VGH Simulation Centre Courses
VGH Simulation Centre offers a variety of courses, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) through the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada. These courses provide the opportunity to practice scenarios that mirror real life situations, helping you in your role as a healthcare provider. This includes covering a wide range of life-threatening scenarios that involve systems of care, immediate post-cardiac arrest care, acute dysrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes. The aim of our courses is to strengthen your ability to communicate and work effectively as a critical member of a team.
Course Information
BLS Provider
Foundational course for any health care professional who provides care to patients in a wide variety of settings. BLS Provider is essentially the same as a CPR course, but more geared towards health care providers. The course will cover CPR, AED use, and choking in adults, children, and infants, as well as airway management and opioid-related emergencies. Valid for 1 year.
Duration: 4 hrs, in-person
Prereqs: None
*Please note this is not a BLS Renewal - we do not require proof of previous course completion to take this course*
ACLS Renewal with BLS
For those who have previously completed their ACLS certification and want to refresh their skills. This is a full traditional course (all ACLS materials covered in-person). BLS is included in this ACLS course. Snacks & lunch provided. Valid for 2 years.
Duration: 8 hrs, in-person
Prereqs:
Current ACLS Certification
Blended BLS Modules
Precourse Self-Assessment
Note on ACLS Renewal: To be eligible to take the ACLS Renewal, you MUST hold a current ACLS certificate. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis (please reach out to us at vghsim@vch.ca if this applies to you). However, should you not pass any of the assessments at the end of the course, you will not be eligible for remediation, as per Heart & Stroke Policy. In which case you will have to register and complete an ACLS Provider Course (Blended or 2-Day).
*Those with a current and valid ACLS certification who are not successful at the end of the session are eligible for remediation with a member of our instructor pool*
Blended ACLS Provider with BLS
For those who have never taken ACLS or those whose previous certification has expired. This is a blended format course (combination online and in-person). Learning modules and the written exam are done online, with the class time reserved for skill and simulation practice. This format is ideal for learners who prefer to work through material at their own pace, or who may already be familiar with the concepts that are taught in ACLS. BLS is included in this ACLS course. Snacks & lunch provided. Valid for 2 years.
Duration: 6 hrs online + 8 hrs in-person
Prereqs:
Blended ACLS Modules
Blended BLS Modules
Precourse Self-Assessment
*Those who are not successful at the end of the in-person session are eligible for remediation with a member of our instructor pool*
ACLS Provider with BLS (2 Days)
For those who have never taken ACLS or those whose previous certification has expired. This is a full traditional course (all ACLS materials covered in-person). This format may be preferred by learners who are less comfortable with the material, who are newer to ACLS, or who learn best through in-person instruction. BLS is included in this ACLS course. Snacks & lunch provided. Valid for 2 years.
Duration: 16 hrs, in-person (2 days)
Prereqs:
Blended BLS Modules
Precourse Self-Assessment
*Those who are not successful at the end of the session are eligible for remediation with a member of our instructor pool*
Please note that prerequisites must be completed and proof must be shown to the VGH Sim team (either by email at vghsim@vch.ca or in-person) before the start of the course. After you have prepaid for your seat, you will receive an email with a list of prerequisites for your session. If they are not completed, you will not be able to attend the course and your fee will not be refunded.
Course Fees
Upcoming Courses
Private Courses
Don't see a course time above that works for you? Want to take a course with a group of your friends or colleagues? Submit a private course request here. Dependent on centre and instructor availability, we may be able to schedule a custom course that works better for you. Please email the VGH Sim team at vghsim@vch.ca for more information!
Some items to note:
Requests are not guaranteed to go ahead. Please wait for confirmation from the VGH Sim team and give at least 1 month's notice before the requested date
Pre-payments are still required to confirm a seat in a custom and/or private course
Private courses must be filled to maximum capacity. If they are not filled at least 1 week prior to the session, the VGH Sim team may open it up to public registration to maximize the course capacity
Note: We do not offer BLS Renewals. You can still register for a BLS Provider if you have a previous BLS certification.
Resources
Payment
Payment is required to reserve a seat within a course. Click on the 'Request a Seat' button next to the course you're interested in and you will be emailed payment instructions.
Payment Options:
Pay-by-Phone (Credit Card): 604-875-4623
In-Person (Credit Card, Cash, Cheque): VGH SIM staff office
Hours of Operation: (8am - 4pm, Mon - Fri) These dates/time may fluctuate to meet operational needs. Please check our Courses website to see which days the centre will be closed (look for the banner at the top of the screen).
VGH SIM Staff Office Location: VGH Blackmore Pavilion, 2nd floor, Room 244 (follow directional floor signage). You can also try calling our support line (604-875-4623) to arrange a time to come by and pay. We may not always be in the office due to operational needs, we appreciate your understanding and flexibility. You will also receive an automated email with these payment instructions.
Please note:
VGH Cashiers Office will no longer be accepting payments for courses.
Payment policy: Cancellations or transfers made 14 days or more in advance of the course start date can 1) have payment kept on file for a future session or 2) have payments refunded to original payment method. Cancellations or transfers made within 14 days of the course start date will be subject to a $48 fee for BLS courses or $150 fee for ACLS courses. Learners who have not completed their prerequisites will not be permitted into the session and will forfeit their payment. Learners who no show on the day of the course will forfeit their payment.
ACLS and BLS courses at VGH Simulation Centre are not part of a funded program. This service was created by clinicians for VCH staff and developed on a low-cost, non-profit model. Your course fees cover the expense of running these courses and maintaining the equipment. All fees are redistributed back into the initiative. Some departments at VCH have provided additional support by providing instructors and instructional materials, and therefore have an adjusted course fee. We thank you for your support in making this service sustainable and allowing us to provide quality ACLS and BLS education for all.