SFH Oncology Massage-Certification Program

Credits

NHPC 15
CMMOTA 31
CRMTA 27
MTAS 29
MTAM 31
RMQ 31
ANQ 31
ANPQ 31
MTWPAM 31
CMTNL 13.5 (Cat A)
Australia: ATMS 31
CMTO complies to Strive Program
NCBTMB TBA
Society for Oncology Massage Recognized

Become Certified as an SFH Oncology Massage Therapist! The Only Canadian Oncology Course Available!

Cancer Rates and Survivorship are Rising!

There is an urgent need for knowledgeable and skilled healthcare practitioners capable of safely working with those affected.

This is essential training that all clinics should have.

Society of Oncology Massage Recognized!

 

Fundamentals of Oncology Massage Level 1 (one day)

Join us for the Level 1 Fundamentals of Oncology Massage course, designed to help you overcome any fear or misunderstanding about providing massage therapy to individuals living with cancer or who have undergone cancer treatments.

After this course, you will have the following:

      • Acquire knowledge of biomedical cancer treatments and the adaptations to pressure, site, duration, and position necessary to offer safe massage
      • Enhanced critical thinking skills necessary to work with a client with cancer
      • A checklist of how to recognize lymphedema and when to refer out
      • Introductory knowledge of integrative cancer care.

Increasing rates of cancer and survivorship require knowledgeable and skilled healthcare practitioners who can safely work with people with cancer. Fundamentals of Oncology Massage Level 1 will give you the foundation to confidently support oncology patients and cancer survivors.

This course is a prerequisite to the 3-day Oncology Soft Tissue Manipulation Level 2 course. Once both levels and the exam have been completed, you will be an  SFH Oncology Massage Certified therapist.


Oncology Soft Tissue Manipulation Level 2 (three days)

Prerequisite for Level 2: Fundamentals of Oncology Massage Level 1

(Unless you have recently taken an oncology course or previously taken the Massage for people living with Cancer course)

Become proficient with the manipulation of soft tissues in patients affected by cancer. The Oncology Soft Tissue Manipulation course is a 3-day long course predominately hands-on. Based on Canadian Cancer Society standards, this highly anticipated course provides all Health Care providers with the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively provide soft tissue manipulation. Addressing the fear and misunderstanding of providing soft tissue manipulation to individuals who have had a cancer diagnosis, participants will gain insight into the mechanism behind cancer spread and how, with proper assessment and adaptations, muscle and joint manipulations can be very beneficial to this population.   Scars that result from surgical incisions, medical devices (eg. drains inserted after surgery), as well as the broader tissue damage/scarring caused by radiation treatment, will be addressed, and you will learn how to assess a scar based on stages of healing and, with that information, how to best treat scars. The surgical scar portion of the course will be very detailed.


Podcast

Not sure if this course is for you? Our instructor has a series of podcasts that may help you decide if this is the right course for you! Check them out below.

Integrative Oncology Talk: Oncology Massage on Apple Podcasts

Beyond ”It Depends:” Oncology Massage (with Janet Penny, Rebecca Sturgeon, and Loretta Luchau) (thethinkingpractitioner.com)

Podcast episode 12: Oncology massage safety and considerations – Massage Therapy CanadaMassage Therapy Canada


SFH Certification requirements  

  • Students must be present for the whole duration of the course length to become certified.  
  • Students must participate and safely execute all hands-on components of the course.  
  • Students must pass the final written exam. 

Please note that the instructors can ask the students to execute any hands-on component at any time. Refusal will deny you from the exam process and your certification.  

SFH instructors can refuse students from writing the final exam if they feel that the participant cannot safely perform the material despite adequate training.  

Although taking the exam is not mandatory to obtain credits from your association, certain insurance companies may insist on it as a prerequisite for covering your practice in this therapy. As a result, it’s recommended that you verify with your insurance provider to determine their criteria.

Exam: Within three days of course completion, Seminars for Health will send students an email with a link to access the online exam. You will have 14 days of access to complete your exam, starting when you sign up. Upon passing (>70%),  log in to your online account to obtain your certificate. To view the digital certificate, navigate to your online account.

Remember to submit your certificates to your association to receive credit.


Benefits of Being an SFH Certified Therapist

It demonstrates your comprehension of the course material to a level where the certifying body is assured that you can safely integrate their teachings into your professional practice.

Certain insurance companies may insist you write an exam and be certified as a prerequisite for covering your practice in this therapy.

Being certified gives you confidence that you understand the material to put it into your practice safely.

By obtaining certification, you can confidently advertise to your clients that you are officially SFH certified.

Acquiring certification boosts your level of expertise among colleagues in your profession.


What Distinguishes “proof of attendance” from “Certification”?

Upon completion of our courses, students receive “proof of attendance”, which entitles them to the designated credits approved by their association. There’s no need to take an exam for getting continued education credits.

In contrast, students have the option to obtain certification by passing our exam. Upon passing all required exams, they’ll receive an SFH certificate that acknowledges they have met all the necessary requirements to become a “Certified Therapist.” Some insurance companies do require certification for coverage.  It is recommended that you verify with your insurance provider to determine their criteria.  


Looking for CEUs only

You can still receive your credits if you choose not to become certified. 


Who qualifies to take this course?

All healthcare providers who work directly with oncology patients are welcome to take this course. Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Nursing staff, Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists, Athletic therapists, Manual Osteopaths, Osteopaths, Myotherapists, and Kinesiologists.

2nd Year Massage Therapy students who have completed Pathology are welcome.


Who is the Instructor?

Janet Penny Seminars for Health Instructor

Janet Penny, RMT and co-author of Oncology Massage:  An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care (Handspring 2021, use discount code to get 20% off JPOM24) is instructing the SFH Oncology Massage Program for Seminars for Health. Janet has been practicing as a massage therapist in Ottawa, Ontario, since 2007. She is fascinated by the resiliency of the human body and all it goes through.

Janet’s massage practice focuses on working with people with cancer.  Her treatment approach addresses the multi-faceted needs of oncology massage clients, including pre-and post-surgical treatments, scar tissue, radiation fibrosis, neuropathy, and pain within the complex context of the client’s emotions that pervade and influence the body.


Course eligible for Canada-Alberta Job Grant


Copyright Policy 

This course contains proprietary information. None of the material in this course may be used without the explicit consent of Seminars for Health. Including paraphrasing or altered versions. Canadian copyright laws protect all Seminars for Health content. In addition, Seminars for Health reserves the right to pursue legal action against any illegal distributions or presentations of any items listed above.  

© 2022 Seminars for Health Inc., All rights reserved

I recently had the opportunity to attend the in-person course on Oncology Massage offered by Seminars for Health (SFH), taught by the incredible instructor, Janet Penny. I must say, it was an exceptional experience that exceeded my expectations.

From the moment I walked into the course, I could feel the passion and expertise that Janet Penny brought to the table. Her extensive knowledge in the field of Oncology Massage was evident throughout the entire course. She presented the material in a clear, concise manner, making it easy for everyone to grasp even the most complex concepts.

What truly stood out was Janet’s ability to create a supportive and nurturing learning environment. She fostered an atmosphere where questions were encouraged, and each participant’s unique perspective was valued. Janet’s compassion and understanding towards individuals with oncology conditions were remarkable. She provided us with the necessary tools and techniques to adapt our massage practice to meet the specific needs of oncology patients, ensuring their comfort, safety, and well-being.

The course content itself was comprehensive and practical. We covered a wide range of topics, including the physiological and psychological aspects of cancer, side effects of treatments, contraindications, and appropriate massage techniques. Janet Penny skillfully guided us through hands-on demonstrations and practice sessions, allowing us to gain confidence and proficiency in providing oncology massage.

Additionally, the course materials provided by SFH were top-notch. They were well-organized, easy to follow, and served as valuable resources both during the course and for future reference. SFH’s commitment to providing quality educational materials was evident, and it greatly enhanced the learning experience.

I cannot stress enough how valuable this course has been for my practice. The knowledge and skills I gained from Janet Penny and SFH will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the way I approach and deliver massage therapy to oncology patients. I now feel equipped to make a positive difference in their lives and contribute to their overall well-being.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Oncology Massage course offered by Seminars for Health, specifically taught by Janet Penny, to any massage therapist seeking to specialize in this field. The course exceeded my expectations in every aspect, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it. Thank you, Janet Penny, and Seminars for Health, for providing such an exceptional learning experience.

SFH Oncology Certification Program

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