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Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

The American Heart Association’s ACLS Course is for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies and for personnel in emergency response. This classroom, instructor-led course builds on the foundation of life saving Basic Life Support skills, emphasizing the importance of continuous, high-quality CPR, and reflects science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). It highlights the importance of team dynamics and communication, systems of care, and immediate post cardiac arrest care. It also covers airway management and related pharmacology. Course skills are taught in large group sessions and small group learning, and testing stations where case-based scenarios are presented.

Course content

  • Basic life support skills, including effective chest compressions, use of a bag-mask device, and use of an AED
  • Recognition and early management of respiratory and cardiac arrest
  • Recognition and early management of peri-arrest conditions such as symptomatic bradycardia
  • Airway management
  • Related pharmacology
  • Management of ACS and stroke
  • Effective communication as a member and leader of a resuscitation team

Schedule release of classes

  • January-March classes will be released on or around the first week of October.
  • April-June classes will be released on or around the first week of January.
  • July-September classes will be released on or around the first week of April.
  • October-December classes will be released on or around the first week of July.

The LSP constantly evaluates the need to increase the size or add additional classes based on the needs of the hospital community.

ACLS provider course

The ACLS provider course is intended for first-time participants, or for those providers who have let their certification lapse. The course is offered over two days, with Day 1 from 7 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. and Day 2 from 7 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Cost:

  • $400/person: BCH employees, BCH / TS Affiliates
  • $500/person: all other participants

The course fee includes an ACLS electronic provider manual with electronic reference card and electronic course completion card. Please visit shop.cpr if you would like to purchase a separate paper reference card.

The course fee includes the ACLS provider manual.

Please review the ACLS provider course learning objectives.

ACLS update course

The ACLS update course is intended for anyone currently certified in ACLS who wishes to renew their certification. The course is offered in one day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. If your last PALS certification was not obtained through the Boston Children’s Hospital Training Center, proof of current certification is required. Please upload a copy of your current ACLS card (front and back).

Cost:

  • $300/person: BCH employees, BCH / TS Affiliates
  • $400/person: all other participants

Please review the ACLS update course learning objectives.

Important notes

Registration:

  • All participants must submit a completed registration form.
  • Participants will be accepted into classes on a first-come basis. Class size is limited.
  • A confirmation email will be sent to you within two business days or 48 hours. If you do not receive this email, then please contact our office for further assistance.
  • Providers who intend to take an update course must show a valid provider card to enroll in an update course. Anyone who exceeds the recommended renewal date will be required to take a full provider course

Changes, cancellations, and refunds:

  • Any requested changes prior to 21 business days of the scheduled course date will incur a $25 administrative fee.
  • Changes requested with less than a 21-business-day notice are treated as a cancellation, and the participant may have to forfeit all fees. 
  • All requests for refunds must be submitted with at least 21 business days prior to the first date of the class. Refunds will be issued minus a $25 administrative fee.
  • Cancellations within 21 days, “no show” candidates, and participants who are late to the class and/or do not complete the mandatory precourse work will not be allowed to participate and forfeit all fees.
  • For additional information, please refer to the Life Support Program Registration Policies and Procedures link located on our website.

ACLS Precourse Self-Assessment and Preparation:

  • All participants must complete the ACLS Precourse Self-Assessment. This is a mandatory requirement for participation in all ACLS courses and must be completed prior to the start of the course.
  • The ACLS course does not teach ECG rhythm recognition or pharmacology. Use this assessment to identify areas where you need to increase your knowledge.
  • More: https://elearning.heart.org/course/423

Textbooks:

Textbooks are an integral part of the student's education. Each student must have the current appropriate course textbook readily available for use before, during, and after the course. Students may reuse their previous textbooks until new science guidelines are published. For Boston Children's Hospital employees, a library system of manuals has been established for use during update courses. Arrangements to borrow a course manual to prepare for a course can be made by contacting the Life Support Program.