Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

ACLS is an advanced, instructor-led classroom course 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.

ACLS is designed for health care professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care and critical care units.

The Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Course utilizes case-based teaching to provide the student with guided training and hands-on practice in the key skills of BLS and ACLS. The key ACLS skills taught per American Heart Association guidelines include use of conventional defibrillator and monitors, review of advanced airway management, recognition of cardiac arrest rhythms and the most common bradycardias and tachycardias. Learning opportunities include both lecture format, small group learning and hands-on skill labs.

ACLS must be recertified every two years.

Audience

ACLS is designed for health care professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care and critical care units.

Course Offerings

OSF Northern Region EMS Card Courses are held at the OSF Northern Region EMS Office, 5510 E. State St., Rockford.   The entrance is located on the north side of the OSF Center for Health building.

• All Provider courses begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.
• All Recertification courses begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 pm.
• Students MUST pre-register with Jesse Shaw, EMS System Coordinator, (815) 395-4622 or Lisa Kirane, EMS Training Supervisor, (815) 395-4901.
• A minimum of 3 students must be registered for the course.

ACLS Provider and Recertification Courses are scheduled for the following dates in 2025:

Recertification Course Schedule - 2025

ACLS Provider Course Schedule - 2026

ACLS Recertification Course Schedule - 2026
BLS Recertification to follow ACLS

Education Forms