Ella Med Training – Quick FAQ
What makes Ella Med’s training different?
- Accelerated, AHA‑compliant courses – we deliver BLS, ACLS, and PALS in the shortest time allowed by the American Heart Association without cutting essential content.
- Proven method – 16 + years of development and real‑world testing give students higher retention, confidence, and faster certification.
How long are the courses?
Course Typical classroom time*BLS4–6 hrs. ACLS / PALS 8–12 hrs. (recertification = 8 hrs.)Combined BLS + ACLS + PALS7.5 hrs. one day course (vs. 22 + hrs. elsewhere taken over several days)
*All times meet the minimum allowed by AHA guidelines.
Do I need to complete pre‑course work?
- BLS: No pre‑course required.
- ACLS & PALS: Yes – a mandatory online module (≈ 3 hrs) with a 70 % pass threshold, plus AHA videos. Access is included in the enrollment fee.
When is the pre‑course due?
- Complete it within 24 hours of registration.
- Submit the certificate of completion the day before class.
What’s included in the price?
- All required manuals, supplies, and certification cards – no extra fees or add‑ons.
- Access to the AHA pre‑course (for ACLS/PALS).
- Hands‑on practice, real‑time feedback, and small‑class instruction.
Pricing (transparent, no hidden costs)
- BLS – $169.95
- ACLS – $225 (or PALS – $225)
- BLS + ACLS – $274 (save $120)
- BLS + ACLS + PALS – $474.95 (save $274)
Where are classes held?
- Multiple locations across the South; night classes are offered at the Melissa, TX site.
- Students travel from Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Hawaii, Florida, etc., because of our efficiency and reputation.
How small are the classes?
- Limited enrollment per session ensures personalized guidance, hands‑on practice, and immediate feedback.
What if I need help with the pre‑course?
- Our team contacts you by phone within 24 hours of registration, walks you through login steps, and is available for any questions.
Why choose Ella Med over cheaper competitors?
- Time saved: Faster, AHA‑approved courses.
- Quality retained: Interactive, engaging, and fully compliant instruction.
- No hidden fees: Everything you need is bundled.
- Community impact: 10 % of revenue supports local charities (food, housing, women’s shelters, free CPR training for new parents).
How do I register?
- Choose a course and preferred date/time on our website.
- Pay the listed fee (all‑inclusive).
- Expect a phone call within 24 hrs with pre‑course instructions.
What if I have special scheduling needs?
- We offer flexible morning, afternoon, and evening slots. Contact us directly to discuss custom arrangements.
Who can I contact for more information?
- Email: ellamed.org@yahoo.com Note: Please provide your phone number and best time to contact and we will promptly get back with you during business hours.
Why Ella Med’s Courses Are the Shortest Possible While Staying Fully AHA‑Compliant
1. The Core Principle Behind Every Class
At Ella Med we design every training session around the minimum instructional time that the American Heart Association (AHA) permits for a given certification. The AHA publishes precise “minimum required minutes” for each course component—lecture, skill practice, scenario simulation, and testing. Those minutes are non‑negotiable; they guarantee that every participant receives the knowledge and hands‑on experience needed to perform life‑saving interventions safely and effectively.
Our job is to pack those required minutes into the most efficient schedule possible. By eliminating any extraneous downtime, redundant explanations, or unnecessary administrative steps, we can deliver a course that:
- Meets 100 % of AHA curriculum requirements
- Uses every minute of classroom time for learning or practice
- Leaves participants confident, competent, and ready to act
2. Exact In‑Person Durations (All Times Include Required Breaks)
Certification
Minimum AHA‑mandated instructional minutes*
Typical in‑person classroom time at Ella Med
How we achieve it
Basic Life Support (BLS)
~240 min (4 hrs)
4 – 6 hours
• Streamlined lecture slides<br>• Immediate transition to skill stations<br>• Integrated scenario drills that count toward both practice and assessment
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
~480 min (8 hrs) for recertification; up to 720 min (12 hrs) for initial certification
8 – 12 hours (initial)<br>≈ 8 hours (recert)
• Parallel tracks for medication dosing & rhythm recognition<br>• Rapid‑cycle debriefs that replace lengthy separate review sessions
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Same minimum minutes as ACLS (8 – 12 hrs)
8 – 12 hours (initial)<br>≈ 8 hours (recert)
• Age‑specific scenario bundles that satisfy both pediatric theory and hands‑on practice in one flow
Combined BLS + ACLS + PALS
Sum of individual minima ≈ 1,200 min (20 hrs) but overlapping content (e.g., basic airway, CPR fundamentals) can be taught once
≈ 7.5 hours in a single day
• Integrated curriculum where shared concepts are taught once and then applied to adult, cardiac, and pediatric contexts<br>• Consolidated skill stations that rotate groups through adult and pediatric mannequins without repeating identical steps
*The AHA’s “minimum minutes” are broken down into categories such as “lecture,” “skill practice,” “simulation,” and “testing.” Ella Med respects each category; we simply remove idle time between them.
3. How We Squeeze the Hours Without Cutting Content
Step
What Traditional Programs Do
What Ella Med Does Differently
Pre‑Course Work
Often optional, delivered weeks ahead, leading to uneven preparation.
Mandatory, online AHA pre‑course completed within 24 hrs of registration; ensures every student arrives ready, allowing us to skip introductory overviews.
Lecture Delivery
Long PowerPoint decks with repetitive bullet points.
Focused micro‑lectures that cover exactly the AHA‑required concepts, followed immediately by practice.
Skill Stations
One‑by‑one, long waiting periods for equipment.
Parallel stations with enough mannequins/defibrillators for each small group, so practice time is continuous.
Scenario Simulations
Separate “case study” sessions after all skills are done.
Integrated simulations woven throughout the day; each scenario counts toward both skill practice and assessment, eliminating a dedicated “review” block.
Testing
Written exam at the end, then a separate practical test.
Combined written/practical assessment where the final scenario serves as the practical test, satisfying AHA testing requirements in a single flow.
Breaks
Long coffee breaks that extend total class time.
Strategic 10‑minute micro‑breaks scheduled exactly when cognitive load peaks, keeping the overall clock within the AHA minimum.
Bring your lunch you can also eat during class.
4. Benefits to the Learner
- Time Savings – A typical multi‑day provider may require 22 + hours spread over 2‑3 days. Ella Med compresses that into a single day (or two half‑days for recerts), freeing up clinicians to return to patient care sooner.
- Higher Retention – Learning in a continuous, high‑focus environment reduces the “forgetting curve.” Immediate practice after each concept reinforces memory.
- Cost Efficiency – Fewer calendar days mean lower travel, lodging, and opportunity‑cost expenses for busy professionals.
- Confidence Boost – Because every minute is purposeful, participants finish with hands‑on mastery rather than lingering doubts caused by rushed or fragmented instruction.
- Compliance Assurance – The AHA audits all courses against its minute‑by‑minute checklist. Ella Med’s curriculum passes every audit because we never drop below the mandated minutes.
5. Real‑World Example: How the 7.5‑Hour Combined Course Works
Time Block
Activity
AHA Requirement Met
0:00‑0:30
Rapid pre‑course quiz recap (online)
Lecture minutes (mandatory)
0:30‑1:15
Adult BLS core (CPR, AED)
Skill practice (adult)
1:15‑2:00
Pediatric BLS core (infant/child CPR)
Skill practice (pediatric)
2:00‑2:10
Micro‑break (hydration)
Break minutes
2:10‑3:00
ACLS rhythm recognition & drug dosing (simulation)
Lecture + scenario
3:00‑3:45
PALS airway & ventilation (simulation)
Skill practice (pediatric)
3:45‑4:00
Micro‑break
Break minutes
4:00‑5:30
Integrated adult & pediatric cardiac arrest scenarios (team‑based)
Scenario simulation + testing
5:30‑6:00
Debrief, Q&A, final written quiz
Assessment (written)
6:00‑6:30
Practical skills check (certification)
Practical test
6:30‑7:30
Optional “advanced tips” (electrocardiogram interpretation, leadership) – still within AHA‑allowed optional minutes
Enrichment (not required)
7:30‑7:45
Closing remarks, certificate issuance
Administrative closure
Total core required minutes = 450 min (7.5 hrs). The optional enrichment segment stays within the AHA’s allowance for “additional content” and does not affect compliance.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (Expanded)
Q: How can a combined BLS + ACLS + PALS course be shorter than each individual course?
A: Many concepts overlap (basic airway, CPR, rhythm basics). By teaching those once and then applying them to adult, cardiac, and pediatric contexts, we eliminate duplicate instruction. The AHA permits this “integrated delivery” as long as each competency is demonstrated separately, which we accomplish through distinct skill stations and scenario variations.
Q: Will I miss anything important by taking a compressed course?
A: No. The AHA’s minimum‑minute requirements are designed to capture all essential knowledge and skills. Our curriculum meets every one of those minutes. The only thing you gain is less idle time, not less learning.
Q: What if I need more time to practice a particular skill?
A: Each class maintains a low student‑to‑instructor ratio (max 6‑8 learners per instructor). If you need extra practice, instructors are available before/after class or during scheduled office hours at no additional charge.
Q: Are recertifications really that fast?
A: Recertifications omit the longer theory refreshers required for first‑time learners, leaving only the practical skill refresh and a brief knowledge update. That brings the total down to roughly 8 hours for ACLS/PALS recerts, still fully compliant.
Q: How do you verify that the course truly meets AHA standards?
A: Every Ella Med class undergoes an internal audit that cross‑checks our agenda against the AHA’s published minute‑by‑minute checklist. Additionally, the AHA conducts periodic external reviews of our curriculum; we have maintained a clean compliance record since inception.
7. Bottom Line
- Shortest possible duration = AHA‑mandated minimum minutes – no more, no less.
- Full compliance = every required lecture, skill practice, scenario, and assessment is present.
- Efficiency = strategic sequencing, parallel skill stations, integrated simulations, and mandatory pre‑course work.
- Value = you earn the same certification in half the time (or less) that most providers require, without sacrificing any of the knowledge or hands‑on proficiency the AHA expects.
If you’re looking for a training solution that respects your time, your budget, and the rigorous standards of the AHA, Ella Med’s accelerated courses are the answer.