Critical Cardiovascular Emergency Training
Our Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification course equips healthcare professionals with systematic assessment approaches, evidence-based treatment algorithms, and coordinated team response skills for managing adult cardiovascular emergencies. This American Heart Association-aligned course meets certification requirements for emergency medicine providers, critical care staff, hospitalists, and advanced practice clinicians involved in acute cardiopulmonary emergency management. The course progresses through recognition and treatment of cardiac arrest, stroke, acute coronary syndromes, and other life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. Participants develop competency in advanced airway management, pharmacological interventions, electrical therapy, and systematic application of ACLS algorithms during high-acuity scenarios requiring rapid decision-making and coordinated multi-provider response. Our experienced instructors emphasize practical application through scenario-based learning, ensuring healthcare professionals understand not just memorized algorithms but critical thinking approaches for managing the clinical variability encountered during actual cardiovascular emergencies. Upon successful completion of skills assessment and written examination, participants receive two-year ACLS certification recognized by healthcare employers, credentialing bodies, and licensing boards throughout Colorado and nationwide.
Advanced Cardiovascular Emergency Protocols
ACLS curriculum follows current American Heart Association guidelines, providing systematic frameworks for cardiovascular emergency assessment and evidence-based intervention strategies proven to improve patient outcomes.
Systematic Assessment Approach
Master BLS competency confirmation, primary ABCD assessment for cardiopulmonary emergencies, and secondary assessment techniques identifying underlying causes requiring specific interventions. Learn to apply systematic evaluation frameworks under time-sensitive emergency conditions.
Cardiac Rhythm Recognition & Interpretation Identify and interpret cardiac rhythms including ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, asystole, pulseless electrical activity, and organized rhythms requiring assessment of hemodynamic stability. Understand ECG characteristics guiding treatment decisions.
ACLS Treatment Algorithms
Execute evidence-based treatment sequences for cardiac arrest (shockable and non-shockable rhythms), bradycardia, tachycardia, acute coronary syndromes, and stroke. Apply appropriate medication administration, electrical therapy, and post-resuscitation care protocols based on patient presentation and response.
Airway Management Perform basic airway maneuvers, bag-mask ventilation techniques, supraglottic airway device placement, and support for advanced airway management during cardiovascular emergencies. Understand appropriate ventilation rates, oxygenation monitoring, and capnography interpretation.
Pharmacology & Electrical Therapy
Administer ACLS medications including epinephrine, amiodarone, adenosine, and other agents with appropriate dosing, timing, and route selection. Perform synchronized cardioversion and defibrillation with correct energy dosing and safety protocols.
Acute Coronary Syndrome & Stroke Management
Recognize STEMI, NSTEMI, and stroke presentations requiring time-sensitive interventions. Understand fibrinolytic therapy considerations, catheterization lab activation criteria, and systematic approaches maximizing appropriate patients' access to definitive interventions.
Team Dynamics & Communication Lead and participate in resuscitation teams with effective role assignment, closed-loop communication, constructive intervention, knowledge sharing, and leadership approaches that optimize team performance during high-stress cardiovascular emergencies.
Essential Certification for Emergency & Critical Care Providers
ACLS certification is required for healthcare professionals involved in emergency cardiovascular care and frequently managing or responding to acute cardiopulmonary emergencies. Emergency Medicine Providers Emergency physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and emergency department nurses managing adult patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies. ACLS typically required for employment and credentialing in emergency medicine. Critical Care Personnel Intensive care unit nurses, respiratory therapists, and providers managing critically ill patients with hemodynamic instability, requiring advanced monitoring, and at risk for acute cardiovascular decompensation requiring immediate ACLS interventions. Hospitalists & Inpatient Providers Physicians, advanced practice providers, and nursing staff on medical-surgical units responding to rapid response or code blue activations for inpatient cardiovascular emergencies requiring systematic ACLS protocol execution. Anesthesia Providers Anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and anesthesia assistants managing perioperative patients at risk for cardiovascular complications during procedures requiring immediate recognition and appropriate ACLS response. Cardiac Specialty Providers Cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiac catheterization lab staff, and cardiovascular intensive care providers managing patients with acute coronary syndromes, arrhythmias, and other cardiac conditions requiring advanced life support competency. Prehospital Advanced Providers Paramedics providing advanced life support in prehospital settings, managing cardiac arrests, acute coronary syndromes, and cardiovascular emergencies during transport requiring ACLS protocol application.
Intensive Evidence-Based Training
Course Duration & Schedule
This focused two-hour course provides high-yield instruction emphasizing critical ACLS algorithms, rhythm interpretation, and systematic emergency management approaches. Accelerated format designed for healthcare professionals with clinical experience and current BLS competency. Flexible scheduling including evening and weekend options accommodates clinical work schedules.
Prerequisites & Requirements Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification mandatory before enrollment. Course assumes healthcare provider-level clinical knowledge, ECG interpretation familiarity, and competency in basic emergency response. Pre-course material review including rhythm recognition and pharmacology fundamentals recommended.
Skills Assessment & Scenarios Certification requires successful demonstration of systematic assessment, appropriate algorithm execution, and effective team participation during simulated cardiovascular emergency scenarios. Written examination covers rhythm interpretation, pharmacology, treatment algorithms, and clinical decision-making. Scenarios include cardiac arrest (VF/pVT and asystole/PEA), symptomatic bradycardia, unstable tachycardia, and acute coronary syndrome presentations.
Certification & Recertification Upon successful completion, healthcare professionals receive American Heart Association-aligned ACLS provider certification valid for two years. Digital and physical provider cards issued immediately for credentialing, privileging, and employment documentation. Recertification courses available—schedule renewal training six months before credential expiration.
Course Materials & Resources ACLS provider manual, pocket reference cards, algorithm guides, and pharmacology quick-reference tools included. Access to advanced simulation manikins, defibrillation trainers, airway equipment, and monitoring devices during skills practice. Post-course access to materials and instructor consultation for clinical application questions.
Register for ACLS Certification Training
Maintain the advanced cardiovascular emergency credentials essential for your clinical practice. Our ACLS certification course provides experienced healthcare professionals with evidence-based protocols and systematic approaches for managing life-threatening cardiac emergencies.
Review available course dates and register today. For facility group certification or organizational training programs, contact our training coordinator.