Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Course Description

ACLS is an advanced, instructor-led classroom course for healthcare professionals that 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. In this course, skills are taught in large, group sessions and small, group learning and testing stations where case-based scenarios are presented.

Visit the American Heart Association's website for more details.

Prerequisites

  • Provider Course: To take the ACLS course, you need a current BLS card. Please bring it with you to class. We also recommend that you complete a cardiac monitoring course before you take ACLS.
  • Renewal Course: You need a current BLS and ACLS card. Please bring them with you to class.
  • ACLS Pre-Test: The ACLS course has an online pre-test that must be completed through the American Heart Association's webpage before you come to class. After you register for the ACLS course, you will receive instructions for completing this pre-course assessment.
    • You need to score 80 percent or higher on the pre-test to take the ACLS course.
    • Once you have completed your pre-test, print the auto-generated answer sheet and bring with you to class for admittance.
    • If you have not successfully completed your online pre-test before the start of class, you will not be admitted to the class and will be counted as a no-show if you have not previously withdrawn.

Class Preparation

  • In addition to course manual, you can use the following to help you prepare:
  • Carilion employees: If you do not have time to prepare during your regular work schedule, you should get approval from your manager to be paid to prepare outside of work hours, which will be deducted from your unit/department’s operational cost center. For ACLS, you can be reimbursed for up to two hours of work. This time is not automatic since everyone learns and prepares differently.