a. To outline and provide guidance for the management of the Training Center to include enrollment and performance of American Heart Association (AHA) courses.
b. If there is any conflict between this policy and AHA policies, AHA policies will take precedent.
a. Training Center Faculty, Staff and Instructors.
a. American Heart Association (Revised Oct. 1, 2008), Emergency Cardiovascular Care Program Administration Manual: Guidelines for Program Administration and Training, Fourth Edition.
b. American Heart Association (2008), Faculty Guide for BLS and Heartsaver Instructor Courses.
c. American Heart Association (2010), BLS for Healthcare Providers: Instructor's Manual.
d. American Heart Association (2006), Core Instructor Course Workbook.
e. American Heart Association (2011), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support: Instructor's Manual.
f. American Heart Association (2006), Faculty Guide for the ACLS Instructor Course.
a. Augusta University Training Center ("TC"): It is able to conduct independent and self-sustaining AHA training program. The Training Center must have the following:
1) Training Center Coordinator
2) Training Center Faculty
3) Course Director (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
4) Instructors
5) Program Administrator
6) All required teaching materials including textbooks
7) All required teaching equipment as listed in the individual Instructor manuals
8) Adequate classroom space including secure equipment storage space.
a. Augusta University TC:
1) The Training Center role is to train persons in Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) programs and strengthen the Chain of Survival.
2) TC is responsible for providing the following ECC programs:
i. Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers and subordinate courses
ii. BLS Instructor
iii. All Heartsaver courses
iv. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
v. ACLS Instructor
vi. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
vii. PALS Instructor
viii. Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS)
ix. ECG & Pharmacology
3) Create and implement specific, policies that address the following (local policies must comply with AHA policies and standards):
i. Equipment decontamination.
ii. Quality Assurance Plan (to include course and instructor monitoring).
iii. Internal Training Center (TC) dispute resolution policy.
iv. Administrative records maintenance to include instructor folders and course reports.
v. Card and Test security.
vi. Management of instructor communication and updates.
4) Publicize all provided courses on the Center for Nursing Education Calendar.
b. TC Coordinator:
1) TC Coordinator is an experienced Training Center Faculty (TCF).
2) TC Coordinator is appointed by the Director, Center for Nursing Education.
3) Responsible for all aspects of the AHA program at the TC.
4) Implements and manages the TC in accordance with AHA guidelines.
5) Creates course agendas tailored to TC requirements that include all core AHA content.
6) Ensures the appropriate records and reports are maintained at the Training Center as required.
7) Responsible for completing the "Semi-Annual/Annual" Report and submitting it to Director, Center for Nursing Education and Training Center.
8) Notifies AHA of problems, disputes or other concerns.
9) Secures adequate training resources (e.g. class space, textbooks and equipment).
10) Shares responsibility and accountability for AHA wallet cards and test materials with the Program Administrator (PA).
11) Reviews the files of all newly assigned TCF and instructors.
12) Provides TC specific orientation (i.e. Course Director Orientation for guidelines) and coordinates for the monitoring of newly assigned TCF and instructors at first teaching.
13) Appoints and revokes TCF and instructor status when necessary.
14) Conducts course monitoring reviews at any course that falls under the responsibility of the TC to ensure quality assurance.
15) Teaches Instructor/Provider courses and fulfills instructor renewal requirements.
16) Completes and files in the Instructor folder an "Instructor Renewal Checklist" for each instructor renewing their instructor status.
c. Program Administrator (PA):
1) PA is appointed by the Director, Center for Nursing Education.
2) Ensures the records and reports are maintained at the TC.
3) PA is the primary point for all TC correspondence.
4) Set up courses on Training Center Management Website and enrolls students into courses.
5) Posts Courses on Center for Nursing Education training calendar.
6) Signs out/in course material and collects deposits for such material.
7) Collects payment for courses that are taught to Non-Augusta University Medical Center ("AUMC") students.
8) Maintains adequate training resources par levels as set by the TC Coordinator (e.g. textbooks, equipment, and supplies).
9) Shares responsibility and accountability for AHA wallet cards and test materials.
10) Orders more course completion cards.
11) Prints and issues AHA wallet cards from submitted sign-in rosters.
12) Assists TC Coordinator with maintaining records in Training Center Manager software.
d. Training Center Faculty:
1) The TCF are subject matter experts for their Emergency Cardiovascular Care Program.
2) The TC Coordinator appoints the TCF. Candidates must be highly motivated, well trained, and an experienced instructor.
3) TCF lead training activities and are specifically charged with training, mentoring and evaluating course instructors.
4) Facilitates program planning, implementation and quality assurance.
5) Teaches Instructor and Provider Courses.
6) Monitors and evaluates instructor's teaching performance during Provider courses.
7) TCF are charged with selecting and training experienced instructors to become Course Directors.
e. Course Director, ACLS/PALS (Instructor):
1) Selected by TCF and appointed by TC Coordinator.
2) Active Instructor (taught at least eight (8) course) in the same discipline as the Course Director's appointment.
3) Course Directors are members of the TC's faculty.
4) Complete Course Director orientation; a formal presentation, self-paced instruction or one-on-one mentoring can be used to accomplish the orientation.
5) Course Directors are required to be on-site throughout the course.
6) Monitors appropriateness of educational presentations.
7) Supervises student performance and evaluation by instructors.
8) Monitors Instructors and candidate Instructors performance.
9) Remediates or oversees remediation of students during the course.
10) Serves as an Instructor.
f. Course Instructor:
1) Teach course in discipline adhering to AHA policies and guidelines and TC policy.
2) Remediates students during the course.
3) Submit to TC the roster and copies of other instructors' Instructor Cards for any courses taught to obtain credit for the course.
4) All instructors that receive additional pay for AHA instructor status from AUMC must teach a minimum of four (4) courses per calendar year. Instructors who fail to meet this minimum standard will have their names submitted to Human Resources to stop any specialty/incentive pay being given for this status.
a. Instructor Folder Maintenance
1) Instructor folders will be located with Training Center Coordinator.
2) Instructor folders will be maintained according to Training Center policies.
3) A commercial electronic database will be used to track Instructor history.
b. Course Folder Maintenance
1) Course folders will be archived with the TC.
2) At a minimum each Course will have the following:
i. Course Roster
ii. Summary of Course Evaluation
iii. Original evaluations if concerns or problems identified
iv. Agenda if course varies from AHA agenda
v. Written examination answer sheets and skills performance sheets for students who did not successfully meet the course completion requirements.
vi. Memorandums related to problem resolution
c. Card & Test Security
1) Course completion cards and examination materials are kept secure. The standard for control is met when cards and examinations are secured in a manner that allows only authorized personnel to have access to them, this will include, at a minimum, a key or combination locked compartment/container (i.e. box with a lock, locking file cabinet, or a locking drawer). When not being actively used, this compartment/container will be secured. In addition, when the room/building that the compartment/container is located in is vacant, the room/building should be secured.
2) Replacement of lost cards will only occur after verification of course roster. There is a charge for duplicate cards.
3) Examination material is only given to students in a proctored environment and returned to the TC immediately.
4) Damaged or voided cards will be destroyed.
5) Any occurrences of loss, theft or fraud will be reported AUMC Security and appropriate leadership.
d. Dispute Resolution
1) Complaints about issues may be submitted to the Training Center in writing by:
i. A student who attended the course in which the problem arose.
ii. An instructor, course director, program director, TCF.
iii. Any staff member with information about the problem.
2) All complaints must contain the following information:
i. The name and address of the person making the complaint. Complainants may not remain anonymous.
ii. The name and address of the person and/or organization against which the complaint is made.
iii. A detailed written description of the dispute, complaint, or problem (who, what, when, where, and why). For Training Center related issues, the complaint should contain information on attempts of the Training Center to resolve the matter.
iv. Reference to the appropriate rule, standard, and/or guidelines related to the matter.
v. Copies of all related correspondence, records and other documentation.
e. Equipment Decontamination
1) Decontaminate equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions and/or the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and AUMC Infection Control policy.
2) All students will use face shields/mask mouth pieces with all manikins used during the hands-on training and testing.
3) Manikins will be cleaned after every course. The TC Coordinator/Course Director or the Lead Instructor will be responsible for making sure that the manikins are cleaned.
4) MANIKIN CLEANING BETWEEN STUDENT USE:
i. Clean the face, the inside of the mouth, and other parts used by previous student
with a saturated, clean hypochlorite solution, 70% alcohol wipes, or Coverage Plus
Germicidal Surface Wipes or similar product. The surfaces should remain wet for at
least 30 seconds before they are wiped dry with a second piece of clean, absorbent
material.
ii. If a protective face shield/Mask Mouth Piece is used, you will need to change
it prior to the next student. Face shields/Mask Mouth Pieces will be disposed of at
the end of class and are meant for one student use.
5) MANIKIN CLEANING AFTER THE CLASS:
i. Note: Use universal precautions during cleaning procedures.
ii. Disassemble manikin as directed by manufacturer.
iii. Thoroughly wipe all surfaces with Coverage Plus Germicidal Surface Wipes or similar
product.
iv. Manikin mouths and masks will be washed in soap and water then soaked in ¼ cup
of bleach for 10 minutes. This solution must be made fresh for each class and discarded
after each use.
v. Alternatively, the manikin mouths and masks can be washed in a dishwasher with
settings on High Temperature Wash and Sani-Rinse using dishwasher detergent.
vi. Manikin Lungs will be changed after completion of course.
vii. All equipment and work surfaces will be wiped with Coverage Plus Germicidal Surface
Wipes or similar product.
viii. Keep CPR equipment clean by storing in a clean area.
f. Quality Assurance Plan
1) The components of the Quality Assurance program include but are not limited to:
i. Compliance with AHA policies and guidelines.
ii. Course agendas include all AHA core content.
iii. Records and files are complete and properly maintained.
iv. Follow AHA guidelines for developing, monitoring, renewing, and updating instructors.
v. Use evaluation of courses, instructors, and program administration to ensure a quality program to AHA standards.
2) The TC reserves the right to evaluate any course at any time without prior notification.
g. Management of instructor communication and updates.
1) The TC requires Program Directors and Instructors to submit their e-mail address. Notification to TC is to be made if contact information changes.
2) E-mail and the Training Center website are the primary means of communication.
3) All instructors are encouraged to go to "AHA Instructor Network Home" webpage at http://ahainstructornetwork.americanheart.org and AHA's "CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care" webpage at http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/CPR_UCM_001118_SubHomePage.jsp monthly to stay updated on all ECC issues.
a. Pre-Course Procedures
1) TC Coordinator will advertise each available course 90 days prior to date.
2) TC Coordinator will inform instructors of course dates and confirm their availability for individual course days/times seven (7) days prior to course. The actual course agenda will be decided by the TC Coordinator and the Course Director. Individual teaching assignments will be made and sent by email to the confirmed instructors with all other course information. TC Coordinator will ensure instructors/instructor candidates have any necessary course materials related to their teaching. A sufficient number of instructors must be available to meet the required student-to-instructor ratio.
3) Training Center Faculty must be available to monitor the teaching performance of renewing instructors or candidates who have completed the instructor course.
4) Program Administrator will put together and issue out course packets for each student, which will include as a minimum instructor welcome letter and proposed course schedule.
5) TC Coordinator/Course Director will reserve course site. Also, according to course and class size will ensure that: audio-visual equipment is available and working; the appropriate manikins and clinical equipment (e.g. defibrillators) are available, clean, and good working order; sufficient clinical supplies are available. TC Coordinator/Course Director will set up course site in preparation for course.
b. Conducting the Course:
1) The TC Coordinator will coordinate the course together with the Course Director.
2) The TC Coordinator will meet with Course Director and instructors as necessary before start of course and at times during the course for communication of faculty issues.
3) Register students by sign-in sheet or registration forms and obtain expiration date of Provider card. Provide students with any additional documentation required during the course (performance sheets, evaluation forms, Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care, copies of scientific/clinical literature to help them during the course). Collect pre-tests if necessary.
4) Any student that arrives 10 minutes late for a course will not be allowed to attend. The student will have to reschedule to take another course.
5) The Course Instructors have the responsibility for signing-in on the course roster. Failure to sign-in will result in the instructor not receiving credit for teaching the course.
6) Instructors and Course Director will identify students needing extra teaching and perform this during the course. Students who fail their initial practical evaluation, but pass the written test, will be retested by another instructor. Those failing the written test, but passing the practical evaluation will review the test answers with the Course Director, and then be retest on different version of the test. At the discretion of the Program Director, those who initially fail both the written and the practical evaluation will be asked to retake the entire course.
7) TC Coordinator and/or Course Director will assign personnel to proctor and score the written examination and collect the performance documents. TC Coordinator and/or Course Director will monitor the practical evaluation phase for quality assurance meeting AHA standards.
8) Program Administrator will collect skills check off sheets and give successful students their provider cards if available at the time.
9) For Instructor Courses, candidates must follow up with teaching at a provider course while being monitored by a Training Center Faculty. Once this is successfully completed and fully documented, they will receive an instructor card.
10) The TC Coordinator will meet with the Course Director to confirm final status of each student and to identify any participants who may have the potential to become instructors (must score 90% or more on written exam). Reschedule any unsuccessful students for the next available class.
11) Clean and pack up equipment and supplies as necessary. Make note of equipment that may need repair or replacement of supplies than need replenishing and notify Program Administrator.
c. Post-Course Process:
1) Prepare and distribute provider or instructor cards, if not already completed.
2) Inform individuals who were designated to have the potential to become instructors of the dates of the next Instructor Course.
3) Ensure that Instructor Monitoring Forms or other instructor forms are complete, signed appropriately, and filed in the individual instructor file. Update the electronic database with teaching history.
4) Make plans to replenish course materials, equipment, or supplies as needed.
5) Distribute contact hour certificates on receipt from GNA.
a. Equipment Rental & Deposits
1) There will be a rental fee and refundable deposit for all equipment and supplies used by instructors for teaching courses to Non-AUMC employees.
2) These fees are collected to allow for replacement of aging, outdated equipment and replenishment of one time use supplies. The refundable deposit is to ensure the return of equipment. If equipment is not returned within ten (10) working days of signing-out of the equipment the deposit will be kept to replace equipment.
3) The TC Program Administrator will have the current price and deposit list. These are subject to change without notice. Prices and deposits will be set by the Director, Center for Nursing Education.
4) Any payments that result in an Insufficient Funds will incur a collection charge (see price list) and attempts will be made to collect said funds.
b. Non-AUMC Employees
1) Non-AUMC employees may attend any of the classes given by TC.
2) Enrollment will follow the same procedure as AUMC employees.
3) Non-AUMC will be required to pay a course enrollment fee.
4) The TC Program Administrator will have the current course enrollment fee list. These are subject to change without notice. Course enrollment fees will be set by the Training Center Coordinator.
5) Any payments that result in an Insufficient Funds will incur a collection charge (see price list) and attempts will be made to collect said funds.
6) Any classes taught by AUMC employees, during the employees work hours, to non-AUMC employees will require the payment of the course fee to obtain a completion card.
The Center for Nursing Education is administratively responsible for the upkeep of this policy.
