To emphasize
the educational philosophy of the GW Training Center, high-quality education is
provided through high-quality curricula and educators that emphasize hands-on
learning and engage in continual self-review and improvement practices.
Therefore,
the GW Training Center practices the following guidelines presented by the
American Heart Association for certification of ECC Instructors. To become
certified as an instructor for the AHA, a candidate must complete a 4-step
process. Final completion of each step resides with the Training Center
Coordinator affiliated with the certifying Training Center
offering the instructor certification process. The certified AHA Instructor
Card will NOT be issued until all steps of the instructor certification process
are met by the candidate.
Step 1 – Core Instructor Course
The Course
Instructor course provides a foundation for those AHA course participants who
are interested in teaching ECC courses. It is a REQUIRED pre-requisite for the
face-to-face instructor course for any ECC discipline (Heartsaver, BLS, ACLS,
& PALS). The AHA Core Instructor Course is a self-directed learning program
that provides information on principles of adult learning and teaching
methodologies, as well as classroom management skills. This course takes 6 to 8
hours to be completed.
Step 2 – Training Center Screening/Qualification
In order to
become an instructor with the American Heart Association, a candidate’s
cognitive and psychomotor skills must be validated by the Training Center
offering instructor courses. The candidate must come to the session with a
valid, up-to-date provider manual for the discipline for which they are
applying to teach, successfully pass the associated written examination with a
minimum score of 84%, and demonstrate excellent clinical treatment skills.
Step 3 – Face-to-Face Instructor
Course
Held by an
authorized AHA training center, faculty of the GW Training Center will provide
instruction to those candidates who successfully move on from step 2 of the
instructor certification process. Each section of the course is discussed and
role-played to ensure core learning objectives are covered. Training Center
specific procedures and guidelines are discussed. These courses are offered on
a limited basis. Dates and times will be listed below. If no courses are
currently listed, the Training Center has not scheduled any. Please check back
at a late date for scheduled courses.
Step 4 – Training Center
Affiliation & Monitoring/Mentoring
After the completion
of an ECC Instructor Course, instructor-candidates must be accepted into an
affiliation with a Training Center, meet with the Training Center Coordinator
to review policies & procedures, and be monitored by Training Center
Faculty during all courses taught by the candidate. Monitoring will take place
until the candidate successfully passes minimum criteria for instructor status
as outlined by the AHA.
Don't see a
date listed or one that will work for you? Check back frequently as these
courses are offered several times per year. As always, contact the Training
Center with further questions. Click the link here to Contact Us.