Training courses

The advanced life support (ALS) course aims to give candidates the required skills to lead a multidisciplinary team in managing an acutely unwell/deteriorating patient and cardiac arrest.

The course covers the following topics:

• Recognition and treatment of the deteriorating patient using a structured ABCDE approach
• Delivery of standardised CPR in adults
• Managing/leading a cardiac arrest
• Tachycardia and bradycardia management
• Cardiac rhythm recognition
• Blood gas analysis
• Special circumstances (asthma, anaphylaxis, electrolyte imbalance, pregnancy, hypovolemia and posioning)
• Utilisation of non-technical skills to facilitate strong team leadership and effective team membership.

 

Who is it aimed at?

The ALS provider course is designed for healthcare professionals who would be expected to apply the skills taught as part of their clinical duties. All candidates must hold a professional healthcare qualification.

Appropriate participants include:

• Doctors
• Paramedics
• Nurses who work in acute care areas such as ED, CCU, ICU, HDU, operating theatres, acute medical admissions units.
• Operating department practitioners (ODP) who work in acute care areas such as ED, CCU, ICU, HDU, operating theatres, acute medical admissions units.
• Resuscitation/ medical emergency/ critical care outreach teams who are expected to carry the cardiac arrest bleep

 

How long is it?

e-ALS course = one day pre course learning with one day face-to-face training

2 day ALS course = 2 days face-to-face training

ALS recertification course = 1 day face-to-face training for staff who require an ALS update (ALS qualifications are valid for 4 years) NB: if more than a year has elapsed since the expiry of ALS certificate, a full ALS course is required.

 

How will I be assessed?

• Continual assessment occurs throughout the ALS course during the skills stations and cardiac arrest simulations. Candidates need to ensure they demonstrate core competencies in A-E assessment, good quality chest compressions at the correct rate, depth and recoil, airway management skills and safe use of a defribillator to go through for the testing.
• At the end of the course a post course multiple choice questionnaire and a cardiac arrest test scenario will be completed by the candidate. Both elements need to be successfully completed to obtain certification.
• There is an expectation that all candidates act with probity and prepare adequately for attendance at the face-to-face element of the course. Prior to the course the candidate is expected to have read the manual, accessed the e-learning materials and completed the pre course MCQ paper.

 

All candidates will be registered on the Learning Management System (LMS) to allow access to course modules, pre-course multiple choice questionnaires (MCQ), course evaluation and post course certificates.

 

How do I book?

To book email: resusbookings@nuh.nhs.uk

The Generic Instructor Course is for candidates who have completed an Advanced Life Support, Newborn Life Support or Advanced Paediatric Life Support course and have been recommended to become instructors.

To find out further information regarding course content or course availability, please contact sharon.martin@nuh.nhs.uk

Newborn life support (NLS) aims to give those responsible for initiating resuscitation at birth the background knowledge and skills to have a standard approach in the management of a newborn infant during the first 10-20 minutes in a competent manner. It has been developed under the auspices of the Resuscitation Council to provide clear practical instruction in airway support and the theoretical background to illustrate its importance in resuscitation of the newborn.

 

What does it include?

The course concentrates on:

• Practical skills of airway management with ventilator support
• Cardiac compressions 
• Emergency access
• Team working and communication skills.
• The course content gives the candidate knowledge to understand the processes:
• Underlying apnoea
• Bradycardia 
• Poor condition at birth

 

Who is it aimed at?

It is designed for any healthcare professional, regardless of discipline or status, who may be called upon to resuscitate a newborn baby.

There is a requirement that all junior doctors working in the neonatal unit at NUH will hold a valid NLS certificate.

Places are limited and priority is given to medics on rotation to neonates and nurses/midwives working in the neonatal unit. Remaining places are available to junior and senior medical staff, midwives, neonatal nurses, paramedics, resuscitation officers and experienced nursing staff.

 

How long does it last?

The course lasts for 10 hours. Generally registration is at 8am and the course finishes at 6pm.

 

How do I book?

To book email: Jane.Pistana@nuh.nhs.uk