Anti-cancer drug course specific information (ADAC stream)

The Anti-cancer Drug Administration Course (ADAC) – formerly known as the Antineoplastic Drug Administration Course – is one of the most popular and widely implemented eviQ Education courses.

ADAC provides standardised education and training to equip health professionals to develop the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to administer anti-cancer drugs and safely handle hazardous drugs and related waste. The course consists of online learning and assessment supported by a clinical skills workshop.

As part of the suite of anti-cancer drug courses, there is a version of ADAC for paediatric cancer nurses, and a pharmacy anti-cancer drug course supporting pharmacists to work safely with anti-cancer drugs and the patients receiving them.

Each anti-cancer drug course has a learner/facilitator FAQ document with detailed information and guidelines for facilitators (available via the toolbox). For instance, the ADAC v4 FAQ includes information about the course structure and exit points. Please refer to these documents for detailed ADAC stream questions.

Reassessment supports nurse facilitators to evaluate learners’ continuing maintenance of clinical skills in handling and administering anti-cancer drugs, following completion of ADAC.

Generally, services undergo annual or biennial reassessment of clinical competency. Reassessment is recommended in the following circumstances:

 

  • to maintain competency (e.g. annually or biennially)
  • when new agents, protocols or equipment are introduced
  • when procedures change.

For more information, see the Reassessment page.

Each eLearning module includes an estimated completion time. This is based on the average time for learners – however please note that everyone is different, and this will differ across individuals.

The timing of completion of in-person components will be based on your local facility timeframes and workloads.

For ADAC, we have observed that 6-12 months is a reasonable average timeframe for registered nursing staff to learn the key skills required to safely administer anti-cancer drugs. This timeframe is dependent on your learning needs and the capacity of your individual facility. Your local ADAC facilitator can provide more information and indicative timeframes.

Consult with your facility (nurse educator or facilitator) about what is required for your scope of practice. They can suggest a learning pathway to support the development of knowledge and clinical skills relevant to your specific role. This is not dictated by eviQ Education.

 

Before completing ADAC, Paediatric ADAC or the Pharmacy Anti-cancer Drug Course, it is recommended to complete introductory foundational courses, such as Oncology Basics or Introduction to Haematology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation. However, these courses are not mandatory.

 

Some common examples of local prerequisites include:

 

  • demonstrated patient assessment skills
  • demonstrated patient teaching skills
  • proficiency in intravenous (IV) administration of medications
  • proficiency in management of central venous access devices (CVADs)
  • proficiency in venepuncture
  • other courses in the eviQ Education systemic anti-cancer drug learning pathway.

eviQ Education and the Cancer Institute NSW do NOT recommend or decide if endorsed enrolled nurses can check an antineoplastic drug order. This is determined by your local facility.

If EENs do check orders, it is recommended that they complete appropriate ADAC modules and practical assessments to ensure competency.