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Course Descriptions

 

Course Descriptions

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

The American Heart Association's Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support course is totally redesigned for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the resuscitation of a patient, whether in or out of hospital.   Through the ACLS course, providers will enhance their skills in the treatment of the adult victim of a cardiac arrest or other cardiopulmonary emergencies.  ACLS emphasizes the importance of basic life support CPR to patient survival; the integration of effective basic life support with advanced cardiovascular life support interventions; and the importance of effective team interaction and communication during resuscitation. 
ACLS is based on simulated clinical scenarios that encourage active, hands-on participation through learning stations where students will practice essential skills individually, as part of a team, and as team leader.  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.

Course Length: 16 hours approx., including breaks

Intended Audience
This course is designed for medical providers such as physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and other professionals who may respond to a cardiovascular emergency.

Student Materials:

  • ACLS Provider Manual
  • ACLS Student CD
  • ACLS Precourse Checklist
  • ACLS Pocket Reference Cards
Card Type:  Course completion

Written/Skills Exam:  Required for completion card

Renewal Course:   Course Length: Approximently 8 hours, including breaks 
                              ACLS Provider MUST BE CURRENT

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ACLS-EP

The ACLS Experienced Provider Course is for seasoned ACLS providers who wish to renew their provider status. This course provides a stimulus for clinicians and scientists to identify areas in resuscitation that deal with special circumstances.
 
Course Length: 9-10 hours
 
Intended Audience
Professionals, clinicians and scientists who must frequently respond to emergency cardiovascular and special resuscitation situations in the work environment.
 
Student Materials:
  • ACLS: The Reference Textbook (Required)
  • ECC Handbook (Optional)

Card Type: Course completion

Written/Skills Exam: Required for renewal or course completion card

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Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS)

Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) is a two-day (16-hour) in-depth study of medical emergencies.  This course emphasizes a pragmatic approach and format, based on teaching providers what they need to know.  The curriculum is designed to allow for a minimal amount of lecture and an ample amount of actual hands-on physical assessment of patients.  Therefore, students must purchase a copy of the AMLS textbook, published by Brady/Prentice Hall, in advance of the course in order to adequately prepare for it.  After successfully completing the course, each student will be awarded a certificate of successful completion.  Because medicine is ever changing, periodic revisions and updates will be required as the scientific and medical fields uncover new advanced and techniques.  The certificate of completion is valid for four years.
 
The hands-on AMLS course gives each provider/student the ability to integrate the knowledge presented into a practical format for use in his or her current practice.  This course is directed at the prehospital treatment of medical emergencies, but can be altered to encompass the initial emergency department assessment and management of the medical patient.  The format and administrative policies set forth are those of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT).
The major goals of the AMLS course are to:
  • Apply critical thinking skills to integrate pathophysiology with the assessment findings of a medical patient;
  • Determine and differentiate between actual and potential patient problems;
  • Advance the provider's ability to conduct a competent medical examination that utilizes proper diagnostic skills, critical thinking, and interventions;
  • Advance the provider's ability to utilize problem-solving strategies in interventions and management alternatives; and
  • Advance the provider's ability to communicate the pertinent findings and interventions to the receiving facility.
Course Length: 16 hours
 
Intended Audience:
Course participants encompass all levels of EMS professionals, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse anesthetists and physicians. This diversity enhances the team approach to patient care.
 
Student Materials:
  • AMLS textbook, published by Brady/Prentice Hall
Card Type: Course completion
 
Written/Skills Exam:
Successful completion of the course entails attendance both days, proficiency in the 4 evaluation stations (Hypoperfusion, Dyspnea/Respiratory Failure; Chest Pain and Abdominal/GI Bleed Scenarios. 
In addition, there is a post-test written examination where a 74% is required.

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Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course (PALS)

The completely redesigned American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support course is based on new science evidence from the 2005 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC and a new teaching methodology. The goal of the PALS course is to aid the pediatric healthcare provider in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to efficiently and effectively manage critically ill infants and children, resulting in improved outcomes. Skills taught include recognition and treatment of infants and children at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest; the systematic approach to pediatric assessment; effective respiratory management; defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion; intraosseous access and fluid bolus administration; and effective resuscitation team dynamics.
 
Course Length: 14 hours approximately
 
Intended Audience:
For pediatricians, emergency physicians, family physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare providers who initiate and direct advanced life support in pediatric emergencies.
 
Student Materials:
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course Guide - Includes PALS Student CD, PALS Precourse Checklist, PALS Pocket Reference Card
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course Guide & Pediatric Advanced Life Support Provider Manual  

Card Type: PALS Provider Card 

Written/Skills Exam: Required for completion card

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International Trauma Life Support (ITLS)

Basic and Advanced

These comprehensive courses are designed for providers who are first to evaluate and stabilize the trauma patient. The courses provide complete training in the skills needed for rapid assessment, resuscitation, stabilization and transportation of trauma patients.
 
The ITLS Advanced course builds on this knowledge, emphasizing evaluation steps and sequencing as well as techniques for resuscitating and packaging patients. ITLS Advanced is appropriate for advanced EMTs, paramedics, trauma nurses, physicians and other advanced EMS personnel. Hands-on stations include:
 
  • Patient assessment and management
  • Basic and advanced airway management
  • Needle chest decompression and fluid resuscitation
  • Spinal motion restriction — rapid extrication, short back board, helmet management, log roll, and long back board/ scoop stretcher utilization
  • Extremity immobilization and traction splint application  
Course Length: 16 hours
 
Intended Audience:
The ITLS Basic course provides the core of knowledge and skills appropriate for all levels of EMS personnel, including EMT-Bs, first responders and other technicians.
 
Student Materials:
 ITLS Basic and Advanced courses use the 6th edition ITLS for Prehospital Care Providers manual.
  
Card Type: ITLS Completion Card
 
Written/Skills Exam: Required for completion card

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ITLS Pediatric

Course Description

ITLS Pediatric continues the training of the Basic and Advanced courses with an emphasis on understanding and responding to trauma in children. The eight-hour course teaches the proper assessment, stabilization and packaging of pediatric trauma patients. It also highlights techniques for communicating with young patients and their parents.

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ITLS Access

Course Description

ITLS Access give EMS crews and first responders the training they need to reach, stabilize and extricate trapped patients. The updated course includes techniques for hybrid vehicles, trucks, buses and small aircraft in addition to its primary focus on traditional vehicles. The eight-hour course is built around the concept of using hand tools commonly carried on an ambulance or first responder unit.

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