ALARM (Advances in Labour and Risk Management) is a two-day certification course, hosted by the McMaster Midwifery Program and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). The content of the course is evidence-based and incorporates the Canadian practice guidelines, so participants who complete the course gain an understanding of the latest best practices for providing care.

Target Audience

Midwifery students, Residents in Family Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Midwives, Family Physicians, and Nurses who work with pregnant persons.

Objectives

The ALARM course objective is to evaluate, update and maintain the competence of obstetricians/gynecologists, family physicians, midwives and nurses.

Pre-Requisite

Must be a Level 3 midwifery student, family or OB resident, or registered midwife, physician, or nurse.

Upcoming Dates

• Spring 2025 – Dates TBD

Location

McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 3L8

Cancellation Policy

Please note: The university reserves the right to cancel an activity due to any circumstances that are beyond our control.  Any registrant cancellations received a minimum of 14 days before the event start date will be refunded less a 25% administrative fee to a maximum of $50.00.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date.  When a cancellation occurs due to illness or extenuating circumstances less than 14 days from the course start date, your name will be added to a waitlist and you will be contacted for dates that become available on short notice.  We are unable to guarantee that a replacement spot will become available.

Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca with any questions or to be added to our ALARM notification list.

The Program

This asynchronous online course provides essential skills and foundational information related to counselling for contraception, reproductive physiology, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception including intrauterine contraceptive devices, medication abortion and sterilization. The course was designed by Midwives and Obstetricians to provide inter-professional perspectives.

Participants will complete modules, including quizzes and a final examination. A certificate of completion will be issued following successful score on the final exam. This online course is a pre-requisite for Contraceptive Care Part 2: A Continuing Education Course for Healthcare Providers, a clinical practicum that provides one-to-one mentorship for placement of intrauterine contraceptive devices.  Registration for this practicum must be completed separately.

Target Audience

Midwives, Family Physicians, Residents, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants

Objectives

Participants will gain knowledge and skills to be able to provide contraceptive care including:

• counselling skills and care planning
• history taking
• screening and treatment options related to contraception
• medication abortion, and
• sexually transmitted infections

Course Fee

$550+HST = $621.50

Upcoming Dates

January to June 2025

Register

Register for Contraceptive Care Part 1: January to June 2025 through the CC1 registration portal.

Cancellation Policy

Please note: The university reserves the right to cancel an activity due to any circumstances that are beyond our control.  Any registrant cancellations received a minimum of 14 days before the event start date will be refunded less a 25% administrative fee to a maximum of $50.00.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date.  When a cancellation occurs due to illness or extenuating circumstances less than 14 days from the course start date, your name will be added to a waitlist and you will be contacted for dates that become available on short notice.  We are unable to guarantee that a replacement spot will become available.

Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca with any questions.

Contraceptive Care is a clinical practicum for learning intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) insertion. Foundational knowledge and understanding for this placement is provided in the pre-requisite continuing education course, Contraceptive Care Part 1: Continuing Education for Healthcare Providers. Participants must have successfully completed a pre-requisite course before participating in the clinical component in Part 2.

This second component – Contraceptive Care Part 2 (taken at an additional cost from Part 1) – has two (2) elements:

• Asynchronous learning on Avenue to Learn focused on application of content learned in the pre-requisite course.
• 2 days of mentorship and supervision in the clinical setting.

You will receive one-to-one model-based demonstration with discussion, you will observe and participate in the procedure with step-by-step instruction by a preceptor, and finally you will successfully participate in a minimum of 5 independent IUCD insertions with clients. A certificate of completion will be issued following successful demonstration of clinical competency.

Target Audience

Midwives, Family Physicians, Residents, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants. Participants are required to be registered in good standing with their regulatory body during the practicum component of the course.

Objectives

Participants will gain knowledge and skills necessary for the placement of intrauterine contraceptive devices. Upon completion of the course, the learner will:

• Understand considerations for counselling for IUCD
• Understand elements of patient history impacting contraceptive device selection
• Understand elements of patient education related to sexual health
• Recognize essential elements of physical examination for IUCD placement
• Demonstrate comprehensive counselling for IUCD placement
• Demonstrate components of a medical history impacting contraceptive device selection
• Demonstrate STI and sexual health education
• Demonstrate appropriate STI screening and treatment
• Demonstrate proper IUCD placement
• Demonstrate understanding of appropriate follow up for routine and urgent care following IUCD placement

Course Fee

$800 + HST = $904.

Pre-Requisite for Registration

Successful completion of Contraceptive Care Part 1: Continuing Education Course for Healthcare Providers. Other pre-requisite courses may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca

Upcoming Dates

All of our current Contraceptive Care Part 2 offerings are on Wednesdays and Thursdays:

• November 20 & 21, 2024
• November 27 & 28, 2024 – SOLD OUT
• December 4 & 5, 2024 – SOLD OUT
• December 11&12, 2024 – SOLD OUT
• December 18 &19, 2024 – SOLD OUT
• January 15 &16, 2025 – SOLD OUT
• February 5 & 6, 2025 – SOLD OUT
• February 12 &13, 2025 – SOLD OUT
• March 5 & 6, 2025 – SOLD OUT

Register

If you have a CC1 certificate of completion, or program approval for an alternate prerequisite: Register for any of our available Contraceptive Care Part 2 dates through the CC2 registration portal.

Location

67 Kenilworth Avenue North, Lower Level, Hamilton ON Canada

Cancellation policy

Please note: The university reserves the right to cancel an activity due to any circumstances that are beyond our control.  Any registrant cancellations received a minimum of 14 days before the event start date will be refunded less a 25% administrative fee to a maximum of $50.00.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date.  When a cancellation occurs due to illness or extenuating circumstances less than 14 days from the course start date, your name will be added to a waitlist and you will be contacted for dates that become available on short notice.  We are unable to guarantee that a replacement spot will become available.

Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca with any questions or to be added to the notification list for future dates.

FHSL-Full course 

The Program

The Fetal Health Surveillance Education Program is offered online and in-person. Learners are required to:

1. review the online self-learning fetal health surveillance manual (UBC CPD e-learning site)
2. complete an online examination (UBC CPD e-learning site) no more than 30 days before step 3
3. attend an in-person workshop.

Target Audience

The education program is designed for nurses, physicians and midwives who have not previously completed this course or completed it more than 2 years ago.

 Objectives

• Describe various methods of intrapartum fetal assessment with emphasis on intermittent auscultation and electronic fetal surveillance.
• Explain maternal-fetal physiology and pathophysiology.
• Discuss the clinical management of FHR interpretation.
• Identify strategies to mitigate risks through improved interdisciplinary communication, collaboration and management.

Upcoming Dates

• Wednesday, December 11, 2024 – 9am to 3pm

Private Workshops are available for groups of 5 or more.  Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca to make arrangements.

Course Fee

• $300 + HST = $339
• Student Rate: $125 + HST = $141.25  Student spots are limited.  If no student rate is visible on the payment platform, then all available student spots have been filled.

Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca with any questions, or to be added to the notification list for future dates.

Register 

Register for our upcoming FHSL Full workshop, through our FHSL Full Registration Portal.

Cancellation Policy

Please note: If a minimum number of participants are not registered 7 days prior to the event, the event will be cancelled and participants will be given an option to reschedule or receive a refund.  The university reserves the right to cancel an activity due to any circumstances that are beyond our control.  Any registrant cancellations received a minimum of 14 days before the event start date will be refunded less a 25% administrative fee to a maximum of $50.00.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date.  When a cancellation occurs due to illness or extenuating circumstances less than 14 days from the course start date, your name will be added to a waitlist and you will be contacted for dates that become available on short notice.  We are unable to guarantee that a replacement spot will become available.

FHSL-Refresher

The Program

The Fetal Health Surveillance Education Program Refresher course is offered online. Learners are required to:

1. review the online self-learning fetal health surveillance manual (UBC CPD e-learning site)
2. complete an online examination (UBC CPD e-learning site) no more than 30 days before step 3 and
3. attend a virtual and/or in-person workshop

Please note – the refresher sessions are for individuals who have taken the full FHSL or the refresher FHSL course within the past 2 years.

Target Audience

The education program is designed for nurses, physicians and midwives that have completed FHSL Full or FHSL Refresher within the past 2 years.

Objectives

• Describe various methods of intrapartum fetal assessment with emphasis on intermittent auscultation and electronic fetal surveillance.
• Explain maternal-fetal physiology and pathophysiology.
• Discuss the clinical management of FHR interpretation.
• Identify strategies to mitigate risks through improved interdisciplinary communication, collaboration and management.

Upcoming Dates

Dates TBD.  If you would like to be added to our notification list for upcoming FHSL Refresher announcements, email mepconed@mcmaster.ca

Private Workshops are available for groups of 5 or more.  Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca to make arrangements.

Cancellation Policy

Please note: If a minimum number of participants are not registered 7 days prior to the event, the event will be cancelled and participants will be given an option to reschedule or receive a refund.  The university reserves the right to cancel an activity due to any circumstances that are beyond our control.  Any registrant cancellations received a minimum of 14 days before the event start date will be refunded less a 25% administrative fee to a maximum of $50.00.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date.  When a cancellation occurs due to illness or extenuating circumstances less than 14 days from the course start date, your name will be added to a waitlist and you will be contacted for dates that become available on short notice.  We are unable to guarantee that a replacement spot will become available.

The Program

NRP is an educational program that introduces the concepts and skills of neonatal resuscitation. In Canada, NRP is administered by the Canadian Paediatric Society and is designed to teach individuals and teams who may be required to resuscitate newborn babies. NRP course content is evidence-based and delivered across Canada. It consists of an online and in-person component. Learners are required to:

1) review the NRP Textbook

2) complete an online examination (no more than 30 days before step 3)

3) attend an in-person workshop

Target Audience

Any licensed or regulated health professional (or student of a licensed or regulated health profession) that is expected to participate in neonatal resuscitation.

Objectives

Introduce participants to the following concepts of neonatal resuscitation in a stimulated, inter-professional learning environment:

• Foundations of neonatal resuscitation
• Preparing for resuscitation
• Initial steps of newborn care
• Positive pressure ventilation
• Alternative airways: endotracheal tubes and laryngeal masks
• Chest compression
• Medications
• Post-resuscitation care
• Special considerations
• Ethics at the end of life

Upcoming Dates 

• Monday, September 2, 2024 – 9am to 4pm – PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A HOLIDAY. – SOLD OUT
• Friday, September 6, 2024 – 9am to 4pm – SOLD OUT
• Monday, September 16, 2024 – 9am to 4pm – SOLD OUT
• Friday, September 20, 2024 – 9am to 4pm – SOLD OUT
• Saturday, November 16, 2024 – 9am to 4pm – SOLD OUT

Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca with any questions, or to be added to the notification list for future dates.

Private Workshops are available for groups of 4 or more.  Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca to make arrangements.

Course Fee

• $250+HST = $282.50
• Student fee $100+HST = $113. Student spots are limited.  If no student rate is visible on the payment platform, then all available student spots have been filled.
• Please note the cost of the textbook and exam fee are not included in the course fees.

Register

All of our current NRP offerings are Sold Out.  Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca if you would like to be added to a wait list for cancellations for a specific date.

Cancellation Policy

Please note: If a minimum number of participants are not registered 7 days prior to the event, the event will be cancelled and participants will be given an option to reschedule or receive a refund.  The university reserves the right to cancel an activity due to any circumstances that are beyond our control.  Any registrant cancellations received a minimum of 14 days before the event start date will be refunded less a 25% administrative fee to a maximum of $50.00.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date.  When a cancellation occurs due to illness or extenuating circumstances less than 14 days from the course start date, your name will be added to a waitlist and you will be contacted for dates that become available on short notice.  We are unable to guarantee that a replacement spot will become available.

The Program

This course was designed to provide training in entry-level skills for point of care ultrasound for primary maternity care. The course will review the physics of ultrasound, anatomy and physiology of the normal gravid pelvis and will emphasize the sonographic technique, normal appearances, and ethical and professional responsibilities.

Target Audience

Family Physicians, Midwives and Physician Assistants

Objectives

Participants in this course will:

• gain knowledge and skills to be able to analyze and interpret the sonographic appearance of the normal gravid and non-gravid pelvis in keeping with the scope of point of care assessment
• be able to perform point of care sonographic examination using the transabdominal approach.

More Information

Learn more about POCUS by visiting the course brochure.

Upcoming Dates 

Dates TBD – If you would like to be added to the notification list for upcoming announcements, please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca

Registration

For course inquiries please email centreforprofessionaladvancement@mohawkcollege.ca

If you require assistance registering for the course, please email cehealth@mohawkcollege.ca

A note for Students in the Master of Science in Midwifery

This continuing education course has some crossover with MIDWIF 711 Point of Care Ultrasound in Maternity Care, an elective course available to students in the Master of Science in Midwifery program. MSc Midwifery students who have completed this continuing education course within the last two years may be eligible for advanced standing in MIDWIF 711 but should contact the MSc Midwifery program before enrolling in this continuing education course for further details.

The Program

An online workshop for new preceptors. This workshop is for all midwives planning to become preceptors and is required to supervise junior midwifery students.  

Target Audience

All midwives in the SOA and GOA who will be precepting – or involved with – a Normal Childbearing (NC) student this year.  Preceptors that have not completed the workshop in recent years.

Objectives

• Understand MEP policies and course requirements
• Develop skills in teaching, evaluation, and feedback

Upcoming Dates 

Dates TBD – If you would like to be added to the notification list for upcoming announcements, please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca

The Program

The Ontario MEP is actively integrating anti-oppressive pedagogy into our curriculum and is committed to supporting preceptors to have the knowledge and skills to integrate anti-oppressive practice into their teaching. This two-part workshop normally only open to midwifery preceptors in Ontario, is now being offered to midwifery preceptors from all other provinces and territories, as well as international midwifery preceptors.  All current midwifery preceptors in Ontario will be expected to complete this workshop. Moving forward, completion of this workshop will be a requirement in advance of student placements for new preceptors in Ontario

Part 1 – Dismantling the Student-Preceptor Relationship. The student-preceptor relationship is critical to student success and future development of the profession. Moving beyond dominant modes of precepting requires critical reflection, self-awareness and a commitment to embracing innovative pedagogies. This interactive workshop is a thoughtful examination of the current culture of precepting and how to transform the role of the midwifery preceptor as an agent of anti-oppressive practice. Supporting reading material will be sent out in advance to contextualize the topics. This session will serve as the prerequisite for Part 2.

Part 2 – Re-Building the Student-Preceptor Relationship. With the foundational knowledge acquired in Part 1, this workshop emphasizes the practical application of approaches to address three concentric areas of oppression that impact on the student-preceptor relationship. Join us to put skills into practice for reconstructing this relationship through the re-definition of new norms and standards of anti-oppressive behaviour that address overt and covert precepting challenges.

Target Audience

This preceptor education program is open globally to all midwifery preceptors internationally and across Canada.  This program is mandatory for any Ontario midwife who is or will be precepting midwifery students in the consortium.

Objectives

• Identify and discuss the desirable qualities, actions, and attitudes of midwifery preceptors through individual brainstorming and group discussion.
• Explain the difference between critical reflection and critical reflexivity by applying these techniques to your own precepting through case study analysis.
• Examine how transformative pedagogy can be applied to your efforts to dismantle and rebuild the midwifery preceptor-student dyad.
• Develop anti-racist anti-oppressive skills when giving and receiving feedback.

Upcoming Dates 

• Friday, September 20th, 2024 
• Friday, November 1st, 2024
• Friday, January 24th, 2025
• Friday March 21st, 2025

Ontario midwives are expected to attend both parts of the workshop.  If you have attended one part, you may drop into the outstanding part.  Please take note of the start time for the part you wish to attend and drop into the meeting in a timely manner.

• Part 1: 10am to 11:40am EST
• Part 2: 11:50am to 1:30pm EST

Course Fee

• This course is free for Ontario midwifery preceptors.
• $150 – International participants
• $150 + HST or GST – participants from Canadian provinces and territories other than Ontario

Registration

Space is limited in this workshop and in high demand. If you have registered and find you are no longer able to attend, please notify us as soon as possible, as there are often many people on the wait list for workshops.

If you are an Ontario Midwife, please register through our Ontario Midwives registration portal.

If you are a Midwife from provinces or territories outside of Ontario, or an international Midwife, please register through our Out-of-Province Midwives registration portal.

Please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca with any questions or to be added to our notification list.

The Program

This course was developed to provide training in a Canadian context for entry-level skills for the surgical assistant with a focus on obstetrics. The course has three components:

1. Pre-workshop modules – accessed through UBC CPD e-learning.  A $200 fee is required.
2. In-person workshop – a two-day, hands-on skill development workshop, and
3. Clinical practicum – completion of clinical competencies under the supervision of surgical preceptors in the participants home community.

Target Audience

Family Physicians, Midwives, Nurses, and Physician Assistants

Objectives

An entry-level training course for the Surgical Assistant with a focus on obstetrics. Core content includes:

• roles and responsibilities of the obstetric team
• patient safety
• review of anatomy
• asepsis
• instrument identification and handling
• tissue handling
• complications
• pharmacology

More Information

Learn more about our Surgical Assist course by visiting our Course Brochure.

Course Fee

$1150 + HST = $1299.50

Upcoming Dates

Dates TBD – If you would like to be added to the notification list for upcoming announcements, please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca

A note for Students in the Master of Science in Midwifery

This continuing education course has some crossover with MIDWIF 712 Surgical Assistant in Obstetrics: C-Section, an elective course available to students in the Master of Science in Midwifery program. MSc Midwifery students who have completed this continuing education course within the last two years may be eligible for advanced standing in MIDWIF 712 but should contact the MSc Midwifery program before enrolling in this continuing education course for further details.

Cancellation policy

Please note: The university reserves the right to cancel an activity due to any circumstances that are beyond our control.  Any registrant cancellations received a minimum of 14 days before the event start date will be refunded less a 25% administrative fee to a maximum of $50.00.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date.  When a cancellation occurs due to illness or extenuating circumstances less than 14 days from the course start date, your name will be added to a waitlist and you will be contacted for dates that become available on short notice.  We are unable to guarantee that a replacement spot will become available.

If you are interested in future offerings please email mepconed@mcmaster.ca