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ACLS COURSE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the ACLS Certification course:
• What is the ACLS course?
• Who is the intended audience?
• What is the course format?
• What is in the program?
• Is there a demo or a tutorial?
• How long does it take to complete the computer-based portion of the test?
• How much does it cost?
• Do I have to BLS certification in order to take the ACLS course?
• Is the course for renewal certification only?
• Does the program require special computer or support software?
• How do I determine if my computer meets the minimum system requirements?
• Who do I contact if I have a problem using the computer-based course?
• What happens once I've completed the computer-based portion of the course?
• Is a skills test required?
• What makes up the skills test?
• Who signs off on the skills test?
• How do I schedule a skills test?
• Where do I go to take the skills test?
• Is there a charge for the skills test?
• How long (after completing the computer-based portion of the course) do I have to complete the skills test?
• What happens if I fail the computer-based portion of the test?
• What happens if I fail the skills test?
• What kind of card will I receive upon successful completion of the course?
• Will I get continuing education (CME) credits for this course?
• How do I get confirmation of my CME credits?
• Can I take this course on a Mac?
What is the ACLS course?
The computer-based ACLS Provider Course allows the student to complete all but the skills assessment on the computer. When followed by the brief, hands-on skills evaluation session with an AHA ACLS Instructor, participants earn the AHA ACLS Healthcare Provider card.
This course recognizes that healthcare providers have knowledge and skills acquired from years of patient care and prior CPR training. The greatest challenge in retraining healthcare providers lies not in skills acquisition, but in the cognitive component of memorizing the sequence of steps for multiple scenarios, which reinforces rapid recall of the sequences during emergency situations.
Back to TopWho is the intended audience?
The HeartCode ACLS course is intended for healthcare providers who find traditional training courses inconvenient due to the realities of everyday working life.
Back to TopWhat is the course format?
The computer-based portion of the course contains 13 mandatory checkpoints that must be successfully completed before the student will be allowed to access the final written test. Please note that the computer-based portion of the course is NOT Mac compatible.
Back to TopWhat is in the program?
The HeartCode ACLS program contains all the lessons from the ACLS texts as well as convenient references. Students can review all the material from start to finish or focus on particular review topics. The course uses micro-simulation technology to present realistic patient scenarios. Students are presented with cases, interact with the program to assess the patient, formulate a treatment plan based on ACLS guidelines, and provide treatment to the patient. The patient will react according to the treatment provided. Upon completion of a given scenario, the student is presented with a log of steps that were performed.
Back to TopIs there a demo or a tutorial?
Yes. Downloaded software comes with a tutorial, which can be taken at any time. We also offer the student an opportunity to talk to a live ACLS instructor via telephone at (971) 404-2273 or e-mail at acls_instructor@mobiletrainingsolution.com to answer any questions.
Back to TopHow long does it take to complete the computer-based portion of the test?
The amount of time it will take to complete the entire program will vary with each person, depending upon individual experience and preparation. The program allows 32 hours to complete the entire ACLS program. EMS providers usually complete part 1 in 2-4hrs, Physicians usually 4-6hrs, and Nurses 4-8hrs. Please note that your have a total of 32 hours to complete part 1. Thus, if you do 1hr a day, you would have 32 days to complete at that rate. Time off the 32 included hours only occurs while you are active in the software. Once you log out, time stops until you log back in. Also note The American Heart Association requires that the skills check of be completed within 120 days of part 1 being completed.
Back to TopHow much does it cost?
$299 per student. Quantity discounts are available for bulk purchases of prepaid courses. Minimum quantities of 10. Please contact us.
Back to TopDo I have to BLS certification in order to take the ACLS course?
That depends on your employer or employment agency. Some will consider the ACLS Provider status to include the BLS Healthcare Provider status; others will not.
We recommend that you have current BLS certification or take our BLS course, but it is not required by us.
Back to TopIs the course for renewal certification only?
No, this course is not only for renewal. While the program was developed with the experienced healthcare provider in mind, individuals can decide which learning methods are best for them. The AHA recognizes the value of a new or inexperienced ACLS provider participating in a traditional classroom-based ACLS class, which provides instructor feedback and group interaction. To recognize that value, we offer the student an opportunity to talk to a live ACLS instructor via telephone at (971) 404-2273 or e-mail at acls_instructor@mobiletrainingsolution.com to answer any questions.
Back to TopDoes the program require special computer or support software?
The program will run on most PCs. Your computer must be able to run the following software: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or Netscape 6 or greater; Java and JavaScript -- enabled (usually pre-installed); and Apple QuickTime Plug-in 4.0 or greater (usually pre-installed).
How do I determine if my computer meets the minimum system requirements?
Click START, SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL. Then double click on the SYSTEM icon. The dialog box will include the following information: amount of RAM, operating system, and CPU.
To determine how much free space is on the hard drive, double click on MY COMPUTER icon, and right click on the hard drive letter 'C:'. Choose PROPERTIES. A pie chart will show the amount of used space and free space.
Look at the front of the computer to see if there is a CD or DVD-rom drive. Due to the real-time video interaction of the program, a sound card and speakers are required. If there is a speaker icon by the clock on the lower right hand portion of the monitor, then there is a sound card on the computer. Make sure the volume is turned up and the speakers are on.
If the computer is running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, it will need Media Player 7 or higher. Download the latest version of Media Player now.
If you are still unsure whether your computer will meet the minimum system requirements, please contact us at(971) 404-2273.
Back to TopWho do I contact if I have a problem using the computer-based course?
For course content and policy questions, contact Mobile Training Solutions by telephone at (971) 404-2273.
Hours: Daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST.
You may also contact us via e-mail at support@mobiletrainingsolution.com.
For technical support for downloading, installing and logging into the software, contact Mobile Training Solutions by telephone at (971) 404-2273. Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.
You may also contact us via e-mail at support@mobiletrainingsolution.com for weekend support. All weekend support is done by e-mail.
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What happens once I've completed the computer-based portion of the course?
When all required parts of the computer-based work are successfully completed, the student will receive a message that the program is completed.
Back to TopIs a skills test required?
Yes. In order to earn an AHA card, the student must demonstrate the required skills to a current AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Instructor.
Back to TopWhat makes up the skills test?
The skills test, which must be completed by an authorized ACLS instructor, will include airway skills management and 1 mega code scenario. The new guidelines also have removed the intubation requirements for all profiles. The skills test takes 15-25mins.
Back to TopWho signs off on the skills test?
A current AHA ACLS instructor, affiliated with an ACLS Training center, who will also issue your wallet card.
Back to TopHow do I schedule a skills test?
The student must contact his/her local AHA Training Center to arrange a skills assesssment. Regular sessions may be scheduled by Training Centers to provide skills assessments for the students they provide keys for and to accommodate the single user who has purchased a key on-line. A Training Center may charge for their time to perform the skills assessment and for issuing the card.
Back to TopWhere do I go to take the skills test?
Contact your local AHA Training Center.
Back to TopIs there a charge for the skills test?
Your skills evaluator may charge for his/her time to perform the skills assessment and for issuing your AHA ACLS Healthcare Provider card.
Back to TopHow long (after completing the computer-based portion of the course) do I have to complete the skills test?
From the time the student installs the program, students are allowed 1 year to complete the course. The American Heart Association also requires that within 120 days of completing the computer portion of the certification, they complete they're skills evaluation.
Back to TopWhat happens if I fail the computer-based portion of the test?
With this program, you have 32 program hours to pass all portions of the course. If you fail a portion, take it again. The Mega-Code scenarios are dynamic and adaptive, that is they realistically react to the treatment you provide for better or worse. Once you treat a patient, you will receive an assessment of that treatment. The assessment will list your actions and comment on each as to it's appropriateness and revelence. It will also give you a score. You need a score of 70% or higher to pass. If you score below 70%, take notes on the debriefing, study if necessary and retake that patient scenario. The patient will not react the exact same way twice and although the general diagnosis will be the same, the circumstances will not. This is how the course remediates you. Note: If you fail the scenario the first time, you will be required to pass that scenario twice in a row to pass, if you fail him a second time, you will be required to pass that scenario three times in a row in order to complete that patient scenario. You will not be required to pass a scenario more then 3 consecutive times. As you can see, regardless of how many times you may fail a patient or the written exam, as long as you can successfully pass all portions of the course within the 32 hour time limit, the American Heart Association considers it a successfull completion. You can only fail the course by not completing all portions within the 32 hour time limit. To date, none of our customers have failed to do so. Please note! You do not have to submit a treatment of a scenario for accreditation. When you stop treatment or transfere the patient, you will be asked if you want to submit your treatment for accredidation. If you click yes, you will be graded. If you click no, you will be debriefed and graded, but it will not count. This is usefull for evaluating whether or not further study is required for that mega-code. We reccomend that you practice each scenario once to get an idea of your readiness for that scenario.
Back to TopWhat happens if I fail the skills test?
During Mega Code scenarios, the program will present a different scenario. The same test will not be presented twice. During the test, the student will be shown the incorrect responses and be given the opportunity to take the test again.
Back to TopWhat kind of card will I receive upon successful completion of the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an American Heart Association ACLS Healthcare Provider card, which is valid for two years.
Back to TopWill I get continuing education (CME) credits for this course?
Yes. Medical doctors and pharmacologists will receive 12 hours CME. Emergency Medical Technicians and Nurses will receive 14 hours CME.
Back to TopHow do I get confirmation of my CME credits?
Once you have completed the course, you can print your certificate of completion of the instructional portion of the ACLS course and your CME certificate, complete with hours. A copy of this certificate is then submitted to your accrediting body and your transcripts are updated.
Back to TopCan I take this course on a Mac?
The software is NOT Mac or Linux compatible, but if you have Windows installed on your Mac, via BootCamp, it will run IN Windows on your Mac. Please note that technical support for Mac is not available.
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