If you’re searching for ACLS classes near me, start by confirming that you need American Heart Association ACLS certification and then choose a course format that matches your situation. Citywide CPR is an American Heart Association Training Center offering ACLS certification and renewal options, including Online + Skills and Skills Only pathways.
For someone searching for an AHA ACLS course nearby, the process is straightforward: confirm your employer, school, clinical program or organization’s requirements, choose the appropriate ACLS course format, find a convenient Citywide CPR location, and complete the required online and hands-on components.
How Do I Find an AHA ACLS Course Near Me?
Before registering for the closest ACLS class, make sure it is the right ACLS certification for your requirements.
A simple approach is:
- Confirm that AHA ACLS is required. Check with your employer, hospital, school, clinical program or other organization.
- Choose the appropriate course format. Determine whether you need ACLS Online + Skills or ACLS Skills Only.
- Find a convenient location. Citywide CPR offers ACLS training at locations in multiple cities and states. Citywide CPR
- Complete the required online learning when applicable.
- Attend your scheduled hands-on skills session.
- Successfully complete the applicable course requirements and skills session to receive your official AHA ACLS eCard.
The closest course is not necessarily the right course. Your certification should match what the organization requiring it has asked you to complete.
Who Typically Needs ACLS Certification?
ACLS is designed for healthcare professionals who may be involved in responding to cardiovascular emergencies and other life-threatening situations. It builds on BLS concepts and includes advanced topics such as rhythm recognition, airway management concepts, team dynamics and emergency cardiovascular care. Citywide CPR
However, not every healthcare professional needs ACLS.
Whether ACLS is required can depend on your role, employer, facility, school, clinical program or other applicable requirements. If you are unsure, confirm the exact certification your organization requires before registering.
What Is the Difference Between ACLS Certification and ACLS Renewal?
Both initial certification and renewal involve completing the applicable AHA ACLS course requirements, but your individual situation may determine which registration pathway is appropriate.
If you are completing ACLS for the first time, you may need the full ACLS Online + Skills pathway.
If you are maintaining an existing credential, you may be looking for ACLS renewal near me and may still use an applicable Online + Skills or Skills Only pathway depending on whether you have already completed the required HeartCode ACLS online course.
Before registering, check your current certification status and your organization’s requirements.
What Is HeartCode ACLS Online + Skills?
ACLS Online + Skills combines the applicable AHA HeartCode ACLS online learning with a required hands-on skills session.
Citywide CPR’s ACLS Online + Skills pathway allows participants to complete the online course at their own pace and then schedule their hands-on skills session.
The process includes:
- Complete the applicable HeartCode ACLS online course.
- Schedule the required hands-on skills session.
- Attend the Self-Guided Skills Session.
- Practice and perform the required skills.
- Successfully complete the applicable course requirements and skills session.
- Receive your official AHA ACLS Provider eCard.
This format can be particularly useful for healthcare professionals who need to fit certification around work, clinical or other responsibilities.
What Is ACLS Skills Only?
ACLS Skills Only is intended for someone who has already completed the appropriate AHA HeartCode ACLS online course and needs the hands-on skills component.
Citywide CPR specifically indicates that participants who have already completed HeartCode ACLS can schedule a skills session only and provide their completion documentation as required.
This distinction matters because having an existing ACLS eCard is not the same thing as having completed the applicable current HeartCode ACLS online course required for a Skills Only pathway.
If you have not completed the required online course, the Online + Skills option may be the appropriate choice.
What Happens During a Self-Guided ACLS Skills Session?
A Citywide CPR Self-Guided Skills Session takes place at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center using training equipment and technology designed to guide the participant through the hands-on experience.
Rather than having an instructor physically stand beside you throughout the session, you follow the system’s instructions and feedback.
The equipment provides real-time audio and visual feedback while you practice and perform applicable skills. This can include feedback related to CPR performance such as compression rate, compression depth, chest recoil and ventilation performance where applicable.
Citywide CPR describes its Self-Guided Learning model as combining applicable online learning with hands-on skills at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center.
The Self-Guided format does not mean you are left without support. Citywide CPR support is available when assistance with the session or equipment is needed.
What Hands-On Skills Are Required for ACLS?
The hands-on portion is an important part of the applicable ACLS pathway.
Citywide CPR’s ACLS Study Guide explains that the ACLS skills session focuses on demonstrating high-quality CPR skills, including adult CPR, compressions, ventilations and two-rescuer CPR as required by the applicable AHA skills curriculum.
The advanced ACLS concepts covered through the HeartCode ACLS learning component include areas such as:
- Cardiac rhythm recognition
- Bradycardia
- Tachycardia
- Airway management
- Defibrillation
- Synchronized cardioversion
- ACLS medications
- Post-cardiac-arrest care
- Team dynamics
The exact course requirements should always be based on the current applicable AHA course.
For preparation, you can review the ACLS Study Guide before your course.
How Does a CPR Verification Station™ Learning Center Work?
A CPR Verification Station™ learning center provides the environment for applicable Citywide CPR Self-Guided Skills Sessions.
Participants use the training equipment, follow the system’s guidance and receive real-time feedback while completing the hands-on skills experience.
This is different from a traditional instructor-led classroom. The technology guides the participant through the skills process while Citywide CPR provides support if assistance is needed.
You can learn more about the overall experience through Citywide CPR’s Self-Guided CPR Training resource.
What Should I Check Before Registering for ACLS?
If your employer or hospital has told you that you need AHA ACLS, confirm a few details before choosing a course.
Confirm the Certification
Ask exactly what your employer, hospital, school or clinical program requires.
Some organizations may specify AHA ACLS or a particular course pathway.
Check Whether You Need Online + Skills or Skills Only
If you have not completed the applicable HeartCode ACLS online course, Online + Skills may be the appropriate pathway.
If you have already completed the required HeartCode ACLS online course, Skills Only may be appropriate.
Check Your Current Certification Status
If you are searching for ACLS renewal near me, check your current certification and expiration date before registering.
Do not assume that an existing eCard automatically qualifies you for Skills Only. The applicable HeartCode completion documentation is what matters for that pathway.
Confirm the Location and Appointment
Once you know which course you need, select a convenient location and available appointment.
Citywide CPR’s location finder can help you identify available Citywide CPR training locations.
How Do I Find ACLS Classes Near Me With Citywide CPR?
Citywide CPR offers AHA ACLS certification and renewal options at locations in multiple cities and states. Citywide CPR
You can use the Citywide CPR location finder to search for a convenient location and then review the available ACLS options.
Citywide CPR’s ACLS certification page also explains the two primary pathways:
- Skills Only for participants who have already completed HeartCode ACLS
- Online + Skills for participants who need the full online and hands-on pathway
If you’re searching for AHA ACLS certification near me, choosing the correct course format is just as important as finding a convenient location.
When Will I Receive My AHA ACLS eCard?
After you successfully complete the applicable course requirements and required hands-on skills session, your official American Heart Association eCard is processed the same day according to applicable processing procedures.
Citywide CPR’s ACLS course information specifically states that the AHA ACLS eCard is provided after successful completion of the ACLS skills component.
If you need proof of certification for work, school or clinical requirements, make sure you complete every required component of your selected course pathway.
Need ACLS Certification or Renewal for Your Healthcare Staff?
Sometimes an ACLS certification near me search is actually being performed by a manager or administrator coordinating training for an entire healthcare team.
Healthcare organizations may have employees with different certification needs. Some employees may need BLS, while others may also need ACLS or PALS based on their roles and organizational requirements.
Citywide CPR can help healthcare organizations coordinate applicable BLS, ACLS and PALS certification and renewal for staff.
Depending on the organization’s needs, employees may use CPR Verification Station™ learning centers for individual Self-Guided Skills Sessions, while organizations can also explore applicable onsite or portable training options.
For organizations coordinating certification for multiple employees, see BLS, ACLS & PALS training for healthcare staff.
How Can I Prepare for an ACLS Skills Session?
A little preparation can make the skills appointment easier to navigate.
Before your appointment:
- Complete the required HeartCode ACLS online learning if your pathway includes it.
- Have your required completion documentation available if you selected Skills Only.
- Review the applicable ACLS concepts and skills.
- Use the Skills Demonstration Video Library to preview hands-on skills.
- Review the ACLS Study Guide for additional preparation.
- Confirm your appointment time and location.
The goal is to arrive knowing which course pathway you selected and what you need to complete during the skills session.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACLS Classes Near Me
How do I find an AHA ACLS class near me?
Start by confirming that your employer, hospital, school or clinical program requires AHA ACLS. Then choose the appropriate Online + Skills or Skills Only pathway and use the Citywide CPR location finder to find a convenient location and available appointment.
Can I renew ACLS through a Self-Guided Skills Session?
Yes, a Self-Guided Skills Session can be part of an applicable ACLS certification or renewal pathway. Your specific option depends on whether you need the HeartCode ACLS online course or have already completed the required online portion.
Do I need to complete HeartCode ACLS before my skills session?
If you select Online + Skills, you complete the applicable HeartCode ACLS online learning before the hands-on skills session. If you select Skills Only, you must already have completed the required HeartCode ACLS online course and provide the applicable completion documentation.
Is ACLS Skills Only the same as having an ACLS eCard?
No. An ACLS eCard and HeartCode ACLS online-course completion documentation are not interchangeable for purposes of selecting a Skills Only pathway. If you choose Skills Only, make sure you have completed the required HeartCode ACLS online course.
Does an instructor have to stand beside me during a Self-Guided ACLS Skills Session?
No. The Self-Guided format uses training technology that provides audio and visual guidance and real-time feedback during the skills experience. Citywide CPR support is available if assistance with the session or equipment is needed.
Will I receive my AHA ACLS eCard after completing the course?
After successfully completing the applicable course requirements and hands-on skills session, your official AHA ACLS eCard is processed the same day according to applicable processing procedures.
What if my employer requires a specific ACLS course?
Confirm the exact requirement with your employer, hospital, school or clinical program before registering. If they specifically require American Heart Association ACLS, verify that the course you select is the applicable AHA ACLS pathway.