The American Heart Association provides training to all levels of providers, from lay rescuer to physician, in emergency cardiovascular care.There is a formal emphasis placed on the consistency of educational programs provided by American Heart Association instructors.Through this emphasis the “Core Instructor” program was introduced with the 2005 guidelines update. The “Core Instructor” program provides the educational theory and foundation found in all American Heart Association programs. The “Core Instructor” course is a required prerequisite to become an instructor of any of the American Heart Association disciplines. Once the Core Instructor Course is completed, it is only the discipline specific module(s) (CPR, ACLS, PALS) that need to be completed to become instructor certified in that discipline.

Core Instructor Course

Intended Audience: Any AHA provider that wants to become an American Heart Association Instructor for any American Heart Association discipline that they are currently credentialed in
Prerequisite:None
Course Design: This course can be taken in any of 3 different formats:

• Internet Based: This course can be taken via the American Heart Association Website at: www.professionaleducationcenter.americanheart.org
• CD-ROM: This self directed computer based program (CD and text book package) is available through the NHSHP Training Center at a cost of $35. This program can be done at the students own pace and typically takes approximately 5 hours to complete.
• Instructor Led: This traditional style program is instructor led, and can be accomplished in a classroom setting in eight hours.

The “Core Instructor” program is based on the educational competencies, as set by the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI), and provides education on 20 key competencies, presented in the following seven modules:

• Introduction
• Professional Foundations
• Planning and Preparation
• Classroom Management
• Instructional Methods and Strategies
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Course Conclusion

Upon successful completion, students will be receiving a course completion certificate. This certificate can then be used to participate in an American Heart Association Instructor Class for the discipline they would like to teach.

ACLS Instructor

Intended Audience: Any currently certified ACLS Provider interested in teaching ACLS.
Prerequisite: Core Instructor Course Completion
Course Length: 8 hours

The ACLS Instructor course provides the discipline specific information needed to teach any ACLS program. During this course, you will be presented with the American Heart Association standards for successful preparation, instruction, testing, and remediation associated with conducting a ACLS course as well as being taught any Training Center specific information (i.e. rosters, card processing, and fees).

Upon successful completion, the Instructor Candidate must successfully complete a current provider exam and be monitored in teaching one course by a Training Center Faculty Member.