Lymphoedema accreditation training

1. Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 7 bachelor's qualification in a health degree or recognised equivalent.
2. Current registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or international equivalent.
3. Current professional indemnity insurance (either from student’s workplace or held personally).
4. This unit is taught in English, so all students must be proficient in English. For more information, students can visit Macquarie University’s guidelines on English Language Requirements.
5. If a student does not have points 1 and 2 above they will need to complete the specialist unit Fundamentals of Lymphoedema Management: Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology.

At the successful completion of this training you will be an accredited lymphoedema therapist and you will be able to:

1. explain the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system including principles of microcirculation
2. define and differentiate between types of oedemas
3. apply knowledge and skills to plan a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan for a person at risk of or living with lymphoedema and chronic oedemas using latest evidence
4. interpret assessment findings and use clinical reasoning to develop an evidence-based person-centred intervention plan
5. explain the revised anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and teachings from ICG lymphography
6. define the prospective surveillance and early intervention model of care in cancer rehabilitation and how this can be integrated into healthcare settings
7. discuss individual and societal impact of lymphoedema and chronic oedema models of care and how latest imaging assessments can change clinical practice
8. demonstrate evidenced based best practice management skills for the assessment and management of treating lymphoedema of the upper limb and breast, lower limb and genital regions
9. demonstrate safe, effective, patient-centred skills and competencies in delivering high standard of lymphoedema assessment and management strategies for treating lymphoedema of the upper limb and breast, lower limb and genital regions
10. adapt assessment and intervention plans to meet needs of individuals from distinct social and/or cultural groups to ensure culturally respectful care for people with lymphoedema of the upper limb and breast, and
11. use feedback from teachers, clinicians, peers and patients to inform self-evaluation and critical reflection of knowledge and skill development.

Louise Koelmeyer

Louise is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of clinical experience in both public and private settings specialising in breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management. As Director at Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) program Louise is involved in strategically managing and developing the education, research and treatment arms of the innovative multidisciplinary program. Her particular area of interest is on the early prospective surveillance model of care in early detection and management of lymphoedema and innovative advances in management.

Louise has been leading and teaching in the ALERT Education program since 2017 including offering ALA accredited programs under the ALERT banner. She develops and presents education workshops and advanced skill-based units on all aspects of assessment and management of lymphoedema locally, nationally and internationally. Her particular area of interest is on the prospective surveillance and early intervention model of care for the early detection and management of lymphoedema as well as innovative advances in conservative and surgical management.

Louise’s clinical interests and expertise are in developing a therapeutic relationship with individuals and personalising treatment programs that support the individual’s needs and goals to achieve positive outcomes.

Louise is a current member of the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA), Australian Society of Breast Diseases (ASBD) and the Lymphoedema Action Alliance (LAA).

Sally Kava

Sally Kava is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of clinical experience in both public and private settings specialising in lymphoedema in all areas of assessment, education, and treatment. Sally has formal teaching qualifications and has over 11 years’ experience in delivering lymphoedema training courses in all practical aspects of CLT lymphoedema management.

Sally is a member of the Australasian Lymphology Association, the NSW Lymphoedema Professionals Group and the Lymphoedema Practitioners Group.

Dr Belinda Thompson

Belinda Thompson joined the ALERT program in 2019 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Her role involves conducting and supporting research into methods for early detection, diagnosis and intervention for lymphoedema. In 2020 Belinda became an accredited lymphoedema therapist having completed the ALERT Level 1 Lymphoedema Accreditation Course. Belinda is also on the ALERT Education Strategic Planning Committee whose role is to develop the content for the new accredited modules to align with the ALA Competency Standards. She is the team leader for the Foundation units.

Belinda has been involved in research since 2012 and has completed a PhD in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Newcastle. She has also completed Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation) and is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with more than six years of experience providing exercise interventions in a clinical setting. Belinda combines her research experience and clinical skills to provide evidence to support best practice to improve outcomes in patients with lymphoedema.

Belinda is a member of the European College of Sport Science, International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry, and Sports Medicine Australia.

Robbie Blackwell

Robbie is an occupational therapist and lymphoedema therapist. Robbie has experience as a lymphoedema therapist and in private rehabilitation occupational therapy. Robbie has been acting in the role of ICG clinic coordinator for the past 12 months, aiming to maximise outcomes of patients attending for ICG lymphography. She continues to see a range of lymphoedema and lipedema patients through her role in the MQ Health lymphoedema conservative clinic. Robbie believes in empowering patients with knowledge regarding their condition and working collaboratively with them to devise treatment plans that are both evidence-based and patient-focused.

In February 2020 Robbie delivered content and provided practical hands-on training as part of the ALERT Level 1 Lymphoedema Accreditation Course for 30 students. She is also on the ALERT Education Strategic Planning Committee whose role is to develop the content for the new accredited modules to align with the ALA Competency Standards.

Robbie is a member of the Australasian Lymphology Association and Occupational Therapy Australia. She also serves on the sub-committee for Lymphoedema Support Group of NSW.

Fiona Tisdall Blake

Fiona is a physiotherapist with experience in a broad range of clinical settings including private practice, occupational health and hospital settings in Australia and the United Kingdom. A qualified lymphoedema therapist, Fiona brings extensive experience in orthopaedic, neurological and spinal surgery rehabilitation to her management of lymphoedema. Fiona is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA).

Fiona joined the ALERT Program in 2017 and qualified as a lymphoedema therapist in 2016 through the ALERT Level 1 Lymphoedema Accreditation Course. As a qualified lymphoedema therapist, Fiona brings extensive experience in orthopaedic, neurological and spinal surgery rehabilitation to her management of lymphoedema. Fiona is also on the ALERT Education Strategic Planning Committee whose role is to develop the content for the new accredited units to align with the ALA Competency Standards.  She is the team leader for the Upper and Lower Limb units.

Fiona is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the Australasian Lymphology Association.

Kim Toyer

Kim is a physiotherapist with over 25 years experience in varied roles from rehabilitation, oncology and continence therapies. Training as a lymphoedema therapist in 2008 brought an exciting opportunity to use her previous skills in helping people recover from cancer treatment as well as managing their lymphoedema. Kim's passion is helping people to feel whole after cancer treatment, or when they're dealing with a chronic health condition, by focusing on exercise and healthy lifestyle. Kim joined the MQ Health Lymphoedema team in early 2018.

Kim’s passion is helping people to feel whole after cancer treatment, or when they’re dealing with a chronic health condition, by focusing on exercise and healthy lifestyle.

Kim is a member of the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA). She sits on the Board of Directors, is chair of the Finance Committee and is a member of the Membership Committee.

Dr Sharon Czerniec

Sharon Czerniec is a physiotherapist and lymphoedema therapist with a clinical and research focus on lymphoedema and post-cancer rehabilitation. She completed a PhD on the assessment of breast cancer-related arm lymphoedema through the University of Sydney with the support of a National Breast Cancer Foundation Doctoral Scholarship. Sharon joined the ALERT program in 2018 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow before moving in 2019 to the Department of Health Professions as a Lecturer.

In her academic roles Sharon has been involved in teaching and research at the University of Sydney, the Australian Catholic University and now Macquarie University. She has published widely on lymphoedema, with a focus on assessment using bioimpedance spectroscopy, but also on the tissue changes associated with lymphoedema progression and the impacts of lymphoedema on function and quality of life.

Sharon is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) and the Clinical Oncology Association of Australia (COSA).

Yvonne Ferguson

Yvonne Ferguson is a registered physiotherapist in New Zealand, who is passionate about delivering lymphoedema management and treatment programs in New Zealand.  Over the last 5 years she has run Level 1 and 2 programs and her desire is to see every region in New Zealand offering excellent services in the management and treatment of lymphoedema. Yvonne heads up the ALA Equity Working Party in New Zealand, working to see change in services offered and funding for compression garments for all, that is fair and not based on geographical location.

Yvonne has worked for many years for the Nelson-Marlborough District Health Board, specialising in women’s health since 1995, after completing a Physiotherapy Diploma in Women’s Health.  After completing Level 1 Management and Treatment of Lymphoedema in 2003, and later Level 2, she commenced running a lymphoedema clinic for the region. Yvonne also completed  the Certified Lymphoedema Therapist Training in Colorado USA with Klose Lymphoedema Training, as preparation for running national courses in New Zealand.

Yvonne has over 17 years of experience in all aspects of lymphoedema management, organising and bringing presenters from Australia prior to starting Lymphoedema Consulting and Training in New Zealand. She is an Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) member and for the last five years has been an ALA Accredited Provider, as well as being registered on the National Lymphology Practitioners Register (NLPR) since its inception.

Cost for 2021 is $4,000 plus GST. Fees must be paid in Australian dollars by credit card. If your workplace will be funding your participation and is unable to pay by credit card, please write to ALERT education at alerteducation@mq.edu.au to request an invoice for payment by direct deposit.

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are included. Please advise of any special dietary requirements as part of your registration.

To register:

1. follow the 'register now' link to sign up
2. secure your place by paying either the deposit of $1000 plus GST or the full amount $4,000 plus GST. If you elect to pay the deposit please note that the balance is due 1 month prior to the commencement of the course. Please note that registration is only confirmed once full payment is made
3. receive your receipt, confirmation of enrolment and pre-reading via email once payment has been finalised
4. email to alerteducation@mq.edu.au your current registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or international equivalent
5. email to alerteducation@mq.edu.au your current professional indemnity insurance (either from student’s workplace or held personally).

Cancellations more than three weeks before the training date when you have not yet begun the online learning units incur a non-refundable administration fee of $50 (including GST), which will be taken out of your refund. Alternatively, enrolment can be transferred to another training program without incurring a cancellation fee. No refund will be given if cancellation is made within three weeks of the start date.

If you have started or completed the online learning modules, you will have the option of transferring to another training program date.  However, any refund requested will exclude the cost of the online modules which are $1000 + GST per module.

This training program will be governed by the NSW Government COVID-19 guidelines and the MQ’s stringent COVID-19 guidelines.  If you are travelling from interstate and are unable to attend due to border closures, you can either transfer your deposit or full payment to another training program or apply for a refund. To do this please contact alerteducation@mq.edu.au.

This training session will be conducted in the Department of Health Professions in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University.

• Address:
  Luxottica Building
  Ground Floor
  75 Talavera Road
  Macquarie University NSW 2109
• Accommodation: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/campus-services-and-facilities/macquarie-university-accommodation
• Transport: https://www.mq.edu.au/study/why-study-here/studying-in-sydney-australia/transport
• Parking: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/contacts-and-maps/getting-to-macquarie/parking