The domination of online certification courses is hitting an all-time high due to your need to juggle between education and employment. One of the commonly enrolled healthcare courses is the online ACLS certification course. ACLS stands for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, a course specifically designed for healthcare professionals to learn, train, understand, and stay up-to-date with the latest life-saving techniques. The online certification training prepares you for emergencies related to the heart and lungs.
People often consider ACLS and BLS to be the same. However, the healthcare courses are different in terms of the training provided and the people who need to enroll in these courses. BLS stands for Basic Life Support and is meant for all registered nurses in the country.
BLS is a generic or commonly used term for any CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). In contrast, ACLS is primarily meant for registered nurses who function in a healthcare setting and take care of critically-ill patients. There are various ACLS certification courses online to choose from. However, before you decide, here is some vital information that you must know about the online course.
Table of Contents
AHA Provider Card
The American Heart Association (AHA) refers to a non-profit organization based in the country which funds cardiovascular research and makes people aware of a healthy lifestyle. It provides cardiac care to reduce disabilities and deaths due to heart diseases. This organization offers ACLS provider cards and is the only issuer of such cards in the country.
However, currently, AGA does not recognize online programs with all aspects completed online. However, other medical institutions may recognize your online ACLS certification course. It requires a physical skills assessment test to approve your course and issue an AHA card to you.
The Requirement of Skills Assessment
There is no skill assessment test needed for an entirely online ACLS course. However, you may notice that most of these online courses cover the course material usually covered in the skills assessment part of the curriculum. The key difference between an online and offline ACLS course is that the skills knowledge in the former remin tested through cognitive assessment.
Acceptance of Provider Card
In case you have a provider card, but your employer does not accept it, you may ask for a full refund from the website on which you enrolled for online ACLS certification. However, there is no guarantee that the website shall offer a 100% money-back guarantee. Hence, you are advised to discuss with your employer about the acceptance of a particular website’s card before enrolling for the certification.
The Outcome of the Exam – Pass/Fail
The process after you pass the ACLS online examination is simple and straightforward. The first thing to do is review and understand your online exam results. After doing so, you will have to place an inquiry into CME credits to acquire a provider card. Make sure the card is provided in a printable format. However, all this is applicable if the organization is willing to offer you the card.
In case you fail the ACLS exam, most websites shall permit you to retake the test. It may be of interest to you that most websites offer you unlimited chances to appear for the examination. However, the key lies in understanding the policy of your ACLS certification website. Make sure that there are no additional charges or long waiting periods for retaking the test.
Duration Needed to Receive Your Physical Provider Card
The general duration required to receive your physical provider card varies depending on the ACLS course website. Usually, you may receive the card within 2-5 business days from when you sent a request for it to the concerned organization. In some cases, providers may email you the Provider card, which is to remind downloaded or printed immediately.
Validity of Certification
The validity of online ACLS training is solely based on whether or not your employer shall accept the certification. The internet comprises websites offering ACLS certification. However, you must hold a prior discussion with your employer and select the online course approved or recognized by him.
But first, you must know whether your employer approves a fully online course. Typically, the ACLS certification/recertification course is valid for two years, irrespective of where you receive the certification.
The online ACLS certification is a vital course among registered nurses, especially those serving in healthcare facilities and caring for critically ill patients. There are various online websites to choose from to receive your certification. However, before enrolling yourself for the course, you must have proper knowledge about the online course and its specifications.
