The American Heart Association’s Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) course is designed for healthcare providers who are directly involved in the resuscitation of a patient in a critical medical setting. Medical providers enhance and hone in skills through didactic lectures and hands on sessions in simulated scenarios of the care of an adults in cardiovascular and neurological emergencies.
ACLS focuses on the importance of quality CPR and basic life support for patient survival. The culmination of effective basic life support with advanced cardiovascular life support interventions and the importance of effective team interaction and communication during resuscitation is essential during the course.
Realistic simulations reinforce the following key concepts:
- Proficiency in basic life support care;
- Recognizing and initiating early management of peri-arrest conditions;
- Managing cardiac arrest;
- Identifying and treating ischemic chest pain and acute coronary syndromes;
- Recognizing other life-threatening clinical situations (such as stroke) and providing initial care;
- ACLS algorithms; and
- Effective resuscitation team dynamics.
All participants must have a current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification to participate in this course.
Participants may complete the Online Heartsaver® BLS for Healthcare Providers course prior to class and be tested on BLS skills in class to receive a new BLS certification card that matches their ACLS certification expiration date.
Course Pre-requisites
- Current American Heart Association BLS certification for Healthcare Providers Card
- Current American Heart Association ACLS for Healthcare Providers Card (For ACLS recertification only)
- Students must pass the online ACLS Precourse Self-Assessment with a score of 70% or higher.
Required Course Materials
- American Heart Association ACLS Provider Manual, or
- AHA eBook ACLS Provider Manual, an electronic equivalent of the printed version
The American Heart Association requires all Providers to have a ACLS Provider Manual for entry into the course. The ACLS Provider Manual may be purchase at checkout and will be provided on the day of the course. Please be aware when ordering eBooks online that access codes are usually emailed 24 hours after order placement.
Examination
Proficient demonstration of skills and a score of 84% or higher on the written examination are required for certification. Students that do not achieve either of these will be remediated and allowed an additional attempt to test.
Certification
Successful completion of this course results in an American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Provider certification, which is valid for 2 years from the date of the course.