About this Program
Delivery Method
Virtual or In person delivery dependent on facilitator and region.
Program Fee $45 | See Details
The focus of the Essential Pain Management (EPM) program is on the Pharmacological Management of Pain. Pain assessment, management, and evaluation are foundational skills for nurses working in any practice setting. EPM aims to equip nurses with a foundational knowledge base and skills around pain management, from a palliative care approach, that can be applied to their practice.
Prerequisites
Must be an NP, RN or RPN.
Intended Audience
EPM is designed to benefit and appeal to all classes of nurses who care for adults living with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses. It allows you set your own learning pace as you enhance foundational knowledge, interact with evidence-informed tools and resources to complete case-based activities, and engage in one or more coaching sessions designed to be responsive to your individual pain-related learning needs.

Why EPM?
- Peer-reviewed, evidence-informed and up-to-date course content
- Facilitation and mentorship by experienced local palliative care nurse consultants
- Successful completion of EPM prepares learners to meet the palliative care competencies for Nurses as outlined in:
- Ontario Palliative Care Competency Framework
- Canadian Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Competency Framework
EPM Course
You will have a minimum of six weeks to complete the course. To receive an EPM certificate, you must:
- complete the four modules online, and,
- Attend one 90-minute, mandatory online coaching session. The option to engage in multiple coaching sessions is left to your discretion.
Full Participation is mandatory to receive a certificate.
EPM Objectives
You will have a minimum of six weeks to complete the course. To receive an EPM certificate, you must:
- identify a palliative approach to pain management and how this differs from other forms of pain management (Note: course content does not focus on primary chronic pain)
- describe common challenges, myths and misunderstandings that pose potential barriers to providing pain management, particularly when caring for persons from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- understand the pathophysiology of the pain pathways in order to understand the approaches to palliating pain.
- use evidence informed strategies and tools to complete pain assessment based on the unique needs of the person and practice setting.
- demonstrate effective approaches to communication about pain management for the person/family, and the healthcare team.
- recognize opportunities to collaborate with the care team to manage pain effectively based on the persons identified goals of care.
- rovide education for the person and/or family related to pain assessment and management
Course Details
This online course is provided using the Partnering for Palliative Education online learning platform, powered by D2L's Brightspace. You will be required to use a computer, tablet, or smart phone with a microphone & camera to allow for two-way communication between coaches and peers.
Advanced Approaches to Manage Pain (AMP) Preparation
Optional Module
Following EPM, you will have automatic access to the online AMP Preparation Module to explore advanced pain management.
Following successful completion of the AMP Preparation module, and the AMP module quiz, you’ll earn your AMP Preparation badge. At that time, you will be invited to register for the 3-hour, AMP coaching session. To receive an AMP certificate, you must complete:
- the online AMP Preparation Module
- one mandatory 3-hour, AMP coaching session with case-based activities to practice your skills.
Program Schedules, Registration & Payment
EPM programs are currently being offered in various geographies of Northeastern Ontario.
- The cost of the EPM program is $45.00.
- To successfully complete the program registrants must complete all online modules, readings, quizzes and attend virtual case based learning sessions as outlined above.
Need help?
PPSMCneo@von.ca
Support Email
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Are these programs free?
The PPSMCNEO programs are some of the most cost effective programs in the province.
Majority of the programs are $45.00 per learner. The CAPCE program is $65.00 per learner at this time.
All of the programs are eligible to be reimbursed by local palliative care education funding dollars (ex: Near North Palliative Care Network for people working in Nipissing District or through Clinical Coach affiliated organizations).
Please note that the LEAP program fees are set by Pallium Canada and are more expensive. See https://www.pallium.ca for more details on cost of LEAP. The LEAP program may still be eligible for reimbursement as above. Please reach out to us via the LEAP program page if you have questions about LEAP.
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How do I register?
Select the program you are looking to register for, scroll down to section entitled View Schedule and Register. At this point you can view all scheduled sessions for that program or search based on your address. You will be able to “drill down” to specific programs in your geographical area. From there you will click on the course that meets your needs and be taken to a window where you can “Request Service”. You will be further prompted to fill in the required registration information.
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Are there any prerequisites?
Please see program page for more details on prerequisites for each of the programs. When you register for a course you will be further prompted to consider if you meet all of the eligibility criteria.
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Are these programs in person or virtual?
All of the programs facilitated by the PPSMCs have virtual and in- person options. If you are an organization looking to have a specific education program offered at your organization please reach out to the PPSMC that is in your district or email us your request at ppsmcneo@von.ca.