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Pain Management Certificate Program

Pain is a common reason for individuals to seek health care and is a leading public health problem in the United States. Yet the experience of pain is complex, involving physical, emotional, and cognitive components. As the experience of pain is subjective, one must consider that the individual is seeking relief from distress and suffering. The healthcare provider may have a lack of knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that can impact pain management. Therefore, effective pain management requires a systematic, coordinated approach by well-prepared healthcare professionals. The program was designed utilizing the latest clinical guidelines and preparation for certification examinations.

Information regarding the Pain Management Nursing Certification exam by the American Nurses Credentialing Center can be obtained online.

Information regarding a Certified Pain Educator through the American Society of Pain Educators can be obtained through their website

Who Should Enroll in this Program?

This program is designed for English-speaking nurses and pharmacists. Other healthcare providers who have, or want to prepare for, the responsibility for monitoring and managing patients experiencing pain might also be interested.

Learning Outcome

The learning outcome of this activity is to enable the learner to successfully incorporate current therapeutic guidelines and best practices in the management of patients experiencing pain through interprofessional collaborative practice.

Delivered On-Demand

Start anytime. Program is self-paced.

Enrollment Cost - $600*

(*See enrollment fee details)

Contact Hours - 40

(More about contact hours)

Questions?

Call toll-free 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584)
or 812-461-5217 or email usi1nhpcert@usi.edu


Program Information


Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Examine the problem of pain as a public health problem in the United States.
  2. List pain management guidelines and policy statements.
  3. Describe the national trends in pain management.
  4. Describe strategies to improve pain management.
  5. Recognize methods to integrate pain assessment in the health care professional's practice.
  6. Identify appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for pain management.
  7. Characterize The Joint Commission and other national standards for pain management.
  8. Assimilate evidence-based interprofessional collaborative practice.

Criteria for Successful Completion

  • Submit registration and payment.
  • A certificate for contact hours will be awarded following the successful completion of study guides for each module, receiving a passing score of 70% or better on the comprehensive final and submission of the program evaluation.

The certificate of completion will be sent via autogenerated email immediately upon the completion of the program evaluation.

Contact Hours (40 Contact Hours)

The University of Southern Indiana designates this activity for a total of 40 contact hours. Eight hours of this content meets the pharmacology continuing education requirements for the renewal of the advanced practice registered nurse prescriptive authority license.

The University of Southern Indiana designates eight hours of this content as continuing education hours for the requirements of the MATE Act.  Effective June 27, 2023, the DEA now requires that the nearly 2 million DEA licensees nationally demonstrate that they have completed eight hours of relevant accredited education before they obtain a new license or renew their current licenses. 

The University of Southern Indiana Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning designates this knowledge-based Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) activity for 40 contact hours for completion of this program. Pharmacists who request to have their contact hours reported to the Certified Pharmacy Education Monitor (CPE) must indicate this request during registration and include the correct NABP e-PID# and Birthdate (mmdd).

The University of Southern Indiana Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning designates this activity for a maximum of 40.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this program does not guarantee expertise in the content. Clinical experience and judgment, coupled with an understanding of the content, are necessary to attain competency. Achieving certification via a designated professional organization is an additional step to demonstrate competency.

Enrollment Cost - $600

The fee includes access to the program, along with all resources and handouts. A text, if applicable, is not included in the fee.

If registering by invoicing your employer, program access is granted after payment is received. There is a $25.00 fee to invoice.

Pharmacists who request to have their contact hours reported to the Certified Pharmacy Education Monitor (CPE) must indicate this request during registration and include the correct NABP e-PID# and Birthdate (mmdd). NOTE: Reporting of CEs should be requested during registration. There is an additional $50 charge for reporting.

Physicians who request to have their contact hours reported must indicate this request during registration and include Birthdate (mmdd), licensing ID, and licensing state. NOTE: Reporting of CEs should be requested during registration. There is an additional $50 charge for reporting.

Register Now

Refund Policy

A $50 administrative fee will be charged prior to accessing the program. No refund will be given after the program has been opened.

Questions? Call toll-free 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or email usi1nhpcert@usi.edu

Faculty Name and Credentials

We strive to provide interprofessional education by utilizing a variety of content experts, instructors, contributors, and reviewers.

Holly Jahn, PharmD, CSP
Laura Stewart, FNP-BC

Conflict of Interest Statement

No individual in a position to control content has any relevant financial relationships.

Expiration date: March 30, 2026.

Jointly Accreditation

Accreditation Statements

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Southern Indiana Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning (CHPLL). The CHPLL is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

State of Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana is an approved provider of continuing education for several professionals licensed in the state of Indiana, including social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and dental professionals.

State of California
The University of Southern Indiana is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider #13378.

Program Content Delivery

Program Schedule

This independent study program is available on demand. Access is typically provided within 48-72 business hours. Once provided access to the content, you will have 24/7 access until completion. Completion of the program is required within one year of registration.

Program Content

The content is divided into modules. Each module utilizes audio/video recordings, reading assignments, articles, web resources, and case studies to augment the learning process. These methods provide the participant with flexibility in completing assignments. Each module has accompanying study guide(s) with questions (such as multiple choice, brief essay) for participants to submit to faculty. Interaction with faculty may occur as feedback to study guides or via email. The modules cover physiology and pathophysiology of pain, patient assessment, pain management guidelines, opioid best practices, pharmacology management, alternative and invasive interventions, and managing pain in diverse patient populations.

A textbook is required for this program. Upon registration, you will receive detailed information to purchase the textbook.

Delivery of Content

The content is delivered asynchronously via the online learning management system, Blackboard. The internet provides an opportunity for interaction with program faculty while in the comfort of learning in your own home and office. Program staff are available during business hours by phone or email to assist participants with technical issues or concerns.

Note: Many businesses, especially government agencies or health institutions, utilize security firewalls. Firewalls may block access to web links within the program. We recommend not using your work email address for this course.

Technical Support and System Requirements for Online Learning

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