Professional Courses

The Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider course is a complete in-person experience where you will learn through lectures, video segments, practice and coaching, guided by a Heart & Stroke instructor. Receive ample opportunity to apply your skills and receive feedback before the evaluation. You will learn single- and multi-rescuer basic life support skills with a focus on high-quality CPR and team dynamics in a wide variety of settings, including prehospital and in-facility settings.

The skills you learn in BLS will enable you to:

• Recognize a cardiac arrest
• Activate the emergency response system early
• Respond quickly and confidently
• Perform high-quality single-rescuer CPR and multi-rescuer team CPR

This course will ensure people in cardiac arrest have the best chance of survival.

BLS is a prerequisite for advanced resuscitation courses and many healthcare-related training programs. Current certification is often required for employment in the healthcare field.

Certification Valid For: 1 year

Prerequisite Requirements: No prerequisite requirements. The BLS Provider course is ideal for healthcare professionals and trained first responders as well those who are new to BLS or do not frequently use their resuscitation skills.

Required Course Materials  (must be purchased ahead of course start date): 2020 Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Manual RE3410

Cost: $75 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Number of seats: 2 per session 

Course Duration: 4 hours

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://cpr.heartandstroke.ca/s/article/Course-BLS-Provider?language=en_US

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Basic Life Support (BLS) Renewal is a fast-paced course designed for experienced healthcare providers who are routinely called on to apply their resuscitation skills. Delivered entirely in the classroom, it covers single-rescuer and multi-rescuer basic life support skills for prehospital and in-facility environments, focusing on high-quality CPR and team dynamics.

The BLS Renewal course assumes comprehensive awareness, knowledge, and skill proficiency in Heart & Stroke BLS concepts. This fast-paced course is for students who are confident in their BLS skills, use their skills regularly, require limited practice and who already possess a valid Heart & Stroke BLS certificate to renew their credentials for another year.

BLS is a prerequisite for advanced resuscitation courses and many healthcare-related training programs. Current certification is often required for employment in the healthcare field.

Certification Valid For: 1 year

Prerequisite Requirements: All registrants must hold a current BLS certification (within 1 year).

For those with expired BLS certifications, in order to be granted access to register for the BLS Renewal course you must complete the BLS Prerequisite Challenge

Required Course Materials (must be purchased ahead of course start date): 2020 Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Manual RE3410

Cost: $50 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Number of seats: 2 per session 

Course Duration: 2 hours

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://cpr.heartandstroke.ca/s/article/Course-BLS-Provider?language=en_US

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Our ACLS Provider course will help you to develop skills – as a member of a healthcare team – in simulated situations that mirror real-life cardiac-related emergencies in your work life.

These simulations will involve high-quality CPR, high-performance team dynamics and communication, systems of care, recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, acute dysrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes. You will be able to reinforce concepts, undertake skills practice, receive coaching and correction, and refine your abilities before final testing.

What you’re expected to know before taking this course

For you to achieve the best possible learning outcomes from our ACLS Provider course, you will need to possess clinical skills, knowledge and proficiency in:

• High-quality BLS
• Recognition of common cardiac ECG rhythms
• Effective management of airways and use of adjuncts
• Knowledge of cardiac pharmacology
• Practical management of complex cases
• High-performance team skills

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: All registrants must hold a current BLS certification (within 1 year) and completed the ACLS Precourse Self-Assessment Certificate (achieving a passing score of 70% or above)

Required Course Materials (must be purchased ahead of course start date): 2020 Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider Manual RE5610 and 2020 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Provider RE0130

Cost: $300 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Number of seats: 2

Course Duration: 16 hours (2 days)

Information Required to Register: Heart and Stroke Foundation number or the email used to register with them

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://cpr.heartandstroke.ca/s/acls?language=en_US

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Our Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider Renewal course tests and strengthens your high-level skills and knowledge involving core ACLS concepts in simulated, cardiac-related emergency situations to help you in your practice.

In this concentrated course, your proficiency will be evaluated in high-quality CPR, high-performance team dynamics and communication, systems of care, recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, acute dysrhythmia, stroke, acute coronary syndromes, and more.

What you’re expected to know before taking this course

For you to achieve the best possible learning outcomes from our ACLS Provider course, you will need to possess clinical skills, knowledge and proficiency in:

• High-quality BLS
• Recognition of common cardiac ECG rhythms
• Effective management of airways and use of adjuncts
• Knowledge of cardiac pharmacology
• Practical management of complex cases
• High-performance team skills

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: All registrants must hold a current BLS certification (within 1 year), and a current ACLS Provider certification (within 2 years) and completed the ACLS Precourse Self-Assessment Certificate (achieving a passing score of 70% or above)

Required Course Materials (must be purchased ahead of course start date): 2020 Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider Manual RE5610 and

2020 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Provider RE0130

Cost: $200 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Course Duration: 8 hours

Information Required to Register: Heart and Stroke Foundation number or the email used to register with them

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://cpr.heartandstroke.ca/s/acls?language=en_US

Heart & Stroke’s short, foundational resuscitation program focuses on practical skills and knowledge that will help you to respond confidently and effectively in a cardiac arrest emergency. Our program is geared to students with little or no medical training – making it ideal for you if your job requires you to learn life-saving techniques for the workplace or if you’re simply interested in developing these critical skills.

What you can expect in all Heartsaver® courses*

• Introduction to CPR and AED: How high-quality CPR improves survival and the critical role of lay responders in the Chain of Survival.
• Signs of cardiac arrest: A review of the signs including sudden collapse, unresponsiveness, not breathing normally or making gasping sounds.
• CPR: Learn how to perform high-quality CPR – chest compressions and breaths using mouth-to-mouth or a pocket mask.
• AED (automated external defibrillator): Learn how to use an AED. 
• Choking relief: Learn the critical techniques to help a person who is choking.
• Other life-threatening emergencies: Learn how to help someone in an opioid-associated life-threatening emergency and a drowning emergency.
• Hands-on practice: Doing CPR and using an AED on mannequins to build confidence and proficiency.
• Scenario-based training: Applying your knowledge and skills to simulated cardiac arrest emergency situations to build confidence and readiness to respond in real-life situations, with a greater focus on women in cardiac arrest. 

**Note- all above information is taken directly from the Heart and Stroke Foundation website https://cpr.heartandstroke.ca/s/bls?language=en_US

Certification Valid For: 2 years 

Prerequisite Requirements: No prerequisite requirements. The Heartsaver course is designed for students who come from an array of professions, backgrounds and interests that include: 

• Healthcare and allied health professionals (such as personal support workers/healthcare aides, medical technicians, dentists, dental hygienists, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and medical/dental office assistants)
• Non-healthcare professionals (such as security guards, early childhood educators, personal trainers and fitness instructors)
• Volunteers (involved with churches, libraries, community centres/events, clubs, caretaking and more)
• General public (who have an interest in developing CPR and AED life-saving skills) 

Required Course Materials (must be purchased ahead of course start date): 2020 Heartsaver® CPR AED Student Workbook RE1510

Cost: $40 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Number of seats: 4 

Course Duration: 4 hours 

Information Required to Register: Heart and Stroke Foundation number or the email used to register with them

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://cpr.heartandstroke.ca/s/heartsaver?language=en_US

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Our Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Blended Provider course will help you to develop individual skills – as a member of a healthcare team – in simulated real-life situations that mirror your work life in which you’ll need to recognize and respond to cardiopulmonary arrests or other cardiovascular emergencies involving pediatric patients. The blended learning format will allow you to delve into parts of the curriculum on your own time and at your own pace through an online learning platform. The online course work must be completed prior to attending the in-person course.

These simulations will involve high-quality CPR, high-performance team dynamics and communication, and a systematic approach to pediatric assessment that includes the evaluate-identify-intervene sequence. You will be able to reinforce concepts, undertake skills practice, receive coaching and correction, and refine your abilities before final testing. 

What you’re expected to know before taking this course

For you to achieve the best possible learning outcomes from our PALS Provider course, you will need to possess clinical skills, knowledge and proficiency in:

• High-quality BLS 
• Recognition of common pediatric cardiac ECG rhythms
• Effective airway management and use of adjuncts
• Knowledge of pediatric cardiopulmonary pharmacology 
• Practical management of complex cases
• High-performance team skills

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: All registrants must hold a current BLS certification (within 1 year), complete the PALS Precourse Self-Assessment Certificate (achieving a passing score of 70% or above), and complete all online course content. The access key will be provided to you after registration is complete.

Required Course Materials (must be purchased ahead of course start date) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider Manual RE6210 and 2020 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Provider RE0130

Cost: $275 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Number of seats: 2

Course Duration: 8 hours classroom learning and self-paced online learning

Information Required to Register: Heart and Stroke Foundation number or the email used to register with them

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://cpr.heartandstroke.ca/s/pals?language=en_US&tab=tab4

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The Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS) Provider course is an intermediary pediatric skills course that builds on BLS concepts and can be a stepping stone towards certification in pediatric advanced life support (PALS). PEARS equips healthcare providers who periodically care for pediatric patients with foundational skills to participate in the initial management of respiratory and shock emergencies, and cardiopulmonary arrest. PEARS is designed for healthcare providers and first responders who provide care to patients in a wide variety of settings, including rural health centres, schools, or large urban health centres with diverse ranges in scope of practice among staff.

Active case-based instruction will be used to teach students to provide appropriate lifesaving interventions within the initial minutes after response until the child is transferred to advanced life support care.

Features

• Reflects science of the most recent Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC)
• Hands-on class format reinforces pediatric Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Simulation, video demonstration, and real-world scenarios

Content

• High-quality CPR for children and infants, including team dynamics
• Systematic approach to pediatric assessment
• Recognition and stabilization of respiratory emergencies
• Recognition and stabilization of shock emergencies
• Recognition and stabilization of cardiopulmonary arrest
• Multi-rescuer resuscitation

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: All registrants must hold a current BLS certification (within 1 year)

Required Course Materials (must be purchased ahead of course start date): Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS) Provider Manual RE7110 and 2020 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Provider RE0130

Cost: $150 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Number of seats: 2

Course Duration: 8 hours

Information Required to Register: Heart and Stroke Foundation number or the email used to register with them

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://cpr.heartandstroke.ca/s/article/Course-PEARS-Provider?language=en_US

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Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is an educational program that introduces the concepts and skills of neonatal resuscitation. In Canada, NRP is administered by the Canadian Paediatric Society and is designed to teach individuals and teams who may be required to resuscitate newborn babies.

NRP is designed for health care providers expected to participate in neonatal resuscitation as a part of their professional role.

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: Must be a licensed or regulated health professional, or a student of a licensed or regulated health profession, pre-read the NRP Textbook, and successfully complete the NRP online exam within 30 days of the in-person course.

Required Course Materials (must be purchased ahead of course start date): NRP Textbook

Cost: $200 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Course Duration: 8 hours

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://cps.ca/en/nrp-prn

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is an educational program that introduces the concepts and skills of neonatal resuscitation. In Canada, NRP is administered by the Canadian Paediatric Society and is designed to teach individuals and teams who may be required to resuscitate newborn babies.

NRP is designed for health care providers expected to participate in neonatal resuscitation as a part of their professional role.

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: Must be a licensed or regulated health professional, or a student of a licensed or regulated health profession, hold a current NRP certification (within the last 2 years), pre-read the NRP Textbook, and successfully complete the NRP online exam within 30 days of the in-person course.

Required Course Materials (must be purchased ahead of course start date): NRP Textbook

Cost: $100 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Course Duration: 4 hours

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://cps.ca/en/nrp-prn

The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) course will cover the origins and role of triage, review and enhance assessment skills, apply standards of emergency nursing, introduce Canadian Emergency Department Information System (CEDIS) Presenting Complaint List, prioritize patient care using CTAS, and demonstrate understanding of ED processes.

The Canadian Triage & Acuity Scale (CTAS) is a tool that enables Emergency Departments (ED) to:

• Prioritize patient care and access requirements
• Examine patient flow and care processes
• Complement other workload, case mix, and resource requirement measures

The CTAS supports ED nurses and physicians to:

• Triage patients according to acuity, risk, and care needs based on their presenting signs and symptoms
• Ensure that the sickest and highest risk patients are seen first when ED capacity has been exceeded
• Reassess patients required to wait for a treatment space

Certification Valid For: Does not expire. Recommended to review every 2 years.

Cost: $75 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Course Duration: 8 hours

Number of seats: 4

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: https://ctas-phctas.ca/

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The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Training prepares you to prevent and de-escalate medium to high-risk behaviour using both restrictive and non-restrictive methods. This course will provide you with the tools to create a plan for objectively responding to high-risk behaviour, reducing the chance of severe outcomes.

It will also explore the effects of trauma and the psychology of the brain on the person in crisis as well as the responding individual.

This course will help equip you with problem-solving and decision-making skills to recognize the level of risk and apply the most appropriate verbal and/or physical interventions to:

• Improve decision making
• Minimize physical interventions
• Gain the confidence to recognize risk behaviour & respond to defensive behaviours
• Understand what’s behind behaviour
• Address the needs of the individual

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: The NCVI course is designated for healthcare providers

Cost: $75 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Number of seats: 6

Course Duration: 8 hours

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional information: https://www.crisisprevention.com/en-CA/Our-Programs/Nonviolent-Crisis-Intervention

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This condensed training is designed for healthcare providers who have previously certified in the Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Training.

It will help prepare you to prevent and de-escalate medium to high-risk behaviour using both restrictive and non-restrictive methods. This course will provide you with the tools to create a plan for objectively responding to high-risk behaviour, reducing the chance of severe outcomes.

It will also explore the effects of trauma and the psychology of the brain on the person in crisis as well as the responding individual.

This course will help equip you with problem-solving and decision-making skills to recognize the level of risk and apply the most appropriate verbal and/or physical interventions to:

• Improve decision making
• Minimize physical interventions
• Gain the confidence to recognize risk behaviour & respond to defensive behaviours
• Understand what’s behind behaviour
• Address the needs of the individual

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: Current NVCI certification

Cost: $50 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Course Duration: 4 hours

Information Required to Register: Previous NVCI certificate of completion

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional information: https://www.crisisprevention.com/en-CA/Our-Programs/Nonviolent-Crisis-Intervention

Attending this two-day course will train you to intervene with an individual who is thinking about suicide.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop—anyone 18 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.

After attending this workshop, participants feel more ready, willing, and able to help someone considering suicide.

This workshop contains content that may be upsetting for some people, especially those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Certification Valid For: Does not expire. Recommended review every 2-3 years.

Prerequisite Requirements: Must be 18 years of age or older

Cost: $250 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Course Duration: 16 hours (2 days)

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional information: https://www.suicideinfo.ca/workshop/asist/

Learning Objectives for the Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS) course include:

• Describe the Canadian recommendations for fetal health surveillance during labour.
• Identify the definitions, characteristics, etiology, physiology/pathophysiology of IA, intrapartum EFM and NST findings.
• Apply FHS classification and interpretation to IA, intrapartum EFM and NST findings within the whole clinical picture for decision making.
• Describe the appropriate clinical management/response for prevention and/or correction of abnormal IA, atypical/abnormal intrapartum EFM, and NST findings.
• Describe antenatal surveillance techniques including fetal movement counting, NST, and biophysical profile.
• Discuss teamwork, communication and documentation as they relate to fetal health surveillance and perinatal outcomes.

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: The Fundamentals of FHS Program consist of 2 parts:

1. Review of the online Fundamentals of Fetal Health Surveillance – A Self-Learning Manual and successful completion of the Canadian Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS) Online Exam is required prior to attending the workshop.
2. Attendance and participation in the workshop

The exam certificate must be submitted to Brockville General Hospital two (2) days prior to the workshop date. You will not be able to attend the workshop without submitting the certificate. The Canadian Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS) Online Exam is available for purchase under the Final Evaluation tab in the online Fundamentals of Fetal Health Surveillance – A Self-Learning Manual. The cost of the online exam ($30) is not included in the price of the workshop. Please note the reading of the online manual and completion of the online exam may take you up to 8 hours, please plan accordingly.

This program is intended for interprofessional health care providers who want to learn, review and apply fundamental concepts related to fetal health surveillance in labour.

Cost: $175 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Course Duration: 8 hours

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: http://www.cmnrp.ca/en/cmnrp/Workshops_p550.html

Learning objectives for the Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS) Recertification course include:

• Describe various methods of intrapartum fetal assessment with emphasis on intermittent auscultation and electronic fetal surveillance.
• Explain maternal-fetal physiology and pathophysiology.
• Discuss the clinical management of FHR interpretation.
• Identify strategies to mitigate risks through improved interdisciplinary communication, collaboration and management.

Certification Valid For: 2 years

Prerequisite Requirements: Previous FHS certificate of completion. This program is intended for interprofessional health care providers with previous FHS education and clinical experience with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in intrapartum fetal surveillance. A minimum of 1 year experience is suggested. This course is not appropriate

for the inexperienced practitioner.

Required Course Materials: The Fundamentals of FHS Program consist of 2 parts:

1. Review of the online Fundamentals of Fetal Health Surveillance – A Self-Learning Manual and successful completion of the Canadian Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS) Online Exam is required prior to attending the workshop.
2. Attendance and participation in the workshop

The exam certificate must be submitted to Brockville General Hospital two (2) days prior to the workshop date. You will not be able to attend the workshop without submitting the certificate. The Canadian Fetal Health Surveillance (FHS) Online Exam is available for purchase under the Final Evaluation tab in the online Fundamentals of Fetal Health Surveillance – A Self-Learning Manual. The cost of the online exam (30$) is not included in the price of the workshop. Please note the reading of the online manual and completion of the online exam may take you up to 8 hours, please plan accordingly.

This program is intended for interprofessional health care providers who want to learn, review and apply fundamental concepts related to fetal health surveillance in labour.

Cost: $100 (Must be paid in advance by the session registration deadline)

Course Duration: 4 hours

Information Required to Register: Previous FHS certificate of completion

Course Coordinator Contact: Open new window to send an email to Gaelen Armstrong

Additional Information: http://www.cmnrp.ca/en/cmnrp/Workshops_p550.html