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Course Information

American Heart Association (AHA)

ECG & Emergency Pharmacology

ACLS and PALS Pre-Course Online: Recorded Lecture (Asynchronous)

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About

Overview

Walk into your ACLS or PALS course ready. This online review sharpens your rhythm recognition and your command of emergency drugs, doses, and routes, so the pre-test feels familiar instead of stressful.

This course is an excellent introduction to the ACLS and PALS curriculum. ACLS and PALS no longer teach ECG or Pharmacology, so students must know these topics before attending. This course brings you up to speed on ECG rhythm recognition, cardiac physiology, and pharmacology dosing and administration. Whether you are a practicing medical professional or just out of school, it will build your knowledge and confidence in handling cardiac emergencies.

This program prepares you for the ACLS and PALS pre-test. The AHA requires a score of 70% or higher to enter its ACLS or PALS program(s). If you are not taking an ACLS or PALS course, it is an excellent review of your ECG and Emergency Pharmacology skills.

Audience

Nursing (RN, LPN/LVN, NP), Physicians (MD/DO), PAs, EMS professionals, interns, students, and more.

This program is also for anyone preparing for an ACLS or PALS course, who needs to prepare for the pre-test, or who wants a review of ECG and Emergency Pharmacology skills.

Topics

ECG

Heart anatomy
Basic electrophysiology
Normal ECG measurements
Basic arrhythmias
And more

Emergency Pharmacology

Basic ACLS drugs and their usage
Drugs, doses, and routes of administration during cardiovascular emergencies
Integrating basic drug pharmacology into ACLS algorithms
And more

Agenda (Tentative)

Program outline (approximately 6.5 hours, recorded online lecture):

ECG: heart anatomy, basic electrophysiology, normal ECG measurements, basic arrhythmias
Emergency Pharmacology: basic ACLS drugs and their usage; drugs, doses, and routes of administration during cardiovascular emergencies; integrating basic drug pharmacology into ACLS algorithms

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Identify normal and basic abnormal ECG rhythms using fundamental cardiac electrophysiology.
Apply correct ACLS emergency pharmacology — drugs, doses, and routes of administration — for cardiovascular emergencies.
Integrate basic drug pharmacology into ACLS algorithms using current emergency-pharmacology guidelines.

Faculty

Faculty/Speaker

Lee Taylor-Vaughan, PhD, JD, RN, ACNP, CCRN-CSC-CMC, PCCN, CEN, TCRN, NREMT-P, LNC, CFRN

Lee is a native of Yorkshire, England, and began his healthcare career over 20 years ago in the emergency room and intensive care unit. His education includes EMT and paramedic training, a BS, an MS in nursing from Rutgers University, a Doctor of Law from Concord Law School, and a PhD from the University of Arizona.

Since 1997, Lee has provided continuing education for nurses, physicians, and other medical professionals. He co-authored the CEN® and CCRN® examination review books with Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio, RN, PhD, and travels across the USA teaching a range of exam review courses, including the CCRN review course with Laura.

Lee's career focuses primarily on emergency and critical care. He currently practices as an acute care nurse practitioner in a cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit in the New York City metro area.

Lee is an enthusiastic, down-to-earth, and energetic lecturer whose presentations are easy to follow. He holds national and international speaking engagements on many topics.

Headshot of Lee Taylor-Vaughan

The planners, presenters, and others in a position to control the content of this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. This educational activity is entirely free from commercial support or sponsorship, and there are no financial disclosures associated with the content of this seminar.

Tuition

Tuition and Course Materials

Tuition and payment options are shown on the registration page after you continue.

Refund, Cancellation, Transfer Policy

Refund policy: All registrations are final. Refunds, credits, extensions, and transfers are not available. Before registering, please confirm that you are available and able to complete the program.

Requirements

Pre-Course Requirements

This is the prerequisite program for the American Heart Association's (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and/or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) courses. It prepares you for the pre-test and your ACLS/PALS course. The AHA requires a score of 70% or higher on the pre-test to enter its ACLS or PALS program(s).

Course Completion Requirements

You will receive two certificates upon completion: one for ECG and one for Emergency Pharmacology.

Complete the entire program to earn contact hours and the completion certificates for ECG and Pharmacology. Partial credit is not awarded.
Contact hours certificates are emailed upon completion of the program.

CNE

Continuing Nursing Education (CNE): 6.5 hours, awarded upon program completion. No partial credit is awarded.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (Provider #CEP17561) and the Florida Board of Nursing (Provider #50-24286) for up to 6.5 contact hours.

Nursing continuing education is accepted in all 50 states.

Healthcare Training Academy is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). Provider #295-8/27

Duration

Program duration: approximately 6.5 hours.

The program is the same as the classroom version and is delivered as a recorded online instructor-led lecture.

FAQs

General Questions

Do you offer group/team discounts?
Yes. Please visit our Group Sales page to tell us about your group and our group sales team will reach out to discuss options.

How and when will I receive my contact hours / CE certificate?
Contact hours/CE certificates are issued once you complete all required components of the course (online modules, live/in-person sessions, and any required exam). Most are available in your account, or emailed, shortly after you complete every requirement - see this program's own CNE tab for its specific issuer and process.

What is your refund/transfer/cancellation policy?
See this program's Disclaimers tab for the full refund, transfer, and cancellation policy that applies to this course.

How long do I have access to the online portion of my course, and can it be extended?
Access windows vary by program - see this program's Duration tab for the exact access period. Extensions are not guaranteed and may require an additional license fee; email support@HCTAUSA.org to ask about your specific situation. (In-person-only programs have no online access window.)

How do I log in to access my course materials after registering?
Log in to your account on our website (HealthCareTrainingAcademy.org). Any online modules, live-session links, or other materials for your program will be available under "My Account."

What if I have a technical problem accessing my course materials or online portal?
Email support@HCTAUSA.org as soon as possible describing the issue. If your program includes a live virtual session, see that program's own FAQ or Topics tab for its specific platform and support details.

I don't see my question here. Who can I contact?
Email support@HCTAUSA.org and our office will get back to you.

Disclaimers

Accreditation and Approvals

Health Care Training Academy Inc. is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the New Jersey State Nurses Association, an accredited approver through the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Provider ID: P295-8/2027.
Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP17561.
Approved via CE Broker for FL, GA, SC, NC, and AK (Provider ID: 50-24286).

Nursing Contact Hours

Nursing continuing education is accepted in all 50 states.

Program Information

Conflicts of interest: The planning committee, presenters, faculty, authors, and content reviewers have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Presentation standards: All speakers are expected to give balanced, unbiased presentations. All content is reviewed, and any identified bias is addressed.
Program support: This program has no commercial support, joint providership, or sponsorship.

Important Information

Endorsement: Accreditation does not imply endorsement by The Health Care Training Academy (D/B/A CardiacEd), NJSNA, or ANCC of any commercial products shown during this program, if any.
ANCC policy: ANCC does not permit contact hours for BLS provider courses, except BLS Instructor courses.
College credit: This activity does not offer college credit unless explicitly stated.

Non-nursing professionals: Please check with your licensing board to confirm that nursing contact hours will satisfy your credential renewal. Refunds are not issued if your board does not accept nursing credits.

Criteria to Earn Contact Hours

You must complete the entire program to receive nursing continuing education credit.
Partial contact hours are not awarded. You must complete all program requirements to earn credit.

Required AHA Disclaimer: The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional material for this purpose. Use of these materials in an education course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course material, do not represent income to the association.

Support

This course is hosted directly by HCTA. For login, access, or registration questions, contact Support@hctausa.org or (732) 777-1191.