Treatment Basics: Antineoplastic Therapy in the Non-Oncology Setting

A new opportunity for nurses working outside of the oncology setting!

ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Trainers have expressed concern over the use of antineoplastic medications in areas outside of the hematology and oncology units. Nurses are often pulled from oncology units to administer drugs elsewhere, or patients with non-malignant conditions are admitted to the inpatient ward. Of great concern have been nurses who administer agents in other departments without receiving education on the safe administration and care of the patients receiving these drugs.

A team of ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Trainers have come together to develop a 4-hour course designed for nurses in other disciplines and those new to oncology.  Focus will be on the use of antineoplastic agents in cancer and non-malignant diseases, administration procedures, handling and disposal of hazardous drugs, patient education, and symptom management. Nurses who administer these drugs on a regular basis are encouraged to take a more comprehensive educational program.

Please note that attendees of the Treatment Basics Course will NOT receive an ONS Provider Card. This 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. The ONS Treatment Basics Course is designed to serve as an introduction to safe chemotherapy and biotherapy administration.