In the dynamic healthcare environment, readiness for emergencies is non-negotiable. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is excited to announce its collaboration with the esteemed American Red Cross, bringing you a premier Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR course tailored for healthcare professionals. This comprehensive program not only imparts essential life-saving techniques but also grants you a valuable certification accessible through the Red Cross Learning Center, your digital gateway to manage and verify your credentials anytime, anywhere.
Why Choose APTA for Your Red Cross BLS CPR Certification?
Selecting APTA as your authorized provider for American Red Cross BLS CPR courses offers advantages that extend beyond standard certification. Our courses are meticulously designed to integrate real-world scenarios relevant to the physical therapy profession. Imagine a patient experiencing cardiac arrest during a treadmill exercise – would you know how to respond effectively? Our certified American Red Cross instructors, seasoned in delivering life-saving education, will guide you through such critical situations.
We delve into practical dilemmas that healthcare providers might encounter. What if an emergency occurs when you are alone with a patient? Is your front-desk staff prepared to initiate emergency protocols? These crucial questions and more are addressed in our engaging and insightful course, ensuring you and your team are ready to act decisively in any urgent situation.
Course Highlights and Learning Experience
This American Red Cross Basic Life Support hybrid CPR course blends the flexibility of online learning with the rigor of in-person skills validation. The course is structured in two parts:
- Asynchronous Online Learning Session: Complete this module at your own pace, accessible via desktop, mobile, or tablet. This session lays the foundational knowledge required for BLS CPR.
- In-Person Skills Review Session: Attend a hands-on session led by certified instructors to practice and refine your CPR skills, ensuring competency and confidence in performing life-saving techniques.
Upon successful completion of both segments, participants receive a Basic Life Support digital certificate, valid for two years. This certification is readily accessible through the Red Cross Learning Center, providing you with 24/7 access to your certificate and training history. We advise learners to verify specific license requirements and continuing education unit allowances for CPR courses with their state licensing boards.
This course is exclusively available to healthcare providers, whether APTA members or non-members (support and administrative staff are not eligible for this course).
The in-person skills session for the currently announced course was held on Tuesday, June 4, at the APTA Centennial Center in Alexandria, Virginia. Please check the APTA website or the Red Cross Learning Center for upcoming course schedules and registration details.
Meet Our Expert Instructors
Our courses are led by highly experienced and certified American Red Cross instructors, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise to the training environment.
Tara Jo Manal, PT, DPT, FAPTA
With over two decades of experience in emergency response training, Tara Jo Manal is a seasoned expert in CPR, AED, O2 administration, and BLS. Her extensive background includes directing neurologic, older adult, sports, and orthopedic outpatient physical therapy clinics for nearly 30 years, where she provided critical support and oversight for emergency procedures.
Laura Schmitt, PT, DPT, ATC
Laura Schmitt boasts over 20 years of experience in teaching and managing on-field and clinical emergencies. As a board-certified clinical specialist in sports and orthopaedic physical therapy, Laura holds the highest American Red Cross teaching credentials, underscoring her expertise and dedication to life-saving education.
Melissa Dreger, PT, DPT, MA
Melissa Dreger, a newly certified instructor, brings 17 years of experience as a BLS CPR-certified provider to the team. Also a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy, Melissa contributes both administrative support and instructional expertise to the course, ensuring a comprehensive and well-organized learning experience.
Course Access and Instructions
For those enrolled in the course, accessing the materials and completing the requirements is straightforward:
- Contents Tab: Navigate to the “Contents” tab to access the course recordings and learning materials.
- Take Quiz Button: Click “Take Quiz” to complete the assessment. You have three attempts to achieve a passing score of 70% or higher.
- Fill Out Survey: Provide valuable feedback by clicking “Fill Out Survey” under the Evaluation section.
- View/Print Your Certificate: Access your certificate by clicking “View/Print Your Certificate” under the Certificate section. Your certificate is also always accessible in the APTA Learning Center under the “CEU Certificate/Transcript” link.
For any assistance with login, course access, credit claiming, or other queries, please contact [email protected].
Stay Informed About Future Courses
While registration for the June 4th in-person session has concluded, APTA is committed to offering ongoing opportunities for healthcare providers to obtain Red Cross BLS CPR certification. Please visit the APTA website and the Red Cross Learning Center regularly for announcements regarding future course dates and registration openings. Enhance your skills, protect your patients, and become a vital link in the chain of survival with APTA and the American Red Cross.
