Principle

Overview 

To foster an environment of safe, high-quality healthcare; the Faculty of Medicine (FoM) and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) are committed to ensuring Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training is available to Postgraduate Learners. ACLS training is of particular importance to Learners who direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies. ACLS certification is valid for two (2) years.

Purpose

To identify the Learners requiring ACLS training and recertification.

Scope

All Postgraduate Training Programs at Memorial University (Memorial). This policy does not apply to Learners who hold Fellowship certification from the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC).

Definitions

Learner — A trainee registered in a postgraduate training program accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).

Postgraduate Training Program — A period of training in a specific discipline of medicine prescribed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) leading to certification by one of these bodies.

Policy

1.0    Incoming first-year Learners (except Pediatric Learners) must be certified in ACLS prior to the commencement of their postgraduate training. 

1.1    Pediatric Learners must be certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) for the entirety of their Postgraduate Training Program.

2.0    To be eligible to complete ACLS training, an individual must hold current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification obtained within the past twelve (12) months. 

3.0    Continued certification in ACLS is mandatory for Learners completing training experiences or electives in the following clinical areas:

3.1    Anesthesia;

3.2    Emergency Medicine;

3.3    General Surgery;

3.4    Internal Medicine (including subspecialty General Internal Medicine until the Learner is FRCPC certified); and/or

3.5    Critical Care.

4.0    Learner are responsible for maintaining ACLS certification as required.

5.0    Learners who choose to undertake an extracurricular call in the clinical areas listed in Section 3.0 must be certified in ACLS. 

6.0    Visiting Learners completing required training experiences or electives in the clinical areas listed in Section 3.0 must be certified in ACLS.

Procedure

A.0   First-Year Learners

A.1.    An ACLS course is available to incoming Learners, each June, on a first-come, first-served basis (limited number of seats available) prior to the start of their Postgraduate Training.

A.2.    Proof of BLS and/or ACLS certification must be provided to the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) office by the deadline indicated on the PGME website.

B.0    ACLS Recertification 

B.1.    For those who are hoping to be recertified within two years, a refresher course is available.

B.2.    Learners are responsible for contacting the NLHS ACLS Coordinator to register for ACLS courses. 

C.0    Learners may complete external ACLS courses, subject to the approval of the ACLS Coordinator and/or the Medical Director.

Procedures:

There are no procedures associated with this policy.