Continuing Education Courses for Health Care Professionals

St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network is pleased to offer continuing education courses to health care professionals. For the full range of courses, please see any of the sections below:

Feel free to contact any of the St. Luke's staff indicated on these pages if you have any questions or to register for courses.

See the Calendar of Events for dates, times and locations of classes.

ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

ACLS Preparation Course for Less Experienced Providers

Combined with ACLS Provider/Renewal course, this is a one-day "prep" course for those who are less experienced or new to emergency cardiac care. The course includes a review of universal algorithm, overview of ACLS cases, medications, electrical modalities and quick rhythm review. This must be combined with registration for ACLS Provider/Renewal course to complete the requirements. Please register for both sessions (16 hours). Class preparation is required.

ACLS Provider/Renewal Course

One-day provider or renewal course for those who have knowledge of emergency cardiac care. Participants will benefit from a brief review of universal algorithm, AED and other useful topics before completing the skills stations. Class preparation is required.

ACLS Renewal Course "Fast Track"

Accelerated half-day renewal for nurses, physicians, paramedics and others who frequently perform emergency cardiac care. Renewal only. Proof of current ACLS and BLS certification required. Preparation for class and readiness to test required. Written test will be done first. Only those successfully completing the written test with a score of 84 percent or better will continue with skills stations that follow. Those not initially successful will be invited to make alternate arrangements to complete the course.

Registration Process

  • St. Luke's employees: The employee's department manager must send the registration via e-mail or call 610-954-4125.
  • External registrants: Send registration via e-mail or call 610-954-4125.
  • Class size limited
  • Tuition:
    • St. Luke's employees - No charge
    • External registrants - $150

*Local pre-hospital providers, please call for additional registration and fee information. Pre-requisite is current BLS certification.

See the Calendar of Events for dates, times and locations of classes.

PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support

Registration process

Early registration is recommended. Pre-class preparation is required.

  • St. Luke's employees: The employee's department manager must send the registration via e-mail or call 610-954-4125.
  • External registrants: Send registration via e-mail  or call 610-954-4125.

PALS Provider/Renewal Courses (2-day session)

Current American Heart Association successful course completion in Basic Cardiac Life Support for the Health Care provider or the American Red Cross equivalent is required. A copy of your BLS course completion card must be submitted with your registration.

Teaching Stations

  • Respiratory failure
  • Shock
  • Cardiopulmonary arrest
  • Learning modules (subject matter will vary at the discretion of the course facilitators)

Skills Stations

  • Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and AED/Defibrillator
  • Bag-valve mask and advanced airway management
  • Vascular access - fluid management

Lecture/Video Stations

  • Respiratory failure and shock
  • Airway management
  • Rhythm disturbances

Evaluation

  • AED/defibrillator
  • Cardiopulmonary arrest
  • Respiratory failure and shock
  • Written test

Classes held in the Priscilla Payne Hurd Education Center on Ostrum Street in Bethlehem. The fee is $150 (for participants who are not St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network employees). CEUs are awarded.

PALS Renewal Course (Pre-requisite is current CPR and PALS certification)

This course includes lectures, skills stations and evaluation stations plus a written test. PALS recertification must be obtained within a two-year period from previous certification. If your current PALS certification has expired, please contact Education Services at 610-954-4125 or Toni Prelovsky at 610-954-3023 before enrolling.

Classes are held in the Priscilla Payne Hurd Education Center on Ostrum Street in Bethlehem. The fee is $150. CEUs are awarded.

See the Calendar of Events for dates, times and locations of classes.

CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

2008 BLS/CPR Course

This is a six-hour course for new health care providers and those who have not successfully renewed their cards by the expiration date. Courses are scheduled from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm in the Priscilla Payne Hurd Education Center, room 113 (unless otherwise noted). Participants who arrive late may not be admitted. Preparation is expected: preparation materials/confirmation letters will be sent four weeks before the start of the course.

Renewal: January – June

This renewal class is for health care providers with current BLS cards. The renewal sessions include the new AHA BLS Science Update. Class registration is limited. All renewal classes will be held in the Priscilla Payne Hurd Education Center, room 112 unless otherwise noted. Participants who arrive late may not be admitted. Preparation is expected: review materials/confirmation letters will be mailed four weeks before class.

"Marathon Renewals": July – December

All Marathon Renewals will be held 7 am to 3 pm in the Priscilla Payne Hurd Education Center (EC), room 113.

Registration process

St. Luke's employees

  • The employee's department manager must send the registration via e-mail or call 610-954-4125.
  • January and June 2008, walk-ins cannot be accommodated and will be asked to leave and/or return to their departments.
  • Beginning in June, 2008, CPR "marathons" for renewal will resume and walk-ins are welcome.
  • American Heart Association BLS Manuals may be borrowed from the Estes Library to assist with preparation.
  • By July 2008, all health care providers holding a HCP BLS card issued between July 2004 and June 2006 need to complete the BLS Science Update Renewal Session for the American Heart Association.
  • Hospital employees must participate in CPR/BLS according to the American Heart Association guidelines (refer to APPM#143)

External registrants

  • Send registration via e-mail or call 610-954-4125.
  • Fees for non-hospital employees: course $45, renewal $20

Please note:

  • Class size is limited
  • Classes are held in the Priscilla Payne Hurd Education Center at St. Luke's Hospital - Bethlehem Campus
  • Call 610-954-3607 with questions

See the Calendar of Events for dates, times and locations of classes.