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BLS / CPR COURSE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the BLS / CPR Renewal Certification course:
• What is the BLS course?
• Who is the intended audience?
• What is the course format?
• What is in the program?
• How long does it take to complete the on-line portion of the test?
• How much does it cost?
• Do I have to BLS certification in order to take the 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 question using the on-line 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 on-line portion of the course) do I have to complete the skills test?
• Can the course material be accessed after the online portion is completed?
• What happens if I fail the on-line 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?
What is the BLS course?
The on-line BLS HealthCare Provider Renewal 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 BLS Instructor, participants earn the AHA BLS 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.
Who is the intended audience?
The BLS course is intended for healthcare providers who find traditional training courses inconvenient due to the realities of everyday working life. This format is not appropriate for or desired by everyone.
Back to TopWhat is the course format?
The on-line portion of the course contains 12 mandatory checkpoints that must be successfully completed before the student will be allowed to access the final written test. Twenty exercises are available for review, plus an additional 19 optional video clips that can be accessed for skills demonstrations. The confident student may opt to bypass the reviews and go immediately to the required checkpoint scenario.
The student who answers a question incorrectly is redirected to the beginning of that checkpoint and given the option for review. Afterward, the student can reattempt the checkpoint. Each checkpoint must be completed with 100% accuracy. If a student is unsure of an answer to a question in the checkpoint, s/he can select the "Brief Review" option. When s/he has completed the review, s/he can return to the checkpoint. After completing all the checkpoints, the student will be directed to the on-line written test. Following successful completion of the on-line portion, the student will be asked to print the certificate of on-line course completion that s/he can take to the skills evaluation session.
Should a student not be able to successfully complete either version of the test, s/he will be instructed to print the course home page. This page will document which parts of the program have been completed. The student should take this page to the scheduled skills evaluation session. The instructor providing the skills evaluation/validation will provide for additional remediation as needed, in accordance with the current Program Administration Manual.
Should a student not be able to successfully complete either version of the post-test, s/he will be instructed to print the course homepage. This page will document which parts of the program have been completed. The student should take this page to the scheduled skills session. The instructor providing the skills check will provide for additional remediation as needed, in accordance with the current Program Administration Manual.
Back to TopWhat is in the program?
The BLS program contains all the lessons from the BLS 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 BLS 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. References are available in the program, which includes practice demonstrations.
Back to TopHow long does it take to complete the on-line 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.
Back to TopHow much does it cost?
$39 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 course?
Yes. You must hold a current AHA BLS Healthcare Provider status in order to take this course.
Back to TopIs the course for renewal certification only?
Yes. This program was developed specifically for the experienced healthcare provider who has had previous CPR training.
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).
Back to TopHow 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 turned on.
If the computer is running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, it will need Media Player 7 or higher. 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.
Back to TopWho do I contact if I have a question using the on-line course?
For technical questions and concerns, please contact Cardio Concepts, Inc. at +1 (888) 242-8883.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Is a skills test required?
Yes. In order to earn an AHA BLS Healthcare Provider card, the student must demonstrate the required skills to a current AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor.
Back to TopWhat makes up the skills test?
The skills check or skills evaluation, which must be completed by an authorized BLS instructor, will include those skills required in a standard BLS for Healthcare Provider Course:
• Adult Skills - Integrated relief of foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) in the responsive and unresponsive adult victim, rescue breathing, and use of a bag-mask device. And, integrated adult 1- and 2- rescuer CPR and AED use and use of a mouth-to-mask device.
• Child Skills - Integrated relief of FBAO in the responsive and unresponsive child, 1- and 2-rescuer CPR, rescue breathing, and use of a bag-mask device.
• Infant Skills - Integrated relief of FBAO in the responsive and unresponsive infant, 1- and 2-rescuer CPR, rescue breathing, and use of a bag-mask device.
Back to TopWho signs off on the skills test?
A current AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor.
Back to TopHow do I schedule a skills test?
The student must contact his/her local AHA Training Center to arrange a skills check. Regular sessions may be scheduled by Training Centers to provide skills checks 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 check 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 evaluation and issue your AHA BLS Healthcare Provider card.
Back to TopHow long (after completing the on-line portion of the course) do I have to complete the skills test?
From the time the student downloads the program, students are allowed 90 days to complete the course, including the skills evaluation.
Back to TopCan the course material be accessed after the online portion is completed?
Upon completion, students will have 12 months from the day of enrollment to refer back to the course material for review and knowledge updates.
Back to TopWhat happens if I fail the on-line portion of the test?
During the test, the student will be shown the incorrect responses and be given the opportunity to take the test again.
Back to TopWhat happens if I fail the skills test?
During the evaluation, 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 Healthcare Provider card, which is valid for two years.
Back to Top
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