Becoming an American Heart Association (AHA) Instructor

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The American Heart Association Instructor Course will allow the participant to teach all American Heart Association level certification classes. Instructor candidates must have the American Heart Association certification (not expired) prior to attending the instructor course

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 Overview

1. Have a valid and current AHA course completion card in the discipline (ACLS, BLS or PALS) you wish to teach and a current AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers course completion card if you wish to teach ACLS or PALS.

2. Complete an AHA Instructor Course Application

3. Register for the discipline-specific Instructor Course through an AHA Training Center

4. Prepare for, attend and successfully complete all requirements of the discipline-specific

   Instructor Course

5. Successfully complete Instructor monitoring and any additional requirements and

   responsibilities required of the Training Center 

  

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There are 4 steps to becoming an instructor:

• Step 1: Must have the AHA certification in the discipline you would like to teach. Attend the instructor screening course, the candidate will be tested on your knowledge. You will be issued a version of the Provider written test and you will demonstrate your skills. As an instructor candidate, you will need to pass the skills test unassisted and pass the written test with a minimum score of 92% or better. Once the testing process is completed, assuming you pass the testing, Payment is due at the end of this step.  If you do not pass the screening or written exam with a 92% or better, the instructor course ends for you and you forfeit the $95 testing fee (paid in advance). Can be done virtually if you are far from New Jersey. An approved AHA Manikin at the applicant end is required to show skills. 

• Step 2: After passing your screening exam,  our training coordinator will go over to you your roles as an instructor. This time we will be spent reviewing all of the AHA materials, such as the instructor manual and course DVDs, reviewing course paperwork, setting up classrooms and learning how to properly test students. This portion will take approximately 3 hours. Final Payment of $280 is due ($95 testing fee+$280=$375). 

• Step 3: Take the Instructor Essentials Online Course, (included in the $375). The BLS Instructor Essentials Course is designed to prepare instructor candidates to teach AHA Instructor-led and blended learning courses.

• Step 4: Final Process/Final Assessment. In order for the Training Center to issue your instructor card, each candidate needs to lead a Provider Course and be successfully monitored by the Training Center Faculty (TCF). This is where the process varies between candidates. Some candidates have a teaching background and only need to learn the material. For the candidates who have teaching experience, the process may be completed in two class. Some candidates may have never presented in front of a group before and have to overcome the fear of being in the front of the room before they can start to teach the topics and this may take several classes to complete. This last step is completely up to each candidate's time frame and the Training Center is committed to helping you all the way through this process. Step 4 can be done virtually if you are far from New Jersey.

 

If you are interested in becoming an instructor please fill out the information below and we will contact you. If you have questions you may contact us at 1-866-277-9593