Embedded Files
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. Valid for 2 years.
Duration: 8 hrs, in-person
Prereqs:
Current Heart & Stroke 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. Valid for 2 years.
Duration: 6-8 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*
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
Please note you must enter a valid VCH email address when requesting a seat to be eligible for the VCH discounted pricing. If you would like for us to reach out to you at a different email address, please leave a note at the end of your request form submission. Thank you.
Upcoming Courses
Note: We do not offer BLS Renewals. You can still register for a BLS Provider if you have a previous BLS certification.
Resources
Terms & Conditions
Payment and registration
Full payment is required to secure a course seat. Seats are assigned in the order payment is received, and registration is confirmed only after payment.
To request a seat, select “Request a Seat” beside your preferred course. Payment instructions will be emailed to you.
Payment options
By phone: Credit card payments at 604-875-4623.
In person: Credit card (no tap accepted), cash, or cheque at the VGH Simulation Centre staff office.
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm, excluding statutory holidays and scheduled closures. Hours may vary to meet operational needs. Please check the banner on our Courses webpage for closure notices.
Office location: VGH Blackmore Pavilion, second floor, Room 244. Follow the directional floor signage.
Please call 604-875-4623 before visiting to confirm staff availability, as our team may be supporting courses elsewhere in the centre.
ACLS and BLS: Arrival and attendance
Please arrive at the classroom at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow time for check-in and preparation. Courses begin promptly.
Participants who arrive at the classroom 10 minutes or more after the scheduled start time cannot be admitted. If you are unable to participate because of late arrival, your registration will be treated as a no-show: the full course fee will be forfeited, and refunds and transfers will not be available. Attending a future course will require a new registration and payment.
Please allow sufficient time for traffic, parking, and finding the classroom. Calling ahead to report a delay does not extend the admission cutoff.
Participants must attend all required course sessions and complete the applicable course requirements to be eligible for certification.
ACLS and BLS: Cancellations, refunds, and transfers
If you need to cancel or request a transfer, please contact the VGH Simulation Centre as soon as possible. Eligibility is based on when we receive your request:
14 or more business days before the course: You may request a full refund or transfer, provided you have not accessed the Heart & Stroke online content.
4–13 business days before the course: You may request a refund or transfer, subject to an administrative fee of $48 for BLS or $150 for ACLS. For refunds, this fee is deducted from the amount returned. For transfers, this fee must be paid to move your registration.
3 or fewer business days before the course, or a no-show: The full course fee is forfeited. Refunds and transfers are unavailable. This includes participants who cannot be admitted because of late arrival.
Business days are Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. The course date is not counted when calculating notice. Transfers are subject to seat availability.
Courses cancelled or rescheduled by VGH Simulation Centre
VGH Simulation Centre may cancel or reschedule a course due to low enrolment, instructor availability, facility issues, or unforeseen circumstances.
If we cancel or reschedule your course, you may choose to transfer to an available future course date or receive a refund of the course fee paid. We will notify registered participants as soon as possible.
About ACLS and BLS course fees
VGH Simulation Centre’s ACLS and BLS courses are not part of a funded program. Clinicians created this service for VCH staff using a low-cost, non-profit model.
Course fees cover the cost of delivering the education and maintaining equipment. All fees are reinvested in the initiative.
Some VCH departments contribute instructors or instructional materials and therefore receive an adjusted course fee. Thank you for helping us keep quality ACLS and BLS education accessible and sustainable.
VCH Healthcare Summer Camp: Refund policy
More than 7 calendar days before the camp starts: Cancellations are eligible for a full refund to the original payment method.
7 or fewer calendar days before the camp starts: A $125 cancellation fee applies. Any remaining balance will be refunded to the original payment method.
Report abuse