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AHA Virtual Certification

Virtual Skills Testing (VST)

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The Virtual Skills Testing Option for ACLS & PALS has been discontinued on August 31, 2023.

BLS Virtual Skills Testing continue as usual.

►Even with a huge backlash with the announcement of the end of Virtual Skills Testing for ACLS & PALS, the AHA has decided to discontinue this option.

Virtual Skills Testing Frequently Asked Questions

  • We were not given a specific reason why it was discontinued. The consensus among instructors was this was a very effective and easily accessible alternative option, especially for the underserved healthcare providers in rural America.
  • We spent a lot of time in discussions with the AHA and provided definitive proof of the success we achieved in the past 2 1/2 years using this option. 
  • After hundreds of these virtual sessions, our course evaluations received 100% positive reviews. 
  • After registration, you will receive a welcome email with instructions.
  • You may purchase the HeartCode course directly from the AHA at HERE.
  • NOTE: We need a copy of the HeartCode completion certificate 7 days prior to your scheduled skills session. Send to info@actnt.com.
  • The VST option includes a skills testing session with an AHA instructor during a one on one Zoom meeting.
  • You will be shipped a skills testing package with all the required equipment. Prepaid return shipping label is included.
  • That is because the “Virtual Courses” they are referencing are the completely online courses that don’t include a physical, monitored skills testing session.
  • An AHA instructor will visually (one on one Zoom meeting) monitor your skills testing using the required equipment (we ship to you) to prove competency.
  • This is not an all “Virtual Course”. It is still an American Heart  Association® course and you will receive an American Heart Association® card upon completion.
  • All Providers are required to complete the AHA HeartCode® Course to use the Virtual Certification Option (AHA Mandate).
  • You may purchase it directly from the AHA HERE.
    • When purchasing from the AHA, you will receive an email with access to the HeartCode® course immediately after purchase.
  • Not for the vast majority. Of course, defining difficulty is subjective (experience, prior training), but they no longer use the eSimulations (2015 version) in the HeartCode® Courses.
    • Some students found the eSimulations difficult to navigate and had a hard time completing them in a reasonable amount of time.
  • The new 2020 HeartCode® courses are designed to use a personalized adaptive algorithm that sets students on the most efficient path to content mastery.
  • Students follow a continuously adapting learning path that is personalized by their own inputs: their performance, and their self-reported confidence level related to each probing question.
  • The HeartCode® course does not have to be completed in one session. You can stop and start at your convenience.
  • The BLS HeartCode® course is usually between 60-90 minutes.
  • Every employer can designate what they will accept, but we have been an American Heart Association® Training Center for 30 years and have never had the AHA card not accepted by any entity.
    • The American Heart Association® is considered the “Gold Standard” for this type of training.

All providers are required to complete the AHA HeartCode® Course to participate in the Virtual Skills Testing option.

  1. STEP: 1 Go to Class Calendar Page and register for a VST testing session time & date.
    • You may purchase the AHA HeartCode® directly from the American Heart Association® HERE.
    • You will receive detailed instructions immediately after registration in your registration receipt email.
  2. STEP 2: Complete the AHA HeartCode® BLS online course.
    • You must send us a copy of the HeartCode® completion certificate at least 7 days prior to your scheduled skills testing session.
      • Send to info@actnt.com. 
  3. STEP 3: We will send you a skills testing package with all the required equipment for your Skills Testing Session. NOTE: We do not ship to PO Boxes. Alaska and Hawaii require an additional shipping fee ($45.00).
  4. STEP 4: Attend your one on one Zoom Virtual Skills Testing Session for demonstration of skills.
    • Approximate length of Zoom meetings:
    • BLS 30-40 minutes,
  5. STEP 5: You will be issued your American Heart Association® ecard on the day of your skills testing session (usually within 30 minutes).

AHA Virtual Skills Testing Pricing

AHA BLS Virtual Skills Testing (VST)

*$95.00

BLS Virtual Skills Testing (VST)

VIRTUAL SKILLS TESTING PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE American Heart Association® Required HeartCode® ONLINE COURSE.

AHA HeartCode® Online Course:

  • *You may purchase it directly from the American Heart Association® HERE
All revenue for the AHA HeartCode® course(s) goes directly to the American Heart Association®.

YES! This is an authorized American Heart Association® option. There is only 1 card that is issued when you complete the American Heart Association® courses. There is not one if you do the online course, or a classroom course, or a Virtual course. They are all identical.

  • You will not be required to provide mouth to mouth ventilations during your skills testing. You will be provided with a disposable barrier device to use during your skills testing if you choose to provide ventilations.
  • All equipment is cleaned in excess of AHA guidelines and packed for shipping with extreme care intended to maintain cleanliness. 
  • Approximate times for the Zoom meeting skills session:
    • BLS VST: 2o-30 minutes.
    • ACLS VST: 50-60 minutes.
    • PALS VST: 60-70 minutes.
  • This may be different for varying levels of experience & knowledge. If you are prepared, it will probably be a little shorter time.
  1. On the date & time of your appointment, you will receive an email with a link (approximately 10 minutes prior to session) to join the meeting.
  2. Click on the link in the email and you will be joined to the Zoom Meeting.
  1. Upon completion of the AHA HeartCode® online course, we will send you the skills testing package with all the required equipment. This includes a pre-paid return label.
  2. NOTE: We do not ship to PO Boxes. Alaska & Hawaii require an additional shipping fee.
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