Thursday, May 28, 2015

ACLS Certification Basics And Information

By Ericka Marsh


Health care practitioners must take continuing education every year or two depending on state, and look for ways to get their credit. The American Heart Association offers numerous classes that will suffice for such. ACLS certification or the advanced cardiovascular life support class gives professionals the chance to get updated information on post-cardiac arrest care and credits for licensing.

This course covers quite a bit of information such as changes in life support, proper updated CPR information, peri-arrest complications as well as cardiac and respiratory arrest situations and how to handle them. ACS or acute coronary syndrome and team dynamics with resuscitation are included as a means of covering team work and the importance of more than one set of eyes on a victim. Each of these aspects are included on the skills test and the practice portion of the exam for completion.

Every student that attends the course must participate in hands on learning stations, to gain a grade. If one does not participate, a failing grade is given when taken in a class room setting. This is not an option for any online learning, as it is considered learned when shown to a practitioner physically due to the newer guidelines set forth by the AHA for CPR.

The initial course is for people who have no medical training, while another for persons already in the medical field is available. Those seeking recertification take an Experienced Provider class, that gives a total of 5.25 continuing education credit hours as permitted by CECBEMS. The initial course offers a total of 12 full credits of advanced hours for that course at completion.

No internet learning is approved by the AHA, and the actual practice time for course completion will vary. Due to sizes of the class or the course being taken, hours can increase. Initial courses could stretch to a twelve hour period based on the practical learning skills and a single instructor. The secondary course only takes around half the time to complete with the same amount of students and practical skills.

In order to pass this course and get full credit, a student must successfully complete all of the components. This includes demonstrating knowledge and physical motions of CPR and AED use, proper bag mask use as well as a written exam and participation in each learning station. Once a passing grade is obtained, a card or certificate is issued that is good for 24 months.

There are many providers of this course that the AHA backs, so they can legally confer the certifying on AHA's behalf. The costs associated with the course will vary by provider, and are not regulated. Fees could include materials for your course, exams and provider time.

For details on how to get certified on these skills, call or visit the nearest AHA location and determine your closest provider of the exam. Many different entities, companies, hospitals and businesses allow for registration and work directly on the behalf of the AHA. Ensure that prior to enrolling, your chosen provider is allowed permission by the AHA to confer the information or you will not get credit for completion.




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