Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (AHA ACLS)

  • Healthcare providers will enhance their skills in the treatment of the adult victim of a cardiac arrest or other cardiopulmonary emergencies.

    The American Heart Association's Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (AHA ACLS) 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 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.

    The ACLS courses are 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.

    To successfully complete this course, the student must be able to demonstrate proficiency in certain skills as well as pass a written exam. Therefore, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the information in the textbook before class. It is expected that the participant will be proficient in BLS before participating in the ACLS course. Your BLS skills will be evaluated during the ACLS skill stations, but this does not constitute a BLS renewal. You will need to register for a separate BLS course to renew BLS certification. AHA will no longer allow challenges for renewal of ACLS skills without attending a full class. If excessive remediation is required, or basic skills and EKG recognition is not proficient, you may be required to repeat the course.

  • Initial ACLS Provider Course - 2 days
    This course is for providers that have never been through an ACLS course, or if your ACLS has been expired more than 30 days.

    Renewal ACLS Provider Course - 1 day
    This course is for providers that have previously completed an ACLS course and have a current ACLS card.

  • Registration

    Click here to view a list of our courses and register for a class.

    What to Bring to Class

    1. UTMB ID badge
    2. Current ACLS Card or eCard printed out
    3. Current ACLS textbook, "AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Manual, 2020 Edition" and the algorithm cards included with your textbook
    4. Pre-course work certificate. 

    To get to the ACLS Pre-course required work:

    https://elearning.heart.org/course/424

    We do not recommend waiting to take the pretest on the morning of the class as no one will be admitted after the class has begun. 

    Participants must bring the appropriate certificate showing completion of the video lessons and passing grade for the pre-course self assessment.
    1. Be prompt for class start times. No one will be allowed into class once the first video portion of the class has begun.
    2. Read the ACLS Provider manual, "AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Manual, 2020 Edition" and review the algorithm cards before attending the course. Be sure to bring a copy of the current ACLS textbook and algorithm cards to class.
    3. Review and understand the information in your ACLS Provider Manual.
    4. Review, understand, and pass the mandatory pre-course self-assessment.
    5. Review, understand and complete the mandatory pre-course work(video sessions)   You must pass the pre-course self-assessment before gaining access to the video lessons.  Once you have passed the ACLS pre-course Self-assessment and completed the video lessons, print your certificate and bring it with you to class. 

    To successfully complete this course, the student must be able to demonstrate proficiency in certain skills as well as pass a written exam. Therefore, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the information in the textbook before class.

    We want to stress again that it is expected that the participant will be proficient in BLS before participating in the ACLS course. Your BLS skills will be evaluated during the ACLS skill stations, but this is NOT considered a BLS renewal course.

    If excessive remediation is required or basic skills and EKG recognition is not proficient, you may be required to repeat the course.

    If you have any questions, call the OLSET at (409) 266-0074 or email cpredlab@utmb.edu.