ACLS Initial Certification – In-Person Classroom Course

The ACLS Initial Certification Course is the full, instructor-led pathway for healthcare providers who are new to ACLS or whose certification has expired for more than 6 months. This hands-on class follows the American Heart Association (AHA) ACLS Provider curriculum, including airway guidance, clinical algorithms, and team-based resuscitation practices.

Students learn to recognize and manage adult cardiac arrest, stroke, respiratory emergencies, and peri-arrest conditions using advanced assessment, clinical decision-making, and megacode simulations.

This in-person course includes full skills practice and skills testing with an AHA Instructor. Upon successful completion, students receive an official AHA ACLS Provider eCard.

What the ACLS Initial Course Covers

This course covers the complete AHA-approved ACLS Provider classroom learning objectives, including:

Clinical Skills & Assessment

• High-quality CPR with physiologic monitoring concepts
• Airway and ventilation management
• Rhythm recognition for cardiac arrest and peri-arrest rhythms
• ACLS medication review and indications
• ECG interpretation fundamentals for adult emergencies

Algorithm-Based Management

• Bradycardia and tachycardia pathways
• Cardiac arrest algorithm + shock optimization
• Respiratory failure identification and intervention steps
• ACS & stroke system-of-care pathways
• Opioid-associated life-threatening emergencies

Team Dynamics & Megacode Performance

• Closed-loop communication
• Shared mental models
• High-performance team roles
• Structured megacode decision-making under pressure

All students complete both the ACLS written exam and a hands-on megacode evaluation.

Why Choose In-Person ACLS Training?

Our in-person ACLS course is ideal for students who benefit from direct instructor guidance, hands-on skills practice, and scenario-based training.

• Real-time coaching from expert instructors
• Hands-on airway and rhythm interpretation practice
• High-fidelity megacode simulations
• Best choice for first-time ACLS students

Required Pre-Course Assessment (AHA Requirement)

The American Heart Association requires completion of a free pre-course assessment prior to attending in-person ACLS training. This assessment helps ensure students arrive prepared for hands-on instruction and scenario-based practice.  The assessment can be found here: https://elearning.heart.org/course/423

Certification

• Official AHA ACLS Provider eCard issued upon successful completion
• Certification is valid for two years
• Accepted by hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, EMS agencies, and other healthcare employers

Textbook Requirement

• Students are required to have the AHA-approved ACLS Provider Manual used for the current classroom curriculum. If you already own the textbook, you may bring it with you. Otherwise, it may be purchased during registration.

Training Locations

This ACLS Initial course is taught in person at:

Oakland Training Center

333 Hegenberger Rd, #855
Oakland, CA 94621

Prefer a convenient location option for your group of 8 or more?

Project Heartbeat makes every effort possible to provide classes available throughout the entire Bay Area.

In addition to classes conducted at one of our facilities, Project Heartbeat understands that it is much more convenient to send 1 instructor to your facility rather than sending all your students to ours. Therefore, any of our classes can be personalized to your needs and conducted at your home, workplace, school, hospital, or other healthcare facility.

Onsite classes can be scheduled 7 days a week during the morning, afternoon, early evening, or even during an extended work lunch break.

We will make every effort to tailor a class specific to your needs!