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.

Pricing change notification: Please note that our course prices will be increasing for course pre-payments beginning December 16, 2025

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:

Course Information

BLS Provider

Foundational course for any healthcare professional who provides care to patients in a wide variety of settings. BLS Provider is essentially the same as a CPR course, with the difference being that BLS is more geared towards health care providers. The course will still 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

Prereqs: None

ACLS Renewal with BLS Renewal

For those who have previously completed their ACLS certification, and want to refresh their skills. BLS renewal is included in this ACLS course. Snacks & lunch provided. Valid for 2 years. 

Duration: 8 hrs

Prereqs:

Note on ACLS Renewal: To be eligible to take the ACLS Renewal, you MUST hold a current ACLS certificate. Exceptions can be made (for up to one after expiry date) on a case by case basis for those that work in an environment where ACLS is regularly practiced. 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).

Blended ACLS Provider with BLS Renewal

Blended online and in-person format of the traditional course. 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 renewal is included in this ACLS course. Snacks & lunch provided. Valid for 2 years. 

Duration: 4 hrs online and 8 hrs in class

Prereqs:

ACLS Provider with BLS Renewal (2 Days)

Full traditional course. 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 renewal is included in this ACLS course. Snacks & lunch provided. Valid for 2 years. 

Duration: 16 hrs (2 days)

Prereqs:

Note: BLS Renewals cannot be taken separately from their ACLS courses as the curriculum of these two offerings are integrated. Only ‘BLS Provider’ courses can be taken as a standalone course. 

Resources

Course Fees

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: 

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.

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