, 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: May 28, 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, Halifax

Facilitator: Kate Heighton 

Saskatoon Cancer Centre (STAFF ONLY)

Date: May 28, 2025

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

Room: TBD

Facilitators: Sheri Malinowski

Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (Allan Blair Cancer Centre - Regina)

Date: May 28, 2025

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

Room: TBD

Facilitators: April Johnson

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

Date: May 22, 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:

• May 20, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Eastern Time
  
  
• June 2, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Eastern Time
  
  
• June 9, 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 March 31, 2025. For more information, please visit our Cancellation & No Show Policy.