Delivering excellence in lymphoedema education

At ALERT, we provide skilled-based training to healthcare professionals in all aspects of lymphoedema assessment and management — from theory through to treatment.

The ALERT Education team at Macquarie University have worked extremely hard to re-design a comprehensive education program that meets the Australasian Lymphology Association’s (ALA) Competency Standards. The program has also been designed to form units which comply with Macquarie University’s micro credentialling and curriculum architecture frameworks.

The units are mapped to the ALA’s Competency Standards and include all learning needed to be accredited as a Lymphoedema Therapist in Australia relative to their discipline’s scope of practice.

Our integration with the treatment and research arms of ALERT means we have access to a team of highly qualified and experienced lymphoedema experts. Our training gives students access to cutting-edge scientific evidence, resources and technology.

Our vision is to be the premier provider of continuing professional development and post-graduate qualifications for health professionals in lymphoedema and chronic oedemas. The intended outcome of our program is to equip health professionals to improve the lives of people at risk of or living with lymphoedema and chronic oedemas.

The ALERT approach will:

  • shape the discipline
  • link research and clinical practice
  • be co-designed with colleagues and patients to translate the evidence and transform systems and practice
  • grow the evidence.
Foundation units
  • Principles of Lymphoedema Management
  • Contemporary Evidence in Lymphoedema Management
Regional units
  • Lymphoedema Practice for the Upper Limb, Breast and Trunk
  • Lymphoedema Practice for the Lower Limb, Genital and Abdomen Region
  • Lymphoedema Practice for the Head and Neck Region
ALERT Specialist units
  • Contemporary Evidence in Lymphoedema Management
  • Management of Wounds in People with Chronic Oedema
  • Wellness During Cancer Treatment and Beyond

The units are delivered via a range of learning activities including on-line, blended and face-to-face practical supplemented with student research, experiential learning and assessment tasks. The units can be studied in isolation as professional development or as a package of learning to become an accredited lymphoedema therapist. Students can progress at their own pace.

Recognition of Prior Learning may be available. There will be pre-requisite requirements in either previous training or discipline qualifications that must be undertaken for students to undertake specific units of study including regional units. As a minimum, students must satisfactorily complete the Foundation units or be recognised for learning before enrolling in regional or ALERT specialist units.

The total workload duration of each unit of study is equivalent to 5 university credit points which is estimated to be around 75 hours of learning and assessment.

Our partners

ALERT's education and research programs have three main corporate partners:

  • Impedimed — a global company and world leader in the design and manufacture of medical devices that use bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) technologies in non-invasive clinical assessment and monitoring of fluid status and tissue composition.
  • Essity — a world-leading organisation providing hygiene and healthcare solutions to improve people’s wellbeing.
  • Haddenham Healthcare — specialises in providing innovative solutions for the treatment of lymphoedema, chronic oedema and wound care.