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FAQ

Below is a list of commonly asked question in regards to our courses...

 

 

Is there a grace period on my expiration date? How long can my card be expired before I have to take a full course instead of a renewal course? My card expired a year ago, can I take a renewal course?

There is NO grace period on American Heart Association cards. All AHA course cards are valid for 2 years through the end of the month in which the card was issued. The Course Director has the final authority for allowing a student to take a renewal course if he or she does not have a current AHA provider card, an AHA accepted equivalent card or if the expiration date is past. Students who present an expired provider card or do not possess a provider card may be allowed to take a renewal course but will not be given the option of remediation. If the student gets less than an 84% on the written or does not successfully pass the skills testing on their 1st attempt they will need to repeat the entire update (renewal) provider course, incurring all fees associated with the repeat class, if they cannot successfully meet the course completion requirements when tested. Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC Course Directors will NOT recommend a participant taking a renewal course if the card expired a year ago.

I lost my original card. How do I get a replacement card?
If you took your course at Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC, contact us at (603) 890-3533 so we can confirm your course date in our database. We can then issue you a replacement card, which is as valid as the original card. The replacement card will have the same dates as the original card. The fee for a replacement card is $10.00. If you did NOT take the course with us, you will need to contact the organization that provided your course to obtain a replacement card.

Do I have to hold a current BLS Healthcare Provider (HCP) card to take an advanced life support (ACLS, PALS) course?
No, students in advanced life support courses are not required to have a current BLS Healthcare Provider (HCP) card, but they are expected to be proficient in BLS HCP skills.

Can I obtain my BLS HCP card in combination with ACLS or PALS?
Yes, you may obtain a BLS HCP card in addition to your ACLS or PALS card by completing the BLS HCP Online Program with Skills Competency. You complete the online self-directed eLearning program for BLS prior to attending ACLS or PALS and bring your BLS online course completion certificate with you to ACLS or PALS. In the BLS portion of ACLS or PALS, the instructor will add the skills competency components of the BLS program to meet criteria in obtaining your BLS card. You will end up with both a BLS and an ACLS or PALS card at the completion of the course. There is an additional fee for the BLS HCP Online Program with Skills Competency component.

Are AHA provider cards valid nationwide?
Yes, AHA provider cards are valid nationwide, no matter where you took the AHA course.

I have an American Red Cross provider card. Can I take an American Heart Association Renewal Course?
Yes, the AHA recognizes the ARC provider course as equivalent in content to the comparable AHA Provider course.

Is the Educational Critical Care Concepts BLS HCP course a full or renewal course?
The Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC BLS HCP course meets criteria for both full and renewal courses.

There is an option to purchase the course with or without the manual. Do I NEED to have a manual?
Each student MUST have the current appropriate course textbook readily available for use before, during, and after the course. Textbooks are designed for individual use and are an integral part of the student’s education before, during, and after the course. Students may reuse their textbooks during renewals until new science guidelines are published. The most current edition of AHA course materials are required (see website for current required manual editions).

After I complete a course at Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC, how long before I receive my course completion card and how do I get it?
Participants receive their course completion card immediately upon successful completion of the course at Educational Critical Care Concepts.

What are the student to manikin ratios at Educational Critical Care Concepts?
Educational Critical Care Concepts provides 1:1 student/manikin ratios in most of their courses. At Educational Critical Care Concepts, we believe that the learner’s experience is enhanced by each participant having their own set of equipment. It also alleviates any concerns of cross contamination issues. All CPR masks, filters, manikins and accessory equipment are soaked/washed with a bleach solution. The lungs of each manikin are changed after each class.

Are Continuing Medical Education / Continuing Education Units provided for courses at Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC?
All AHA courses provided at Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC follow strict adherence to AHA guidelines and core content. The NH and MA Boards of Nursing do not require nursing continuing education to be approved by an accrediting body. Educational activities at Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC have not been approved by any accrediting body. Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC provides a course completion certificate attesting to one contact hour being equivalent to 60 minutes of organized learning. A certificate is supplied to the participant for all Basic Dysrhythmia, ACLS Full, and PALS Full Courses. Certificates for BLS, Heartsaver and Renewal Courses are provided to participants upon request but are not recognized by the NH and MA boards of nursing as continuing education credits as it is renewal information; not newly learned content. 

Are continuing education credits awarded for EMS students?
Continuing Education credits are offered through CECBEMS (Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services) for EMS professionals. AHA offers CE for the following courses; ACLS and ACLS Update, Airway Management, ECG & Pharmacology, PALS and PALS Update. After attending one of these courses, Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC will update the AHA continuing education website and you will receive an email notification from the AHA on how to claim your credits.

How do I get the online access key for an eLearning program?
Upon purchase, Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC will email instructions on how to complete the online eLearning program and provide you with an online access key code. After completion of the online program, you need to call Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC at (603) 890-3533 to set up your skills competency appointment. All skills competencies are done by appointment offering flexibility to the participant. Generally, Educational Critical Care Concepts, LLC can schedule a skills competency appointment within one week of your phone call.

How long does the BLS HCP Online program take to do?
The BLS HCP Online program typically takes individual 1-2 hours to complete. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student.

How long does the BLS HCP Skills Competency appointment take?
The BLS HCP Skills Competency appointment takes approximately 15-30 minutes. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student.

How long does the Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED Online program take to do?
The Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED Online program typically takes about 2 ½ hours to complete. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student.

How long does the Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED Skills Competency appointment take?
The Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED Skills Competency appointment takes approximately 45 minutes. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student.

How long does the Heartsaver First Aid Online program take to do?
The Heartsaver First Aid Online program typically takes 1-2 hours to complete. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student.

How long does the Heartsaver First Aid Skills Competency appointment take?
The Heartsaver First Aid Skills Competency appointment takes approximately 15-20 minutes. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student.

How long does the Heartsaver CPR and AED Online program take to do?
The Heartsaver CPR and AED Online Program takes approximately 2 hours to complete. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student.

How long does the Heartsaver CPR and AED Skills Competency appointment take?
The Heartsaver CPR and AED Skills Competency appointment takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student.

How long does the ACLS Heartcode eLearning program take to complete?
Participants have reported that it has taken them anywhere from 6-16 hours to complete this program. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student. (See a complete list of ACLS Heartcode eLearning FAQ here)

What does the ACLS Heartcode Skills Competency consist of?
The ACLS Heartcode Skills Competency consists of correct use of bag-mask ventilation, BLS with AED operation, application of algorithms in a megacode scenario utilizing a conventional defibrillator including cardioversion, defibrillation and transcutaneous pacing.

How long does the ACLS Heartcode Skills Competency appointment take?
Educational Critical Care Concepts provides a one hour appointment to complete the required (Part 2) practice and (Part 3) skills competencies testing. This time will vary depending on the experience level of the student. Some individuals take 20-30 minutes, others require the full one hour. Opportunity to review algorithms, practice skills and ask questions is allowed prior to testing (Part 3 is testing).