BLS Courses for VCU Health System Employees
This section is for VCU Health System employees only.
Travel agency positions should not take these courses.
| Course Options | Registration |
|---|---|
| BLS Provider - Traditional In-person Instructor-Led - Clinical team members with job descriptions that require BLS certification and who are taking BLS for the first time. This option can be used for those that prefer in person training to renew a BLS certification that has lapsed. 4.5 hours | |
| BLS Renewal - Traditional in-person instructor-Led - Clinical team members with job descriptions that require BLS and are renewing a current, unexpired BLS certification through a traditional in-person class. 3.5 hours | |
|
BLS HeartCode - Hybrid - For clinical team members with job descriptions that require BLS certification and who prefer the hybrid course format. This option may be used to renew a current certification, renew a lapsed certification, or for those previously participating in the RQI program. Participant MUST complete the required online portion of the course before coming to the skills session. 2 hours (in person session) |
|
| HeartSaver CPR+AED - Traditional Instructor-Led. Available for non-clinical team members and non-direct patient care roles with job descriptions that do not require BLS certification. 3 hours |
Which class do I take?
1. Does the scope of practice for your employed position include the use of a bag-valve mask device?
- No - if your position requires that you hold certification in CPR, you must take the HeartSaver course.
- Yes - Go onto the next question
2. Does your position of employment include patient care?
- No patient care/ non clinical (administration, unit security, security, etc) (see full list here--insert modal link) if your position requires that you hold certification in CPR, you must take the HeartSaver course.
- Yes - Go onto the next question
3. Previous certification
- RQI - if you previously participated in the VCU Health RQI program AND your certification is still valid, you can take EITHER the BLS HeartCode OR an in-person BLS Instructor-Led Renewal course.
- Current AHA BLS certification - if you hold a valid AHA BLS certification, you can take EITHER the BLS HeartCode OR an in-person BLS Instructor-Led Renewal course.
- No current AHA BLS certification - if you do not hold a current BLS certification through the AHA, you must take an in-person BLS Instructor-Led Provider Course.
Need further help? Use our decision tool to help you decide which course.
What is the difference among all the courses?
HeartSaver - teaches chest compressions, use of an AED, and artificial respirations with a pocket mask. In-person. ~ 3.5 hours.
BLS - certification for professional healthcare providers. Participants use a bag-valve mask for patient care.
Instructor-Led Provider - the full certification course. For those that have never held an AHA BLS certification or their AHA BLS certification is expired. In-person. 4.5 hours.
Instructor-Led Renewal - update course for those that have a current AHA BLS certification or current RQI BLS participant. In-person. 3.5 hours.
HeartCode - for those that have a current AHA BLS certification. Includes an online module (~2 hours) that must be completed prior to coming to the in-person portion. The in-person portion includes the skills videos and skills testing. 1.5 hours.