Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Training for Nurses

The Department of Neurological Surgery offers basic training for nurses and other allied health care personnel interested in providing clinical care for patients undergoing Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Through attendance at this continuing education program, registrants should demonstrate proficiency at the practical aspects of patient care during stereotactic radiosurgery using the Leksell Gamma Knife. Principles of device management, patient preparation, patient education, neuroimaging, and post-radiosurgery care, as they apply to single-session, focused, small volume irradiation will be covered in depth. At the close of the training, participants should be able to discuss those issues relevant to patient preparation and care during radiosurgery.

Nurses training is available anytime throughout the year upon request. Please contact Jonet Vacsulka at 412-647-9992 for more information.

Download the Gamma Knife Nurse Training registration form.

Fee

$500 per nurse per day.

Topics

Overview of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Frame/Fiducials/Coils/Angiograms Care and Set-Up
MR Issues with Tour of MRI, CT and Angio Suites
Patient Teaching and Preparation
Patient Scheduling/Insurance Issue
Dose Planning 
Informed Consent
Hands On Training
Frame Application
MRI Experience

Course Directors/Faculty

Costas G. Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurological Surgery
Director
, Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery
University of Pittsburgh

L. Dade Lunsford, MD
Lars Leksell Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Co-directorCenter for Image-Guided Neurosurgery
University of Pittsburgh

Ajay Niranjan, MCh
Professor Neurological Surgery
University of Pittsburgh

John C. Flickinger, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
University of Pittsburgh

Nursing Faculty

Jonet Vacsulka, RN, BSN
Nancy Bastine, RN
Mark Geminetti, RN
Brenda Unghajer, RN
Devorah Williams, RN

Administration

Kelly Powell
e-mail: powellkc@upmc.edu 
Phone: 412-647-7744