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 - For clinical positions that need BLS certification but have not taken the AHA BLS course before OR if their BLS card has expired. 4.5 hours | |
| BLS Renewal - Traditional in-person instructor-Led - For clinical positions that hold a current BLS certification or current RQI certification. 3.5 hours | |
| BLS HeartCode - Hybrid - Online content plus in-person skills session. For clinical positions that hold a current BLS certification or current RQI certification. Participant MUST complete the required online portion of the course before coming to the skills session. 2 hours (in person session) | |
| HeartSaver - For non-clinical positions where a CPR course is required for their job. |
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.